Vasaloppet eyes return to downtown Mora for 2026 race weekend's start, finish line

The Vasaloppet USA board is hopeful the start and finish line for this year's ski race weekend — Feb. 7 and 8 — will return to Union Street in downtown Mora.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, board member Jack Schwinghamer said the organization has been "blessed with some snow" early in 2026.

"The Vasaloppet's main goal here is to start and finish our race down on main street in Mora here," Schwinghamer said. "I think the skiers love that venue, and I think that's great for the community as far as bringing all of the skiers here, and it really kind of enhances our community."

Schwinghamer said Vasaloppet USA has been in contact with Kanabec County for event road closures.

Those would go into effect from 3 p.m. on Feb. 6 through 8 p.m. on Feb. 8, including Union Street from Forest Avenue to Maple Avenue; part of Railroad Avenue Southeast extending just beyond the Vasaloppet headquarters building; Maple Avenue from Union Street through the library parking lot; and part of 9th Street North for a trail crossing between Nordic Center Drive and the Trailview School entrance.

Vasaloppet USA will also set up a warm-up tent at the old feed mill site from Feb. 2 through Feb. 9.

"This will be smaller than what we've had in the past, and will mainly be for packet pickup and administrative sorts of things, and not a bandstand like we've had in the past," Schwinghamer said.

Schwinghamer said starting and ending the race in downtown Mora is largely dependent on natural snowfall.

He also explained that Vasaloppet USA also makes its own snow, but can't spread it on Union Street using manure spreaders.

"Last year, unfortunately, we didn't have the snow until race day, so we weren't able to do it downtown," Schwinghamer said.