Ski trails ready – with a change on the first slope
90 km of ski trails stand ready to be used by 66,000 participants over the next two weeks and, judging by the weather forecasts, the conditions will be the best we've seen in several years. The races starting in Sälen will have a new minor improvement on the first slope.
”In the Vasaloppet Arena there are now 90 km of groomed ski trails of very fine quality between Sälen and Mora – and the weather forecast looks great as far ahead as we can see. It’s going to be a fantastic Winter Week 2016,” says Arena Manager Anders Hobbe Holmberg.
The use of mobile snow cannons which we told you of last week has been very successful and it’s something that Vasaloppet will continue to develop. It’s good for the tracks and better for the environment with fewer snow transports.
Change on the first slope – Berga by
The warm weather these past two years made it a struggle to get up the first slope after the start in Berga by. Sloppy ski tracks meant that many had to herringbone/scissor for long stretches, and there has been very slow movement in steep sections. That’s why the first right curve, where the trails split after crossing the road, will now be removed. Instead we will have a single trail with all the skiers together.
The reason for this is that the ”right lane” is steeper which leads to more pressure if a queue forms, and when skiers make their way back into the regular trail there is a lot of crowding which results in broken ski poles. This measure will not have any bearing on mobility but it will still give positive effects – there will simply be more standing still on the flat sections instead of on the steep incline.
We are approaching 66,000 registered participants for the Winter Week. There are still start places available in certain races, for those that want to take the opportunity to ski in great conditions. We closed online registration at midnight February 23, but from the afternoon of Wednesday, February 24, it will be possible to register on location.
