Forecast, lack of snow could force changes for Vasaloppet

The Vasaloppet ski race in Mora is at risk of making some necessary changes due to a lack of snow.

Vasaloppet USA executive director Sharon Olson updated the Kanabec County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday about contingency plans.

Olson said the weather has been too warm to make snow until this week’s recent cold snap.

"The potential of having some changes due to the lack of snow is pretty high," Olson said. "We aren't going to have any positive 'this is what we're going to do' until Feb. 1, so potentially we could have snow, I hope."

If there’s not enough snow in the upcoming forecast, Olson said the organization would move the start and finish line of the race to Lake Mora or the Nordic Center, instead of Main Street in Mora.

The race would also be shortened under those circumstances.

The Vasaloppet weekend is scheduled for Feb. 10 and 11.