FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vasaloppet Update

Vasaloppet trail volunteers continue to make great progress on ‘The Mora’ course, and are rapidly working towards completion of the marathon length race course in advance of the Feb. 10 Vasaloppet ski race. Those races will be very close to, but not necessarily exactly, 52km (The Vasa), 42km (The Classic), 35km (The Dala) and 14km (The Bell Ringer & The Team) as trail teams continue to fine-tune the course.

Currently, skiers are enjoying superb conditions on 7km-plus of trails on manufactured snow at the Nordic Center skiing complex (see photos). This week manufactured snow was placed on trails connecting the Nordic Center trail system with the trails leading to the start and finish line in downtown Mora. Snow hauling teams will next turn their attention to the west and northwestern part of the trail system to complete the race course. If the forecast for snowfall for this weekend is accurate, that will just make the volunteers’ task far easier.

Prospects of using the point to point Legacy course have dimmed because of far too little snow on that trail (even before the current warm temperatures) as well as logistical and planning deadlines.  “Our goal is to provide skiers with the best ski course possible,” says Vasaloppet president Barbara Fredrickson, “and because of snow making ‘The Mora’ course this year provides really excellent conditions.”

If the current snow making and hauling pace continues, skiers will be on a course very close to 17 km, which does not include about another kilometer out and back from the start-finish line. Skiers in The Classic, Bell Ringer and The Team will take a shorter course.

The next registration deadline is February 1st, so register today at: vasaloppet.us.