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Home » News » Vasaloppet introduces pace guides and extends the cut-off time at Smågan

Vasaloppet introduces pace guides and extends the cut-off time at Smågan

19 January 2026

For the 102nd Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 1, 2026, Vasaloppet is introducing two measures to make it easier for participants to meet the cut-off times – that is, the latest permitted times for passing each checkpoint – and thereby increasing their chances of reaching the finish in Mora. The changes include introducing pace guides and a 30-minute extension of the cut-off time at Smågan.

At the first Vasaloppet checkpoint, Smågan, located 11 kilometres from the start, the standard cut-off time will be extended by 30 minutes, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This is to help participants starting in the rear start groups. In Vasaloppet 2025, twelve percent of participants had to abandon the race, just over 200 of them at Smågan.

“The start at 08:00 in Berga by, with 15,000 skiers heading toward Mora, is iconic, but space is limited. Especially in the classic first climb after the road crossing. By extending the first cut-off time at Smågan, we hope to reduce stress, allow more skiers to continue their race, and hopefully make up some time once the track begins to spread out,” says Tommy Höglund, Sports Lead at Vasaloppet.

The second new measure for Vasaloppet 2026 is the introduction of pace guides; skiing functionaries wearing special vests and equipment who participants can follow to ensure they reach the next checkpoint before the cut-off rope. This concept is common in running events, where designated pacemakers help runners maintain a specific speed to achieve a target time. In Vasaloppet, their goal is to increase the number of skiers who make it to the finish in Mora.

“Cut-off times exist for safety reasons, but we know that they can be stressful, and we hope the introduction of pacemakers will create a greater sense of calm, as participants won’t need to keep checking the time. Hopefully, this will encourage more people to take the step and ski Vasaloppet. At present, there are still start positions available for this winter’s race,” says Tommy Höglund.

Vasaloppet’s new pace guides will enter the course after the highest point of the first climb and ski at the pace required to meet the cut-off time for the next checkpoint.

“The pace guides will be in close contact with checkpoint managers and medical staff to know exactly what pace to maintain, and of course they will also encourage and guide participants on the course. For now, these changes apply only to Vasaloppet. After the event, we will evaluate the setup and decide how to proceed in the future,” Tommy Höglund explains.

FACTS / Cut-off times in Vasaloppet 2026
Cut-off times are in place for everyone’s safety; they are the latest times at which participants may pass each Vasaloppet checkpoint. Each checkpoint must be cleared ten minutes after the cut-off time. Participants who arrive too late must abort their race and they will be transported by bus to Mora. Those who pass within the cut-off times are allowed to continue the race. In extreme conditions or if circumstances change, race management reserves the right to adjust the cut-off times.

Cut-off times in Vasaloppet 2026
Smågan: 11:00
Mångsbodarna: 12:15
Risberg: 13:45
Evertsberg: 15:00
Oxberg: 16:30
Hökberg: 17:40
Eldris: 19:00

Vasaloppet’s Winter Week 2026 – cross country skiing

Friday, February 20, Vasaloppet 30, start Oxberg, 30 km
Saturday, February 21, Tjejvasan, start Oxberg, 30 km
Sunday, February 22, Öppet Spår Sunday, start Sälen, 90 km FULLY BOOKED
Sunday, February 22, Ungdomsvasan, start Eldris, 9 km, start Hökberg, 19 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 90, freestyle, start Sälen, 90 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 45, freestyle, start Oxberg, 45 km
Monday, February 23, Öppet Spår Monday 30, freestyle, start Oxberg, 30 km
Tuesday, February 24, Vasaloppet 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, February 27, Stafettvasan, ski relay, five sections, start Sälen, 90 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 30, individually or two-person teams, freestyle,
start Oxberg, 30 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 45, individually or two-person teams, freestyle,
start Oxberg, 45 km
Friday, February 27, Nattvasan 90, individually or two-person teams, freestyle,
start Sälen, 90 km
Saturday, February 28, Vasaloppet 10, freestyle, start Eldris, 9 km
Sunday, March 1, The 102nd Vasaloppet, start Sälen, 90 km