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50th Annual North American Vasa Festival of Races

Name: 50th Annual North American Vasa Festival of Races
Start: 2026-02-14
End: 2026-02-15
Location: Traverse City, Michigan

location_city Traverse City

location_on Michigan

flag United States

calendar_today 14 Feb, 2026 – 15 Feb, 2026

directions_run Running

language Official Website

About the Event

Join us February 14–15, 2026, as we celebrate 50 years of the North American Vasa at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City.

Over 50 years, the North American Vasa has become one of the Midwest’s biggest Nordic ski races. Participants return year after year to enjoy high-quality grooming and the scenic Vasa Pathway and winter singletrack trails of the Pere Marquette State Forest in Grand Traverse County.

The 2026 schedule features freestyle and classic ski races, fat bike events, and youth competitions designed for athletes of every age and ability. From the legendary 50K marathon to the family-friendly 6K Tour, the North American Vasa balances world-class competition with an inclusive, community spirit.

What's New for 2026

Return of the 50k Marathon: The 50k Classic and Skate races are making a comeback for the 50th Anniversary of the North American Vasa. These races will be Saturday, Feb. 14 starting at 9:00 am. This is a two lap race. Skiers must start the second lap of the race by 11:30 am for the safety of the skiers and our volunteers.

Bigfoot Community Relay Races (Sponsored by Cross Country Ski HQ): Two relay races will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 starting at 1:30 pm. One relay consists of one adult and two kids under 12 years old, the other relay consists of one adult and 2 kids 12-19 years old. Sign up for free on the registration page.

T-shirt giveaway: Every paying registrant will receive a specially designed 50th anniversary long sleeve t-shirt.

What's continued in 2026

Age Class winner perks: Each age class winner in the 27K Freestyle race will receive free entry into next year's race. 2nd place finishers will receive 1/2 off, 3rd place finishers will receive 1/3 off. This only applies to the 27 K Freestyle race for male and female racers and you must enter the 27K race in 2027 to receive this discount.

First Time Skiers: Any first time skier entering Sunday's 6K Tour receives a 50% discount, provided you use the discount code NEWBIE2026 at check out.

King Vasa Viking Club Members: Any skier that has skied in 30 or more Vasa races of 27K in length or more will receive a special permanent bib. Club members will be recognized by starting the George Kuhn 27K Freestyle race on Saturday in their own wave at 9:40 am and at the Vasa Community Celebration. Make sure you register for each race with the same exact name to keep your count accurate.

Vasa Community Celebration: To capture the spirit and excitement of the 50th anniversary and to honor the long-standing tradition of the North American Vasa, we are again holding the Vasa Community Celebration. It will take place at the Park Place Hotel after the races on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 5:00-8:00pm and will feature free appetizers along with a cash bar and live music. Awards* can be picked up for events completed on Saturday and we will acknowledge the King Vasa Viking Club members that have completed at least 30 Vasas. Tickets are $10.00 per person. Advanced sales only, tickets will not be sold at the door. There is a limit of 400 people for this event. Tickets available here.

*Note: Anyone receiving an award in Saturday's races but will not be attending the Celebration, can pick up their award at Timber Ridge following the race.

Hotel Accommodations

The Park Place Hotel has set aside a block of 10 rooms for race participants at the rate of $168.00 per night, including taxes and fees. There are only 10 rooms available at this rate so make your reservations early. Use this link to make your reservation, or call 231-946-5000 Ext. 2022 for assistance.

Registration Update for 2026

Skiers will self select the wave/corral they would like to start in during the registration process. If you are a top level skier please place yourself in the Elite wave/corral. Please place yourself according to your ability while also respecting other skiers. For assistance in making a wave selection please click on the 'Wave /Corral Selection Assistance' link at the bottom of this page. The Vasa organization reserves the right to place a skier in a different wave/corral.

The Michigan Cup Challenge includes the George Kuhn Half Marathon 27K Freestyle Ski Race on Saturday and the Lombard Loppet 15K Classic on Sunday. Register for both events at the same time to receive a $20 discount. Cash awards will be given to the top three finishers, male and female. Rank is determined by combined times of the two races. The overall men's and women's winners will be crowned, King and Queen Vasa on Sunday, Feb. 15 at Timber Ridge. First Place $600 Second Place $300 Third Place $100

Fatbikers take note. This year's race is a one lap 25k for all bikers. All tires must be 3.8 inches or wider and properly inflated (no plus bikes). The recommended tire pressure is 4-6 psi, depending on conditions. Helmets are required, and absolutely no ear buds are allowed. There will be a warmup loop in the stadium. Fat bikers are not allowed on the course before the race.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Registration

Opens Saturday, October 11th
Closes 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 11th

Onsite registration is not available.

Friday February 13th

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Packet Pick Up

Saturday February 14th

8:00 am - Packet Pick Up
50k Classic/Freestyle (9:00 am tentative start)
Okerstrom 12k Freestyle (9:15 am tentative start)
George Kuhn Half Marathon 27k Freestyle (9:40 am tentative start)
JR Vasa & Adaptive Skiers (12:30 pm tentative start)
Bigfoot Community Relay (1:30 pm tentative start)
Vasa Celebration (5:00-8:00 pm at the Park Place)

Sunday February 15th

8:00 am - Packet Pick-up
High School and Citizen Racer 6k Classic (9:30 am tentative start)
Lombard Loppet 15k Classic (9:50 am tentative start)
Vasa Tour 6k Freestyle/Classic (10:35 am tentative start)
Fatbike 25k (11:00 am tentative start)
Awards Ceremony at Timber Ridge

Humidity (%)

air 16.3 /

water_drop 74.1%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat -6.3° / 1.6°

wb_sunny -12.5° / -3.8°

air 16.3 km/h

water_drop 74.1%

About Traverse City

Traverse City is a scenic city on the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan. Directly north of Traverse City, the Old Mission Peninsula splits the Grand Traverse Bay in two, with a beautiful windswept landscape and great views of the bay on either side. Slightly to the west, the Leelanau Peninsula, with its charming small towns, forms the "pinkie finger" of the Michigan peninsula, jutting into Lake Michigan. Both peninsulas are prime winemaking regions within the state, and as such are one of the main tourist attractions in the region. Over a million visitors come each year to tour the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a scenic lakeside park with impressively large sand dunes. It's also a very popular destination for outdoor activities, owing to the proximity of Lake Michigan in summer, the impressive autumn colors, and the high snowfalls in winter.