This weekend, the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII continues with Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Here is all the information you need to know before the traditional Swedish Grand Classics event.

Vasaloppet

The legendary 90-kilometer long-distance ski race between Sälen and Mora in Sweden stands as the oldest, longest, and most prestigious event on the Pro Tour calendar. The event marks the seventh Ski Classics stage and the third Grand Classics event of Season XVII.

As one of the true pillars of long-distance skiing, Vasaloppet gathers thousands of skiers at the same starting area each year, offering both professional and recreational athletes a chance to write their own page in ski history.

First held in 1922 and inspired by Gustav Vasa’s historic journey in 1520, the race now attracts global attention, uniting tradition, culture, and elite competition in a single event.

Last season, Stina Nilsson and Alvar Myhlback triumphed on the snowy tracks, with Myhlback also becoming the youngest-ever male winner of Vasaloppet. In 2026, all eyes will be on who can follow in their tracks and add their name to the sport’s most coveted winners list.

With a total elevation gain of 948 meters and a highest point of 526 meters above sea level, the race demands endurance, tactical awareness, and strength, rewarding those who can handle the fast-paced mass start and the decisive run into Mora.

This year, weather conditions may add another layer of intrigue. Forecasts indicate mild temperatures and possibly a little rain on Friday and Saturday, followed by a drop to between minus 5 and minus 10 degrees Celsius on race morning.

If the surface freezes overnight and creates firm, compact tracks, the course could become exceptionally fast. The current records are held by Tord Asle Gjerdalen, who clocked 3:28:18 in 2021, and Astrid Øyre Slind, who set the women’s record at 3:50:06 in 2022. Should the forecast hold, this year’s edition could develop into one of the fastest Vasaloppet races in history.

Map & Profile

Vasaloppet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 7

• Date: Sunday, March 1, 2026
• Location: Sälen-Mora, Sweden
• Distance: 90km Classic Technique
• Start Time: 8:00 CET Women & Men
• Climb: Högsta Punkten (3km)
• Sprints: Smågan (11km) and Evertsberg (48km)
• Highest Point: 526m
• Elevation Gain: 948m
• Last Edition Winners: Stina Nilsson (3:54:00.6) and Alvar Myhlback (3:28:45.7)
• SC Play: Vasaloppet

More information about Vasaloppet can be found HERE

Vasaloppet program, starts lists, live timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be foundHERE and HERE

Ski Classics Live Sessions

On Wednesday, February 25, the Live Sessions with Pro Team athletes ahead of the Vasaloppet will be broadcast live on the streaming platform SC Play from 15:00 CET.

Ski Classics Live Sessions is a live-streamed press conference format where journalists, fans, sponsors, and community members can meet top athletes and key figures before every Pro Tour weekend. The stream is available live and on demand to the entire Ski Classics community.

WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Important names of the Ski Classics Pro Tour are taking part in the Live Sessions today.

Swedish Traditions at their Best

Beyond the competition, Vasaloppet is deeply rooted in Swedish culture. Sälen, the starting location of Vasaloppet, is Sweden’s most popular alpine ski area, renowned for its numerous alpine ski resorts. The oldest of them is Högfjällshotellet, built in 1937 and still one of the most popular vacation destinations in the area.

Mora, the iconic finish location, blends folk traditions with modern flair, offering visitors a taste of local heritage, from its Dalahäst wooden horses to its renowned craftsmanship and vibrant downtown cafés.

More than a race, Vasaloppet is a week-long celebration with activities and competitions for all ages, welcoming elite athletes and recreational skiers from around the world.

Grand Classics

The Grand Classics are the four most significant and prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier who 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 a great motivation among the best Ski Classics Pro Team athletes. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing.

Ski Classics Fantasy

The Ski Classics Fantasy League for Season XVII is underway. Manage your own Fantasy Team, win prizes, and compete for the Fantasy Champion title.

SKI CLASSICS FANTASY – PLAY HERE

All TV Channels Season XVII

Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics Pro Tour events this winter:

• SC Play – Worldwide (English commentary)
• SVT – Sweden
• NRK – Norway
• Warner Bros. Discovery – Finland
• Sporty TV – Czech Republic
• TVP – Poland
• Servus TV – Austria/Germany/Switzerland
• beIN Sports – Canada/USA
• Fox Sports – Australia
• TRT – Turkey
• TV3 Baltic – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries.

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com

Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Daniel Eriksson/Bildbyran