Alvar Myhlback – youngest ever winner of Vasaloppet: “The dream began with Ungdomsvasan”

On March 2, 2025, Alvar Myhlback made history as the youngest ever winner of Vasaloppet, before his 19th birthday. With a journey that began when he was just eight, competing in Ungdomsvasan, this skier from Bjursås has steadily worked his way to the top. Now he shares the story of his road to victory, his training philosophy, and his ambitions for future triumphs under the iconic finish line arch in Mora. He also gives training advice for exercisers who are about to move from roller skis to snow for the upcoming season.

The finish line on Vasagatan in Mora, bearing the famous motto “In forefathers’ tracks for future victories,” is the ultimate goal of the season for thousands of cyclists, runners, and skiers. 19-year-old Alvar Myhlback is no exception, and his story began early.
“The dream of winning Vasaloppet was born when I raced in Ungdomsvasan,” says Myhlback.

He made his Ungdomsvasan (Vasaloppet for youth) debut in 2015. At just eight years old (turning nine a month later), he finished second in the boys’ 9–10 age group, just two seconds behind Erik Bergström of Domnarvet. Over the following five years, Myhlback crossed the finish line first in Ungdomsvasan every time.
“Ungdomsvasan was the biggest and most important race of the year. I was nervous for months in advance, just like now, haha. But finishing under that arch, getting the wreath and being greeted by the Kranskulla in Ungdomsvasan, that was huge. And it still is,” says Myhlback, who was granted special permission to compete in the full 90 km Vasaloppet in 2023 despite being underage.

At 16, he surprised everyone – including himself – by finishing eighth.
“I’ve exceeded my own expectations in all three of my Vasaloppet races. I never thought I’d be anywhere near what I’ve achieved; not when I came eighth, nor when I was third in 2024. But this year’s race will be hard to top,” he laughs.

On March 2 this year (at just 18 years and 345 days old) Alvar Myhlback became the youngest winner in the race’s history.
“I felt incredible that day. After crossing the finish line, it was pure joy; all the fatigue just disappeared. It was such a rush,” says Myhlback, who finished alongside his Lager 157 Ski Team teammate and 2023 Vasaloppet champion, Emil Persson, who came second.

Why does Vasaloppet suit you so well?
“There are several reasons. I like endurance, so the long distance and time work in my favour. Our ski wax manager (Marcus Laggar) is based in Orsa, and we’ve done extensive ski testing ahead of the Vasaloppet, getting the material just right. Our team has also made Vasaloppet a clear focus. Anton Järnberg (team leader) has set a standard and culture for how we prepare. And Vasaloppet is on my mind during almost every training session – I think ‘this is how I want to feel approaching Evertsberg,’” says Myhlback, who has concentrated his training entirely on long-distance racing this season.

During the summer season he has taken three major victories in long-distance roller ski races. He won the Norwegian Blink, Alliansloppet and Klarälvsloppet.
“The victories are proof that the training has worked well. In previous seasons I haven’t been stronger in summer than in winter, so I hope this shows I’ve taken another step forward.”

On December 13, the international long-distance cup Ski Classics 2025/2026 starts in Bad Gastein, Austria. This season looks a little different. After the Czech long-distance race Jizerská 50 on February 1, there will be a one-month Ski Classics break until Vasaloppet on March 1.
“The past three years we’ve done long-distance races in Orsa Grönklitt two weeks before Vasaloppet, and after that my teammate Runar Skaug Mathisen and I have done a ‘Vasa camp’. This year the races in Orsa have been moved to after Vasaloppet. But the plan is to try to copy the setup from previous years. It’s worked well,” says Alvar Myhlback, the youngest winner in Vasaloppet history.

ALVAR'S CURRENT TIP FOR RECREATIONAL SKIERS
All around the country, artificial snow tracks are opening for the season. That means good opportunities to train on snow – but it’s important not to rush into winter. Here is reigning Vasaloppet champion Alvar Myhlback's advice for making the transition from roller skis to snow:
“Winter is long, and there are still many months left until Vasaloppet if that’s your main goal. So it’s important not to rush. It’s a big difference stepping onto snow compared to roller skiing, and many artificial snow loops are short with quite a lot of climbing – the hours don’t add up as easily as in the summer. It’s easy to think you have to reach a certain training volume, but that can quickly become too much. So take it easy when you start the snow season,” says Myhlback.

FACTS/ The 102nd Vasaloppet, Sunday, March 1, 2026
There are still places available for those who want to ski Vasaloppet 2026. Elite and recreational athletes ski together and the journey goes from the start in Berga by in Sälen at 08:00, through the seven classic Vasaloppet checkpoints Smågan, Mångsbodarna, Risberg, Evertsberg, Oxberg, Hökberg and Eldris before the race is decided, often on the final stretch in Mora. A fantastic sporting tradition, a ski festival, a test of strength. More than 600,000 skiers have made their way through Vasaloppet since its inception in 1922. And as it says on the skiers' diplomas: "Every finish is a victory". Millions of television viewers in several countries watch the race. The reigning champions are Alvar Myhlback, Lager 157 Ski Team and Stina Nilsson, Team Ragde Charge.

FACTS/ The 18th Ungdomsvasan, Sunday, February 22, 2026
The race that puts the skiers of the future in forefathers' tracks! What does Vasaloppet winner Alvar Myhlback have in common with today's Swedish national team skiers Emma Ribom, Oskar Svensson, Truls Gisselman, Edvin Anger, Johanna Hagström, Moa Ilar, Gustaf Berglund and Märta Rosenberg? Well, they all started their skiing careers in Ungdomsvasan, a race that manifests the breadth of Swedish skiing in the same way as Vasaloppet. All young people, whether they compete for a ski club or not, are welcome to participate. The race has three age classes for boys and girls respectively. The 11–12 and 13–14-year-olds start in Eldris and ski 9 km while 15–16-year-olds start in Hökberg and ski 19 km.Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena:

Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2026 and the 102nd Vasaloppet – 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
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, 28 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

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2026 – biking and running
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 30, start Oxberg, 32 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan Öppet Spår, start Sälen, 95 km
Friday, August 7, Cykelvasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 8, Cykelvasan 90, start Sälen, 95 km
Friday, August 14, Funkisvasan, start Mora, 4 km
Friday, August 14, Trailvasan 10, start Mora, 10 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 90, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Vasastafetten, running relay, ten legs, start Sälen, 92 km
Saturday, August 15, Ultravasan 45, start Oxberg, 45 km
Saturday, August 15, Trailvasan 30, start Oxberg, 30 km

Vasaloppstrippeln – ski, bike and run, all in one year
Vasaloppstrippeln is a challenge where you complete three races – skiing, cycling and running – during one and the same calendar year. Choose between 30, 45 or 90 kilometres.

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For more information
Camilla Sandy Swarén. Press Manager Vasaloppet
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se

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