Vasaloppet's Winter Week centers on the 90 kilometer cross-country ski race between Salen and Mora in Dalarna, the oldest and largest cross-country ski race in the world, run on the first Sunday of March since 1922. The week around it includes shorter races over the same route for skiers of different levels.
Vasaloppet's Winter Week is built around a race with an origin story unusually specific for an endurance sporting event.
The race commemorates a specific historical journey: in the winter of 1520 to 1521, the Swedish nobleman Gustav Ericsson Vasa reportedly fled on skis from Mora toward Salen while escaping troops loyal to King Christian II, later returning to lead a revolt that made him King Gustav Vasa
The modern race, first held in 1922 and run in the reverse direction from Salen to Mora, has been part of the international Worldloppet ski marathon series since 1979 and holds the distinction of being both the oldest organized cross-country ski race in the world and the one with the largest number of participants
It is organized as a non-profit undertaking by two local sports clubs, IFK Mora and Salens IF, rather than a commercial promoter
The race is run from Salen to Mora
the reverse of Gustav Vasa's original 1520 to 1521 route
a symbolic inversion that has held since the first modern edition in 1922
Passing through the historic finish line in Mora remains the defining moment of the week for every distance offered
Dates TBA · Usually February
For route-based days, arrive early and expect normal streets around Salen/Mora to work differently.
Technical cross-country ski clothing suited to early-March Dalarna conditions, which can range from well below freezing to near-melting depending on the year; layered wicking fabrics and...
For Vasaloppet Winter Week, choose safe viewing points, watch weather and leave extra time around starts, finishes or releases.
Stay near workable transport in Salen/Mora, especially if the event runs late or streets close.
Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.
SEK
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Vasaloppet Winter Week is listed for Past edition: 20 February–1 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Salen/Mora, Sweden. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
10 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Salen/Mora, Dalarna, Sweden
Medium: 75000
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