Vasaloppet, the tenth event in the Ski Classics Pro Tour and another Grand Classics event of Season XVI, takes place this Sunday, March 2, from Sälen to Mora, in Sweden. Here is everything you need to know before the historical and traditional skiing event.
VASALOPPET
On Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Pro Tour continues with Vasaloppet. Covering a challenging 90-kilometer course, the event marks the tenth Ski Classics stage and another Grand Classics event of Season XVI.
Dating back to its inception, the 90-kilometer race held on the first Sunday of March has earned its place as the oldest and most prestigious event within the Ski Classics circuit. For Pro Team athletes, securing victory in this grueling long-distance mass start race is the ultimate dream.
In 2025, the iconic Vasaloppet celebrates its 101st edition in a true Folkfest. Many skiers say it is the most prestigious of all long-distance skiing events. It will also mark 100 years since the first radio broadcast from Vasaloppet, the first Swedish national radio broadcast from a sporting event.
Also Read: Vasaloppet – March starts with the third Grand Classics of Season XVI
COURSE MAP & PROFILE
FACTS
- Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
- Location: From Sälen to Mora, Sweden
- Distance: 90km Classic Technique
- Start Time: 8:00 CET for Women and Men
- SC Sprints: 2
- Smågan: 11km
- Evertsberg: 48km
- SC Climbs: 1
- Högsta Punkten: 3km
- Total Ascent: 948m
- Last Edition Winners: Emilie Fleten (4:23:06.7) and Torleif Syrstad (3:52:43.7)
- Website: Vasaloppet
- SC Play: Vasaloppet
Vasaloppet program, start lists (when available), live timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be found HERE and HERE
Vasaloppet is not just the biggest ski race in the world; it’s also one of the most significant sports events globally. The brand has evolved into an institution with several events and activities in its annual Summer and Winter weeks.
Since 1922, over 1.8 million participants have crossed Vasaloppet’s finish line portal. The race’s saga goes back to 1520, depicting the tale of Gustav Eriksson Vasa, who rebelled against Denmark and eventually became the first King of free Sweden.
A POPULAR MOUNTAIN DESTINATION
Sälen, the start location of Vasaloppet, is Sweden’s most popular alpine ski area, known for its seven alpine ski resorts. The oldest of them is Högfjällshotellet, which was built in 1937 and remained one of the most popular vacation destinations in the area.
Many mountain huts also serve waffles, snacks, and hot drinks, which Vasaloppet participants can enjoy before the long journey from Sälen to Mora.
SWEDISH TRADITION AT ITS BEST
Of course, Mora is world-famous as the finish location of Vasaloppet, but it is much more. There is a very idyllic Scandinavian-style downtown area with boutiques, cafés with Swedish’ fika,’ great diners, and restaurants serving local dishes.
The town is also known for its Mora knives and longcase clocks. Everyone also knows the area’s symbol: “Dalahäst,” a traditional carved, painted wooden statue of a horse originating in the Swedish province of Dalarna. IFK Mora is one of the most successful cross-country ski clubs in Sweden.
THIRD GRAND CLASSICS SEASON XVI
Vasaloppet is the third Grand Classics event this season. The Grand Classics are the four largest and most prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier that wins all four events in the same season completes a Grand Slam.
During Season XI, the Grand Classics events and the Grand Slam were introduced in Ski Classics. The concept was an immediate success and great motivation among the best Pro Team athletes of Ski Classics. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing.
Also Read: The Grand Classics Season XVI
SKI CLASSICS FANTASY
The Ski Classics Fantasy League for Season XVI is underway. Join the excitement of Ski Classics managing your own Fantasy Team. Win prizes throughout the season and chase the Fantasy champion title of Season XVI.
How to Play
- Go to Ski Classics Fantasy via https://fantasy.skiclassics.com/
- Login with your existing Fantasy account or create a new one
- Read through “HOW TO PLAY” to make sure you understand all the rules and new features.
- Go to “Team Selection” and choose/buy up to 10 athletes + 2 Cubs using your starting balance of 40.000 Fantasy dollars. Check out the start lists before each event to ensure your athletes are on the start line.
- Don’t forget to mark one of your athletes as a Team Captain!
- Go to “Leagues” and join an existing league or create your own to compete with your friends.
- Invite your friends and family to join you for free in an exciting battle for the win!
Have fun and may the best ski coach win!
Vasaloppet is just around the corner. Here is an overview of where to watch Ski Classics Pro Tour events this season.
- NRK – Norway
- SVT – Sweden
- Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) – Finland
- Sport Live – Denmark/Faroe Islands/Greenland
- Czech TV – Czech Republic
- TVP – Poland
- Servus TV – Austria/Germany/Switzerland
- beIN Sports – Canada/USA
- TRT – Turkey (highlights)
- SC Play – all countries (English commentary)
Season XVI of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events across 10 event weekends in 6 countries. It started in Bad Gastein, Austria, on December 13, 2024, with the Pro Team Presentation and ends in Finnsnes, Norway, with the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja on March 30, 2025.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI (2024/2025)
- Event 0: Friday, December 13, 2024 –Ski Classics Pro Team Presentation XVI – Bad Gastein, Austria
- Event 1: Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Bad Gastein ITT – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: Sunday, December 15, 2024 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: Saturday, January 11, 2025 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – Sexten, Italy, 60km
- Event 4: Sunday, January 12, 2025 – La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – Val Venosta, Italy, 11km
- Event 5: Saturday, January 18, 2025 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 43km
- Event 6: Sunday, January 26, 2025 – Marcialonga – Trentino, Italy, 70km
- Event 7: Sunday, February 9, 2025 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 8: Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Grönklitt Criterium 61 – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 61km
- Event 9: Sunday, February 16, 2025 – Grönklitt ITT – Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 13km
- Event 10: Sunday, March 2, 2025 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 11: Saturday, March 15, 2025 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 12: Saturday, March 22, 2025 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
- Event 13: Saturday, March 29, 2025 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 46km
- Event 14: Sunday, March 30, 2025 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com
When you become part of one of the world’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
