The Ski Classics Challengers winter season 2025/2026 kicked off last weekend with the Gastein Classics in Austria. Here is the confirmed calendar for the upcoming winter months, and how to qualify for the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII got off to an exciting start last weekend as the world’s best Pro Tour athletes competed in the opening events, the Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo and the Bad Gastein Criterium. At the same time, the Ski Classics Challengers season began, with the Gastein Classics marking the start of the 2025/2026 winter calendar.
After a successful opening weekend, here is everything you need to know about the Ski Classics Challengers circuit this winter and how recreational skiers can qualify for the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja Season XVII through Challengers events.
The Ski Classics Challengers circuit continues to grow and has become a significant success worldwide. For Season XVII, several events have been added to the calendar across multiple countries.
Below is an overview of Ski Classics Challengers events held earlier in the winter season, during the summer, and those with confirmed dates for the 2025/2026 winter season. The list is continuously updated as new events are added.
Ski Classics Challengers Events Season XVII
- Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon Classics/CAN – April 5, 2025
- Sovereign 2 SilverStar Ski Marathon Skating/CAN – April 6, 2025
- Lapponia Ski Week/FIN – April 7-11, 2025
- Tanumsloppet/SWE – August 16, 2025
- Vaajmarathon/SWE – August 16, 2025
- Kangaroo Hoppet/AUS – August 23, 2025
- Merino Muster/NZL – August 29, 2025
- Alliansloppet/SWE – August 30, 2025
- Värnamorullen/SWE – September 6, 2025
- Ring Frei/AUT – September 14, 2025
- Klarälvsloppet/SWE – September 21, 2025
- Båstad-Mölle/SWE – September 29, 2025
- Energamo Lipnolopet/CZE – October 4, 2025
- Gastein Classics/AUT – December 13, 2025
- Vasaloppet China/CHN – January 4, 2026
- Marathon International de Bessans/FRA – January 10, 2026
- Craft Ski Marathon/SWE – January 11, 2026
- Dachsteinlauf/AUT – January 11, 2026
- La Saireda Roseg/SUI – January 15, 2026
- Moraloppet/SWE – January 17, 2026
- Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina Classic – January 17, 2026
- Granfondo Dobbiaco/Toblach – Cortina Skating – January 18, 2026
- La Sfida/SUI – January 18, 2026
- Subaru Skadi Loppet/GER – January 25, 2026
- Südtirol Moonlight Classic Seiser Alm/ITA – January 30, 2026
- Västgötaloppet Skate/SWE – January 31, 2026
- Billingens Långlopp/SWE – January 31, 2026
- La Savoyarde Marathon/FRA – February 1, 2026
- Wadköpingsloppet/SWE – February 1, 2026
- Marcia Gran Paradiso/ITA – February 1, 2026
- Marxa Beret/ESP – February 1, 2026
- Västgötaloppet Classic/SWE – February 1, 2026
- König Ludwig Lauf/GER – February 1, 2026
- Thorleif Haugs Minneløp/NOR – February 7, 2026
- La Transjurassienne Classic/FRA – February 7, 2026
- Finlandia Ski Marathon Classic/FIN – February 7, 2026
- Alutaguse Marathon/EST – February 8, 2026
- La Transjurassienne Skating/FRA – February 8, 2026
- Finlandia Ski Marathon Freestyle/FIN – February 8, 2026
- Furusjøen Rundt-Rennet/NOR – February 14, 2026
- Holmenkollmarsjen/NOR – February 14, 2026
- Bessemerloppet/SWE – February 15, 2026
- Skinnarloppet/SWE – February 15, 2026
- Les Belles Combes/FRA – February 15, 2026
- Tjejvasan/SWE – February 21, 2026
- American Birkebeiner/USA – February 21, 2026
- Zelta Klasika 50/LVA – February 22, 2026
- Gsiesertal Lauf Classics/ITA – February 28, 2026
- Gsiesertal Lauf Skating/ITA – March 1, 2026
- Flyktningerennet/NOR-SWE – March 21, 2026
Ski Classics Challengers Events – Season XVIII
According to the Ski Classics Rules & Regulations, the Ski Classics Challengers season runs from March 24, 2025, to March 22, 2026. As a result, Season XVIII begins already at the end of March 2026 with several Challengers events:
- Arctic Circle Race/GRL – March 27-29, 2026
- Nordenskiöldsloppet/SWE – March 28, 2026
- Blåvegenløpet/NOR – March 28, 2026
- Lofsdalen Epic/SWE – March 28, 2026
- Sovereign 2 SilverStar Marathon – Classic/CAN – April 4, 2026
- Sovereign 2 SilverStar Marathon – Skate/CAN – April 5, 2026
- Kobberløpet/NOR – April 11, 2026
- Tana-Varangerrennet/NOR – April 18, 2026
- Fossavatnsgangan/ISL – April 18, 2026
- Båstad-Mölle/SWE – September 12, 2026
How to qualify for the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja Season XVII
Ski Classics concludes Season XVII with the Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja, taking place from Bardufoss to Finnsnes in northern Norway on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Recreational skiers can qualify for the event by participating in Ski Classics Pro Tour or Challengers events.
Once again, recreational skiers have the opportunity to take part in the unique Summit 2 Senja adventure, the Grand Finale of Ski Classics Season XVII. Below you can find details on how to earn the Grand Finale Qualifier Pin, information about the event, qualification criteria, and registration.
The Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja is the 13th and final Pro Tour event of Season XVII. Pro Team athletes and their teams will be present to celebrate the season finale on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Recreational skiers can also be part of this special event.
Grand Finale Qualifier Pin
There will be a limited 250 starting spots available for recreational skiers, in addition to the Pro Team athletes. To be eligible to register, skiers must meet one of the following during Season XVII:
- Complete one Ski Classics Pro Tour event within the winner’s time + 50%, or
- Complete two Ski Classics Challengers events within the same time limit.
Skiers who meet the qualification criteria will receive a Grand Finale Qualifier Pin on their SC MyPages, which grants access to registration.
Registration
Once the Qualifier Pin appears on SC MyPages, skiers can register via SC Events → All Ski Classics Events. Due to limited spots, early registration is strongly recommended.
Also Read: Ski Classics Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Qualification now open to all skiers
Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
- 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, 55km
- 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: Newspower.it
