Strong interest in Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026 – and Vasaloppet is getting a new route

“It’s encouraging to see these numbers. We’re seeing an increase in nearly all races and, right now, interest is especially high for Tjejvasan and Öppet Spår Sunday. With the level of interest we have at the moment, it looks like several Winter Week 2026 races might reach their maximum capacity for the start line,” says Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet.

There are still start places available for the 102nd Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 1. Registration activity has been higher this autumn than at the same time last year, and current forecasts indicate that Vasaloppet will sell out earlier than last year. A clear increase can be seen among participants skiing Vasaloppet for the first time.
“Right now, we’re seeing an 11 percent increase in first-time Vasaloppet participants compared with the same time last year. Internally, we’ve called it the ‘Mot alla odds’ effect, since we saw a big spike in first-time signups right after the television team, led by Gunde Svan, crossed the finish line in last winter’s Vasaloppet. It’s a trend that seems to be continuing,” says Johan Eriksson.

Overall participation statistics currently show that more people are taking part for the first time, the average age has dropped in several races, and the number of female participants is increasing. The exercise trend seen in several running events – where young women are the group growing fastest in both marathons and half-marathons – seems to be spreading to cross-country skiing as well.
“It’s a positive development and an exciting one for both Vasaloppet and the sport of skiing. We’re now preparing to welcome both new and returning participants. The last few winter events have been challenging, with mild temperatures and soft tracks, and we’re continuing our efforts with the Vasaloppet Arena to offer participants the best possible conditions,” says Johan Eriksson.

This autumn’s work in the arena has included rerouting parts of the Vasaloppet track. One challenging section has been just before the first checkpoint in Smågan, where water has seeped up through the marshes during mild weather. From winter 2026 onwards, the final kilometre leading to the Smågan checkpoint will have a new route to avoid several water crossings.
“The total distance remains unchanged, but if we get temperatures above freezing, participants will have a better experience, and much drier feet,” says Johan Eriksson.

Only a few times in the 2000s has the temperature at the Vasaloppet start in Sälen been above freezing when the race starts. In connection with the critical start area around Åstjärnen, several minor preventive measures have now been taken to stop water from seeping through if the weather turns mild.
“If it gets warm this year, we’re prepared to slightly widen the start field in a few areas where we would otherwise have to narrow it significantly to avoid the water,” says Johan Eriksson.

Closer to Mora, another course adjustment of about one kilometre is being made, mainly thanks to the municipality’s work on a new roller ski track at Mora Ski Stadium in Hemus.
“The Vasaloppet track heading into Mora Ski Stadium will now pass through more undulating terrain, and participants will ski straight towards the stadium rather than looping around it as before. It will also make the area more accessible to spectators, which we believe will create a great atmosphere and give the skiers an extra boost of energy at the end of the race,” says Johan Eriksson, who will personally test the new sections when he skis Öppet Spår Monday 90 on February 23 as part of ‘The Johan Eriksson Vasaloppet Challenge’.

“You can feel the ski fever rising across the country as the season approaches,” says Johan Eriksson.