Take part in a seeding race – start in group 9 or higher in Vasaloppet 2026

For Vasaloppet, seeding is a way to rank participants at the start based on their skiing speed, to achieve a smoother pace and less overtaking during the race. Around 15,000 skiers take part in Vasaloppet each year, with eleven start groups in Berga by: the elite group at the front and group 10 at the back. The better your results, the further forward you’ll start.

Seeding is based on participants’ previous results, either from certain Vasaloppet races or from other approved seeding races. If a participant has no previous results, they start in group 10, but under the rule introduced in 2024, simply completing a seeding race qualifies you to start in at least group 9 that year.
“When you complete a seeding race, your skiing has come a long way and you have shown that you can handle elements like technique, distance, and varying weather conditions. That’s something we want to encourage,” says Cathrine Mörk, Vasaloppet’s seeding coordinator.

Around 40 percent of participants ski Vasaloppet for the first time each year, meaning that many start in group 10. With this rule, Vasaloppet saw a better spread of participants in the back groups last winter, resulting in a smoother overall flow.
“We believe this will be an extra incentive for participants to take part in a seeding race. Doing so gives you valuable experience that will be a huge advantage when it’s time for the 90 km Vasaloppet,” says Cathrine Mörk.

Facts about seeding races
There are around 50 long-distance ski races in Sweden and abroad that qualify as seeding races for Vasaloppet. These are published during November/December in the calendar at vasaloppet.se

New: From 2026, both Nattvasan 45 and Nattvasan 90 will count as official seeding races for Vasaloppet. Other Vasaloppet Winter Week races that count for seeding are: Vasaloppet, Öppet Spår Sunday, Öppet Spår Monday 90 (start groups 2–9), Öppet Spår Monday 45 (start groups 2–9), Vasaloppet 45 and Tjejvasan.

Criteria for additional seeding races for Vasaloppet:

• The race must be sanctioned by the Swedish Ski Association
• The race must be at least 40 km
• The race must be held in classic style
• The race must have a mass start or group start
• The race organizer must register with and pay a fee to Vasaloppet

More about Vasaloppet seeding >