March tradition

Vasaloppet

Mars Tradition

Vasaloppet is a long distance cross-country ski race (ski marathon) that takes place the first Sunday of March every year since 1922.
It’s between the village of Sälen and town of Mora in Dalarna- a province in the middle of Sweden. It is the oldest and one of the longest cross-country ski races in the world – 90 km. When it started it was a race only for men, but since 1981 it is open also for women. But the women have also an own ski race called Tjejvasan - that is 30 km long.

Vasaloppet is running in memory of Gustav Vasa’s escape to Norway after he was refused by the Dalecarlians in Mora in 1520. Gustav Vasa was elected as the King of Sweden in 1523.
And now he is a symbol of the biggest cross-country ski race in the world with about 15 800 participants last year 2010.

Therefore arranges also in March a ski race called Vasaloppet for the pupils in many schools in Sweden.

Blueberry Soup
According to a tradition since 1958 is warm blueberry soup served at the controls along the track.