\u201cIt\u2019s encouraging to see these numbers. We\u2019re seeing an increase in nearly all races and, right now, interest is especially high for Tjejvasan and \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r 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,\u201d says Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet.<\/p>\n\n
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.
\u201cRight now, we\u2019re seeing an 11 percent increase in first-time Vasaloppet participants compared with the same time last year. Internally, we\u2019ve called it the \u2018Mot alla odds\u2019 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\u2019s Vasaloppet. It\u2019s a trend that seems to be continuing,\u201d says Johan Eriksson.<\/p>\n\n
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 \u2013 where young women are the group growing fastest in both marathons and half-marathons \u2013 seems to be spreading to cross-country skiing as well.
\u201cIt\u2019s a positive development and an exciting one for both Vasaloppet and the sport of skiing. We\u2019re 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\u2019re continuing our efforts with the Vasaloppet Arena to offer participants the best possible conditions,\u201d says Johan Eriksson.<\/p>\n\n
This autumn\u2019s work in the arena has included rerouting parts of the Vasaloppet track. One challenging section has been just before the first checkpoint in Sm\u00e5gan, where water has seeped up through the marshes during mild weather. From winter 2026 onwards, the final kilometre leading to the Sm\u00e5gan checkpoint will have a new route to avoid several water crossings.
\u201cThe total distance remains unchanged, but if we get temperatures above freezing, participants will have a better experience, and much drier feet,\u201d says Johan Eriksson.<\/p>\n\n
Only a few times in the 2000s has the temperature at the Vasaloppet start in S\u00e4len been above freezing when the race starts. In connection with the critical start area around \u00c5stj\u00e4rnen, several minor preventive measures have now been taken to stop water from seeping through if the weather turns mild.
\u201cIf it gets warm this year, we\u2019re prepared to slightly widen the start field in a few areas where we would otherwise have to narrow it significantly to avoid the water,\u201d says Johan Eriksson.<\/p>\n\n
Closer to Mora, another course adjustment of about one kilometre is being made, mainly thanks to the municipality\u2019s work on a new roller ski track at Mora Ski Stadium in Hemus.
\u201cThe 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,\u201d says Johan Eriksson, who will personally test the new sections when he skis \u00d6ppet Sp\u00e5r Monday 90 on February 23 as part of \u2018The Johan Eriksson Vasaloppet Challenge\u2019.<\/p>\n\n
\u201cYou can feel the ski fever rising across the country as the season approaches,\u201d says Johan Eriksson.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
With three months to go, over 45,000 skiers have already registered for Vasaloppet\u2019s Winter Week 2026. That\u2019s an increase of 14 percent compared with the same time last year. Meanwhile, work is underway in the Vasaloppet Arena to introduce new course sections designed to reduce the risk of wet and soft ski tracks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":799,"template":"","news_category":[],"sport_category":[2],"class_list":["post-798","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","sport_category-ski"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n