Västgötaloppet becomes part of the Ski Classics Challengers circuit with two long-distance skiing events in Ulricehamn, Sweden – the 42km Skate on Saturday, January 31, and the 42km Classic on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Registrations open soon!
A true Swedish classic, Västgötaloppet was first held in 1929 between Ulricehamn and Borås and is one of Sweden’s oldest and most popular long-distance ski races. Today, the event takes place at the modern Lassalyckan Vasaloppet Center in Ulricehamn, featuring excellent facilities, long artificial snow tracks, and a festive atmosphere.
Each winter, the Västgötaloppet Classic attracts around 1,000 participants and serves as one of Sweden’s largest seeding races for both Vasaloppet and Tjejvasan. With its scenic and spectator-friendly course, excellent service, and welcoming environment, the event offers the perfect mix of competition and community for elite and recreational skiers alike.
The Västgötaloppet Skate, introduced in 2025, quickly became a success. It stands out as one of the few pure long-distance races in the world using freestyle technique. Both the Classic and Skate races share the same 42km course at Lassalyckan, allowing participants to choose their preferred style while enjoying the same exciting atmosphere and high-quality organization.
Over the years, Västgötaloppet has evolved into more than just a race — it’s a whole winter festival, the Västgötaloppet Winter Weekend, offering sprint and relay events that draw skiers, families, and companies for a memorable snow experience.
“The classic Västgötaloppet in Ulricehamn, soon celebrating its 100th anniversary, is not only one of Sweden’s oldest long-distance ski races but also one of the most appreciated. Each year, Västgötaloppet receives top ratings from participants for its professionalism and friendly atmosphere — not only for the race itself but also for everything surrounding the event, where every participant, from elite to recreational, feels valued.”
“Since 1929, Västgötaloppet has been organized under the motto ‘only the best is good enough.” Over time, this has built a sustainable and highly regarded event, and we are now very proud to have accepted the invitation from Ski Classics Challengers to become part of the Ski Classics family.”
The LOC continues:
“Joining Ski Classics marks an important milestone for our historic race. Together with the Ski Classics organization, we now have the opportunity to take the event to the next level — developing it into an even more professional and appreciated competition for the growing number of skiers who value that “only the best is good enough.”
The organizers look forward to welcoming skiers to Ulricehamn and sharing the event’s long tradition and strong community spirit.
With a history spanning nearly a century and a clear vision for the future, Västgötaloppet continues to inspire generations of skiers to challenge themselves and celebrate the joy of winter sports.
REGISTER HERE
Västgötaloppet 42km Skate and 42km Classic
- Date: January 31, 2026 – 42km Skate and February 1, 2026 – 42km Classic
- Location: Ulricehamn
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 42km
- Technique: Skate and Classic
- Website: Västgötaloppet Winter Weekend
- Facebook: Västgötaloppet Winter Weekend
- Instagram: Västgötaloppet Winter Weekend
As Västgötaloppet 42km Skate and 42km Classic are Ski Classics Challengers events, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders.
A list of Ski Classics Challengers events in Sweden with confirmed dates for the winter season 2025/2026 can be found below:
- Craft Ski Marathon – January 11, 2026, 42km Classic
- Moraloppet – January 17, 2026, 42km Classic
- Billingens Långlopp – January 31, 2026, 40km Classic
- Västgötaloppet Skate – January 31, 2026, 42km Free
- Västgötaloppet Classic – February 1, 2026, 42km Classic
- Wadköpingsloppet – February 1, 2026, 40km Classic
- Bessemerloppet – February 15, 2026, 52km Classic
- Skinnarloppet – February 15, 2026, 45km Classic
- Tjejvasan – February 21, 2026, 30km Classic
- Lofsdalen Epic – March 28, 2026, 55km Classic
- Nordenskiöldsloppet – March 28, 2026, 220km Classic
A complete and continuously updated list of Ski Classics Challengers events can be found at Ski Classics.
All participants in Ski Classics, Pro Tour, or Challengers events — both professional and recreational skiers — can link their profiles to the Ski Classics results database, known as MyPages.
MyPages can be connected when subscribing to the Ski Classics online community proxcskiing.com. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.
One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live, updated international ranking that uniquely combines women and men, professional and recreational skiers in one single list.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo/Image: Västgötaloppet
