Vasaloppet 100 years – welcome to the big ski fest of 2022!

Over 1.6 million participants have passed under the classic finish line portal in Mora since the first Vasaloppet on March 19, 1922. A birthday celebration beyond the usual is planned for the 100th anniversary and with our sights set on Vasaloppet's upcoming 100th year we now present some long-awaited news – skate style will be allowed in Öppet Spår Monday.

With one foot in the past and one in the future, Vasaloppet has developed into both a national treasure and an inspirational force for exercise and wellness. Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2022 will be a milestone in Vasaloppet history and many will want to join the celebrations.
"We've had some really fine weeks with Vasaåket and of course we're happy and proud to be able to inspire people to get moving even in these times. But of course our hope is to hold a proper ski festival next winter when we celebrate 100 years of Vasaloppet," says Johan Eriksson, CEO of Vasaloppet.

Vasaloppet's purpose, to get people moving and experiencing nature, will permeate the entire 100th anniversary celebration and when registration opens on March 21 there will be big three pieces of news.

Starting next winter, Öppet Spår Monday will be freestyle. Participants can thereby choose skate or classic ski style for the 90 kilometres from Sälen to Mora.

Nattvasan 45 and 90 exist today as a race for two-person teams but the rules will now change to allow completing the race either individually or in pairs. The Nattvasan family will also get expanded with the new race Nattvasan 30.

"Skate style is becoming increasingly popular and there is demand for a skate style race in the daytime. Previously it's only been possible to freestyle in Nattvasan but we're now allowing this during Öppet Spår Monday. With Nattvasan 30, even more people will have a chance to experience the magic of skiing in the Vasaloppet Arena in the glow a headlamp, at a slightly shorter distance," says Johan Eriksson.

Vasaloppet will present more exciting news and surprises for the 100th anniversary celebration over course of the year and the big finale will of course be the Winter Week 2022, starting with Vasaloppet 30 on Friday, February 25 and finishing with the 98th Vasaloppet on Sunday, March 6.
"We want to celebrate the past and set our sights on what's to come. Vasaloppet's goal is to continue being an inspiration for exercise and public health for at least another 100 years. Perhaps it's never been as important as just now. We hope that as many as possible, old and young, experienced skiers and beginners, take this chance to celebrate with us; a warm welcome to the Winter Week 2022," says Johan Eriksson.

Registration for Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2022 opens on Sunday, March 21 at www.vasaloppet.se

FACTS/Vasaloppet 100 years:

It was 500 years ago, in the winter of 1520/21, that Gustav Eriksson's adventure in Dalarna took place, now a mix of truth and myth. The first Vasaloppet ran on Sunday, March 19, 1922 and since 1948 the race has always run on the first Sunday of March, except for 2015 when the race was moved to the second Sunday due to the World Championships in Falun. Vasaloppet has been cancelled three times; 1932, 1934 and 1990, so the Winter Week 2022 marks the 98th Vasaloppet.

FAKTA/Skate and Vasaloppet:

From 1987, only classic ski style was allowed in Vasaloppet.
For a period of five years, 1995–99, Öppet Spår had a day each year where skate style was allowed.
Skejtvasan was held eleven years in a row, 2002–12.
Starting 2022, skate style will be allowed during Öppet Spår Monday. The track width will have space for both skate and classic ski tracks.

ALL ABOUT ÖPPET SPÅR MONDAY HERE>

ALL ABOUT NATTVASAN 30 HERE>

Upcoming events in the Vasaloppet Arena

Vasaloppet's Summer Week 2021
Fri 13 Aug: Cykelvasan Öppet Spår. 94 km. Start Sälen
Fri 13 Aug: Cykelvasasprinten. 1 km. Lindvallen. Start Sälen
Sat 14 Aug: Cykelvasan 90. 94 km. Start Sälen
Sun 15 Aug: Cykelvasan 30. 32 km. Start Oxberg
Sun 15 Aug: Ungdomscykelvasan. 32 km. Start Oxberg
Sun 15 Aug: Cykelvasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg
Fri 20 Aug: Trailvasan 10. 10 km. Start Mora
Sat 21 Aug: Trailvasan 30. 30 km. Start Oxberg
Sat 21 Aug: Ultravasan 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg
Sat 21 Aug: Ultravasan 90. 90 km. Start Sälen
Sat 21 Aug: Vasastafetten. 4.5–15 km. 90 km running relay for ten-person teams. Start Sälen
Sat 21 Aug: Vasakvartetten. 19.1–24.2 km. 90 km running relay for four-person teams. Start Sälen

Vasaloppet's Winter Week 2022 – 100th anniversary!
Fri 25 Feb: Vasaloppet 30. 30 km. Start Oxberg
Sat 26 Feb: Tjejvasan. 30 km. Start Oxberg
Sun 27 Feb: Ungdomsvasan. 9 km start Eldris, 19 km start Hökberg
Sun 27 Feb: Öppet Spår Sunday. 90 km. Start Sälen
Mon 28 Feb: Öppet Spår Monday. 90 km, freestyle. Start Sälen
Tue 1 Mar: Vasaloppet 45. 45 km. Start Oxberg
Fri 4 Mar: Stafettvasan. 9–24 km. 90 km relay for 5-person teams. Start Sälen
Fri 4 Mar: Nattvasan 90. 90 km. Freestyle, individually or in two-person teams. Start Sälen
Fri 4 Mar: Nattvasan 45. 45 km. Freestyle, individually or in two-person teams. Start Oxberg
Fri 4 Mar: Nattvasan 30. 30 km. Freestyle, individually or in two-person teams. Start Oxberg
Sat 5 Mar: Blåbärsloppet. 9 km. Start Eldris
Sun 6 Mar: Vasaloppet. 90 km. Start Sälen

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High-resolution photos from Vasaloppet:
https://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/vasaloppet/latest_media

Text and photos may be freely published.

For more information

Camilla Sandy, Press Manager
+46 (0)70-384 95 00
camilla.sandy@vasaloppet.se

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