This Saturday, China’s biggest cross country skiing event takes place for already the 23rd time in Changchun, the main city in the country’s northern Jilin Province, a 90-minute flight up from Beijing. Vasaloppet China has become a marquee event bringing together elite and hobby skiers from all over China and the world. Organised by Nordic Ways in collaboration with the legendary Vasaloppet event in Sweden, it is a member of Worldloppet, Ski Classics Challenger and , in fact, the only Chinese XC skiing event on the FIS calendar.
The 2025 edition is bound to be a special one with the biggest international field ever, and the confirmed attendance of some of China’s leading sports officials. It proves that after more than two decades and a difficult covid period, Vasaloppet China continues to push boundaries.
While the Swedish mother event offers skiers a 90km long historical A-to-B course between the towns of Salen and Mora, participants in Changchun stay inside the vast Jingyuetan Park for a beautiful loop course of 25km. The main race category of 50km requires people to complete two loops. The first part of the course is hilly and tough, followed by a more flattish second part, similar to other long distance Worldloppet races. The initial hilly section was part of the 2006-2007 World Cup event, won by famous German skier Thobias Angerer, who applauded the course designers at the time for their work. As such, the many hundreds of amateur skiers this Saturday can also get a feeling of what it is like to ski on a professional skiers world cup course.
As always in the north of China, winters can have serious cold spells. Last year’s race ended in plus temperatures, but on average participants should be prepared for temperatures around minus ten. Over the years, the snow conditions have been praised at Vasaloppet China, even though it is mainly artificially created snow.
Looking at the start list for Saturday, it is great to see that the 2024 men’s winner Fabian Stocek from Czechia will be back to defend his title. He will be challenged by a long list of potential race winners and podium candidates, including Lorenzo Busin from Italy, Markus Hallen from Sweden and Magnus Waaler from Norway. Traditionally, China’s own elite skiers, and those from Kazakhstan, are not to be underestimated either.
The 23rd edition of Vasaloppet China will be flagged off at 10 am local time, following the official opening ceremony. The event will be closed by the Vasa Banquet and Prizegiving Gala in the evening.
