To avoid congestion during the race, we want the fastest skiers to start at the front. We therefore sort participants at the start according to how fast we expect them to be. This sorting is called seeding, and it’s based on previous results in a number of selected races, known as seeding races.
At the Vasaloppet start in Berga by, there are eleven start groups, with the elite group at the front and Group 10 at the back. If you have no previous results, you’ll start in Group 10, but if you complete a seeding race, you’ll be seeded into at least Group 9. On My pages, you can see which start group you’ve been assigned to.
How seeding works
- Find a seeding race
Upcoming seeding races are listed at the bottom of the page. A full list of all seeding races can be found in our calendar. Filter by Seeding races, Ski races, and previous dates to see all available events. - Register and complete the race
– Swedish races: Enter your Vasa ID when you register for a seeding race. Your result will then be registered automatically.
– Foreign races: If you want to use a result from a seeding race outside Sweden, you must send it to us at info@vasaloppet.se. Include the following details: race name, your name, your Vasa ID, and your finishing time. - Start group in Vasaloppet
On My pages, you’ll be able to see your assigned start group no later than the Wednesday after your race.
Below you can read more about the available seeding races and what’s required for the different start groups in Vasaloppet.
Seeding races
There are many cross-country ski races in Sweden and abroad that count for seeding purposes, as well as several roller ski races.
Participating in a seeding race can provide both valuable experience for Vasaloppet and a better start position.
Our own seeding races
The following Vasaloppet events count as seeding races for Vasaloppet:
- Tjejvasan, Öppet Spår Sunday, Vasaloppet 45, and Vasaloppet
- Öppet Spår Monday 90, Öppet Spår Monday 45, Nattvasan 90, and Nattvasan 45 (maximum seeding up to Group 2)
Roller ski seeding races
In addition to snow races, there are also roller ski races that count for Vasaloppet seeding. Roller ski races are used for seeding to give more people the chance to participate in seeding races.
Results from classes using loaned skis provided by the race organizer can give seeding up to Group 1 in Vasaloppet, while results from classes using your own roller skis can give seeding up to Group 3. Read more on the Swedish Ski Association’s website about which wheels are approved for seeding.
Swedish Ski Association’s website >
Results and seeding tables
After each seeding race, we evaluate the entire field and compare how the top ten finishers have placed in Vasaloppet over the past two years. We also assess how strong the winner was in relation to the rest of the top ten, and vice versa. This evaluation, together with our assessment of the race distance, profile, and snow conditions, forms the basis for the time limits in our seeding tables.
In the seeding tables, you can see what your result from a qualifying race corresponds to in terms of start group for Vasaloppet. An updated table is published no later than the Wednesday following each race.
Seeding tables for Vasaloppet 2026
Vasaloppet Winter Week 2025 ahead of Vasaloppet 2026 (updated March 6, 2025)
Spring 2025 seeding races ahead of Vasaloppet 2026 (updated April 16, 2025)
Roller ski races ahead of Vasaloppet 2026 (updated October 20, 2025)
Validity period
Results from seeding races are valid for three years but are downgraded by one start group per year.
Example: If your seeding this year qualifies you for Group 7, you can use it next year, but it will then qualify you for Group 8.
Seeding for the different start groups
Elite group – Those with a valid FIS code for the season and who meet any of the following criteria may start in the elite group:
- Placed 1–150 in the Vasaloppet men’s class the previous year
- Placed 1–50 in the Vasaloppet women’s class the previous year
- Relevant seeding result from a qualifying race during the current season
Group 1 – Those with relevant results from a seeding race on snow, or from an elite class in a roller ski race (where equipment is provided by the organizer) may start in Group 1.
Group 2 – Those with relevant results from seeding races on snow, in either classic or freestyle technique, may start in Group 2.
Groups 3–9 – Those with relevant results from seeding races on snow in classic technique, from Vasaloppet’s own freestyle races, or from recreational classes in roller ski races (with own equipment) may start in Groups 3–9.
Group 9 – Those with results from a seeding race in the current season, or from one of Vasaloppet’s own races from the previous year, may start in Group 9.
Group 10 – Those with no previous results are automatically placed in the last start group, Group 10.
