Vasaloppet USA 2023 FAQ
PARKING – There is ample parking all over the City of Mora.
REGISTRATIONS All 2023 RACES Register online
If you need to cancel due to a medical condition, please have your doctor provide a note, and your registration will be automatically transferred to the next year with no additional charge.
No skiers under 18 years of age are allowed to ski in The Vasa, or The Classic races. Racers under 18 years old skiing in The Dala, The Team and The Bellringer races must have waiver signed by parent or guardian.
CHANGING RACES Transfers between races accepted until ONE HOUR before the start of the race. There are no registration refunds, even if race is canceled.
RACE PACKET PICKUP
Friday 2/10 at Vasaloppet Headquarters (100 Union St., Mora) 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday 2/11 Race day, Celebration Tent 8:00 am – 11:30 pm
Sunday 2/12 Race day, Celebration Tent 9:00 am – 10:30 am
This year, your bib number will be assigned at packet pick up.
SATURDAY 2/11/23 SKI RACE SCHEDULE – Freestyle (skate and classic-style)
10:30 am- The Vasa 48k Freestyle – starts in downtown Mora
10:30 am – The Dala 34k Freestyle – starts in downtown Mora
11:30 pm – The Bellringer (15km) and The Team (15km), starts in downtown Mora
SUNDAY 2/12/23 SKI RACE SCHEDULE (classic-only)
10:30 am – The Classic 42k Classic and Half Classic 21k classic-style ski races – start in downtown Mora
1:30 pm – Miniloppet Children’s ski race – start at Mora Elementary
RACE COURSES
The race starts and finishes in downtown Mora on Union St. Maps of each race are available on the race week schedule.
- The Vasa 48 km – 2 laps, total length of 48 km
- The Dala 34km – 2 laps – One lap on the Vasa trail, and a second shorter lap for total length of 34km
- The Bellringer and The Team 15km – 1 lap, total length of 15km
- The Classic 42km (Classic only) – 2 laps, total length 42km
- The Half Classic 21km (Classic only) – 1 lap, total length of 21km
SOUP STOPS – There are 3 aid stations located throughout the course managed by the Mora Lions. Aid stations contain water, Gatorade, Ekströms blueberry soup, energy gel, and cookies. Due to the nature of the course and available access points, aid stations are not evenly spread out. It is strongly advised that skiers carry their own water and/or energy to accommodate individual needs.
| Race | Stop #1 | Stop #2 | Stop #3 |
| Vasa Lap #1 | 4km | 15km | 21km |
| Dala Lap #1 | 4km | 15km | 21km |
| Classic Lap #1 | 4km | 12km | 19km |
| Half Classic | 4km | 12km | 19km |
| Bellringer & The Team | 4km | 10km |
SOUP STOP CUT-OFF TIMES
Stop #1 will end service at 1:00 p.m.
Stop #2 will end service at 2:00 p.m.
Stop #3 will end service at 3:00 p.m.
Those passing these soup stops after the cut-off time will be able to self serve while supplies last.
FIRST AID STATION/MEDICAL AID – Will be located downtown at the start/finish line in the Mora Mini Mall.
BLUEBERRY SOUP – Sports drink made in Sweden, exclusively served at Vasaloppet races.
Ingredients: Sugar, modified starch, dried blueberries, maltodextrin, acid (citric acid), vitamin C
CELEBRATION TENT – Located at the corner of Union St. and Forest Ave. and very close to the race start/finish line.
SKI WAXING – The Nordic Center has a wax room available. Also, our friends at Finnsisu, Pioneer Midwest, and Gear West, Ski Hut, Continental Ski, Revolution Ski, all have Vasaloppet ski waxing guides. Contact them directly for details.
COLD WEATHER – If the weather is cold on the day of the race, be sure to bring your own cold weather protective supplies (mole skin, vaseline, etc.). There will be some available if needed, but on a very limited supply, not enough for all skiers.
SELF-SEEDING/SPORTSMANSHIP
The Vasaloppet uses a system that allows skiers to place themselves at the start area according to their realistic expectations of their finish time. Please show consideration for your fellow skiers on the trail by following trail etiquette, including the yielding of the track. A special note to The Classic skiers – It’s a Classic style race so skating, even only a few strides is not cool (and could get you disqualified if a protest is filed.) If you really like that skate motion please register for The Vasa or The Dala Freestyle races.
BAG DROP/CHANGING ROOMS
Drop off your bag at Tinker Larson auto dealership located next to the big clock (follow the signs from the tent) and pick it up after you finish your race. You must have your race bib to claim your bag. Changing rooms are also available. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BAG IN THE TENT.
BIB RECYCLING – Your race bibs are yours to keep. But if you would like to recycle your bib for us to clean and reuse for future races, we would appreciate it. Just drop your bib into one of the bins that is located at the finish line, in the Celebration Tent, or in the Vasaloppet store.
PORTA POTTIES – There are porta potties at the aid stations/soup stops (on the trail), at bag drop/pick-up, and at the Celebration Tent.
IF YOU DROP OUT OF THE RACE
If you drop out of the race, notify a volunteer at a soup stop, or someone in the race area, or check in to the skier drop out area on Lake Mora near Bell Tower Hill.
SKIER LUNCH Noon – 3pm – Hot lunch provided for all skiers, inside the Celebration Tent.
SPECTATOR LUNCH
The Crystal Bar & Grill will have lunch items for sale in the Celebration Tent on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.
There are several restaurants located on Union Street (race start/finish line) in downtown Mora and very near the race start/finish line that we encourage you to also visit:
- The Crystal Bar & Grill (39 N Union St.)
- El Jalisco Mexican Restaurant (30 N. Union St.)
- Kev’s Depot (118 Railroad Ave NE)
- Emma’s Pizza (113 S Lake St)
The Crystal Bar & Grill will also be serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the Celebration Tent on Saturday and Sunday.
RESULTS – Race results will be posted on the website with live updates. Results receipts (a printed receipt of your finish time and placing in your age class) are also available in the Celebration tent. Watch the finish line streaming live on the website.
AWARDS and AWARDS CEREMONY
Here is a complete list of all awards and age classes. The awards ceremony will be held in the Celebration Tent on Saturday at 3:00 pm, and on Sunday in the Celebration Tent at 2:00 pm.
MORA CLASSIC and MORA MOTION SERIES – If you complete your series with the Vasaloppet this year, you will receive you completion medals at the awards ceremonies on Saturday or Sunday.
DOUBLE LOPPET
If you participated in the City of Lakes Loppet skiing, skijoring, or fat tire events, then ski, skijor, or ride your fat tire in our events, you will receive your Double Loppet award. The awards will be available at race headquarters.
LIVE STREAM OF THE VASALOPPET
SPECTATOR VIEWING SPOTS
- Start/Finish Line
The start and finish line on Union Street is an action-packed spot. Not only are there lots of skiers to watch, the brightly dressed Kranskulla’s (wreath girls) are a cheery bunch to witness. For the casual spectator, many downtown businesses and restaurants will gladly welcome visitors looking to warm up, do a little shopping or grab a hot meal.
- The Vasa Hills
This section of the trail winds back and forth —all within view of a nearby field. This area has a large, designated parking area that is easy to access. Take Highway 65 north about two miles, and turn west onto 220th Ave. You will see the parking area on the south side of the road.
- The Nordic Center
The Nordic Center is easily accessible by car, but can be a little busy with volunteers operating a soup stop. Be advised the ski trail crosses 9th Street. Drivers can avoid it by approaching the Nordic Center from the west along 9th Street. You can also park at the Mora Elementary School to walk to a viewing area at the Nordic Center.
- Library/Lake Mora
This area shows a long view of skiers headed across the lake to the sound of the Bell Tower, while still being close enough to downtown to grab lunch. Need a break? The Mora Public Library basement is the location of this year’s Vasaloppet Art Show. It’s a great place to rest, warm up and see the works of local artists.
RESULTS – Pick up your receipt at the booth in the Celebration Tent and it will have your overall and age-class results. You can also go to Superior Timing.
TIMING – Chip timing is provided by Superior Timing.
ESTIMATED FINISH TIMES FOR LEADERS
Based off of the 2022 race results we estimate the race leaders to finish at approximately:
Vasa – 12:30 p.m. (2 hours)
Dala – 12:00 p.m. (1.5 hours)
Bellringer/The Team – 12:10 p.m. (40 minutes)
Classic – 12:50 p.m. (2 hours 20 minutes)
Half Classic – 11:30 a.m. (1 hour)
VASALOPPET MERCHANDISE
T-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and gifts can be purchased at Vasaloppet headquarters (100 Union St.).
LOST ITEMS
Please file a report if you have requested a recovered item, including a broken pole, to be returned to you. Reports are available at the Vasaloppet headquarters. Lots of the lost items end up at the race office so check there.
LODGING
