The Ski Classics Challengers summer program kicks off this weekend, with 11 events scheduled between July and October 2026 across Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.
While most of the calendar features roller ski races across Scandinavia, France, Austria, and the Czech Republic, two events take place on snow during the Southern Hemisphere winter: the Kangaroo Hoppet in Australia and the Merino Muster in New Zealand.
As Ski Classics Challengers events, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics World Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders. Recreational skiers participating in Challengers events can qualify for the Ski Classics Grand Finale Season XVIII, giving up to 250 participants the chance to take part in the season’s closing event alongside the Pro Teams.
Also Read: Ski Classics Grand Finale Season XVIII
Summer Ski Classics Challengers – Season XVIII
- July 5: Tiera Taivalkoski – Syöte Challenger, 40km classic, Taivalkoski, Finland
- July 26: Hautdoubsloppet, 42km classic, Oye-et-Pallet, France
- August 8: Vaajmarathon, 44km classic, Rötviken, Sweden
- August 15: Kangaroo Hoppet, 42km free, Falls Creek, Australia
- August 15: Tanumsloppet, 40km classic, Tanumshede, Sweden
- August 22: Merino Muster, 42km free, Wanaka, New Zealand
- August 29: Alliansloppet, 48km classic, Trollhättan, Sweden
- August 30: Ring Frei, 42km free, Salzburg, Austria
- September 5: Värnamorullen, 40km classic, Värnamo, Sweden
- September 20: Klarälvsloppet, 90km classic, Karlstad, Sweden
- October 3: Energamo Lipnolopet, 55km classic, Frýdava, Czech Republic
Ski Classics Challengers – Facts
Tiera Taivalkoski–Syöte Challenger
- Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Location: Taivalkoski
- Country: Finland
- Distance: 40km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Tiera Taivalkoski–Syöte Challenger
- Instagram: Tiera Taivalkoski–Syöte Challenger
- Facebook: Tiera Taivalkoski–Syöte Challenger
More information about the event can be found HERE
Hautdoubsloppet
- Date: Sunday, July 26, 2026
- Location: Oye-et-Pallet
- Country: France
- Distance: 42km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Hautdoubsloppet
- Instagram: Hautdoubsloppet
- Facebook: Hautdoubsloppet
More information about the event can be found HERE
Vaajmarathon
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Location: Rötviken
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 44km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Vaajmarathon
- Instagram: Vaajmarathon
- Facebook: Vaajmarathon
More information about the event can be found HERE
Kangaroo Hoppet
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Location: Falls Creek
- Country: Australia
- Distance: 42km
- Technique: Ski free
- Website: Kangaroo Hoppet
- Instagram: Kangaroo Hoppet
- Facebook: Kangaroo Hoppet
More information about the event can be found HERE
Tanumsloppet
- Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
- Location: Tanumshede
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 40km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Tanumsloppet
- Instagram: Tanumsloppet
- Facebook: Tanumsloppet
More information about the event can be found HERE
Merino Muster
- Date: Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Location: Wanaka
- Country: New Zealand
- Distance: 42km
- Technique: Ski free
- Website: Merino Muster
- Instagram: Merino Muster
- Facebook: Merino Muster
More information about the event can be found HERE
Alliansloppet
- Date: Saturday, August 29, 2026
- Location: Trollhättan
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 48km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Alliansloppet
- Instagram: Alliansloppet
- Facebook: Alliansloppet
More information about the event can be found HERE
Ring Frei
- Date: Sunday, August 30, 2026
- Location: Salzburg
- Country: Austria
- Distance: 42km
- Technique: Roller ski free
- Website: Ring Frei
- Instagram: Ring Frei
- Facebook: Ring Frei
More information about the event can be found HERE
Värnamorullen
- Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Location: Värnamo
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 40km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Värnamorullen
- Instagram: Värnamorullen
- Facebook: Värnamorullen
More information about the event can be found HERE
Klarälvsloppet
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Location: Karlstad
- Country: Sweden
- Distance: 90km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Klarälvsloppet
- Instagram: Klarälvsloppet
- Facebook: Klarälvsloppet
More information about the event can be found HERE
Energamo Lipnolopet
- Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Location: Frýdava
- Country: Czech Republic
- Distance: 55km
- Technique: Roller ski classic
- Website: Energamo Lipnolopet
- Instagram: Energamo Lipnolopet
- Facebook: Energamo Lipnolopet
More information about the event can be found HERE
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: Fredrik Karlsson/SolstaFoto
