A new efficient pre-activation method for the highly alpha-stereoselective glycosylation of 2-deoxysugars and 2,6-dideoxysugars has been developed using 2-deoxy- and 2,6-dideoxythioglycosides as glycosyl donors. The approach allows a wide range of glycosyl acceptors and donors to be used; the alpha-selectivity is very good to excellent.