The Ski Classics Challengers event Ring Frei is a long-distance roller ski race in freestyle technique taking place this Sunday, August 30, at the Salzburgring in Salzburg, Austria.
On Sunday, August 30, the long-distance roller ski race Ring Frei will take place in Austria and for another year as a Ski Classics Challengers event.
Where stars like Michael Schumacher, Niki Lauda, and Helmut Marko, and many others, took their first rounds in race cars and on motorcycles, the Salzburgring hosts a unique long-distance roller ski event in the narrow Alpine valley close to the city of Salzburg.
The main event is a 42km/30km freestyle race open to men and women, with a 30km classic technique option also available for recreational skiers. A youth category for those born between 2009 and 2016 is also available.
According to organizer Markus Förmer, the event is about more than roller skiing alone. He points out that the Salzburgring weekend also offers a range of other sports, including hockey, parallel slalom, skateboarding, and kickboarding.
Förmer explains that what makes Ring Frei stand out is the width of the track: at 12 meters, the road is likely one of the widest used for a race of this kind anywhere, which is precisely what allows so many different wheel sports to share the same space. He describes it as a meeting day for all kinds of wheel sports, and a chance for participants to share their passion with others.
The event is also open to those who prefer not to race. According to Förmer, the track is available for training in the morning until 9:30 CEST, and again from 13:30 CEST once the race has finished, with training free of charge. He notes that this is the one occasion each year when roller skiers can officially train on the Salzburgring track.
Ring Frei 2026 – Ski Classics Challengers
- Date: August 30, 2026
- Location: Salzburgring, Salzburg, Austria
- Distances: 42km/30km roller ski freestyle (men and women)
- Website: ring-frei.eu
- Facebook: Ring Frei
- Instagram: Ring Frei
- Registration: Ring Frei
For more information, visit the Ski Classics Challengers event page.
The story continues below.
The best moments of Ring Frei 2025
Video Credits: Bojan Tufegdzic/Ring Frei
As the Ring Frei is a Ski Classics Challengers event, 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 with confirmed dates for Season 2026/2027 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Michael Geissler/Ring Frei
