The North American Vasa Festival of Races is back and will return to Timber Ridge Resort in 2024!

The 48th annual North American Vasa is focused on safe and fun competition.  The 2024 schedule of events includes an event for all abilities including the 27K freestyle and 15K classic signature ski races, with the return of fat bike and snowshoe races, as well as the Michigan Cup and Collegiate combo challenges.

COVID Protocols

The safety of our staff, vendors, volunteers, and racers is our first priority. Please be considerate of others and follow the protocols. If you are sick or have been exposed to others that are sick, please plan not to participate. Contact us for options.

2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 *schedule is subject to change

Friday February 9th

• 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Packet Pick-Up , Timber Ridge

Saturday February 10th

• 8AM -11AM Packet Pick-Up , Timber Ridge * It is strongly suggested to pick up packets on Friday.

• 9:20 AM Okerstrom 15K Freestyle Ski Race

• 9:45 AM George Kuhn 27K Freestyle Ski Race

• 11:50 AM Short’s Grand Fat 35K

• 11:55 AM Short's-N-Fat 17K

• 12:20 PM Junior Vasa (various distances)

• 12:50 PM Adaptive Skier Race

Sunday February 11th

• 8:00 AM- 10 AM Packet Pick Up , Timber Ridge * It is strongly suggested to pick up packets on Friday.

• 9:50 AM 15K Lombard Loppet Classic Ski Race

• 10:15 AM 27K Classic Ski Race

• 10:35 AM Vasa FUN 6K Tour - classic

• 10:45 AM Vasa FUN 6k Tour - freestyle

• 11:00 AM Vasasaurus Stomp Snowshoe Race 6K

• Michigan Cup Challenge Awards and crowing of the KING and QUEEN VASA!

Saturday Races at Timber Ridge

Maps coming soon.

27K George Kuhn Half Marathon Freestyle - Join hundreds of skiers in the marquis race of the day with a hot lap of the world-famous Vasa Pathway. Combining elevation and long stretches of winding, flat and fast trails, it’s one you’ll enjoy even as you suffer! You’ll do one lap counter clockwise on the standard Vasa course, with trail segments including The Nipple, Headwaters, and Jack Pine - all your favorites! The course is approximately 27 kilometers and is a full Michigan Cup points race. Looking for more? Add the 15K Lombard Loppet Classic on Sunday to be entered into the Michigan Cup Challenge.

15K Okerstrom Kortelopet Freestyle - Hop into the action for a fun freestyle event! The 15 kilometer is a great race for first timers, skier enthusiasts and focused competitors. This race will run counter clockwise. If you’re a collegiate, add the 15K Lombard Loppet classic on Sunday to be entered into the Collegiate Challenge.

Fat bike races are a part of the Tour De Fat | Michigan Fat Bike Race Series (tourdefatmi.com)!

35K Short’s Grand Fat Fat Bike Race - The Grand Fat is a celebration of some of the best-maintained single track fat bike trails in the state! This is your chance to enjoy the pristine Pere Marquette Forest at full-speed and hit all the famous sections of the trail: Logger’s Run, Yeti’s Revenge, Skyline, Drunken Sailor and Riley’s! The long race is approximately 35 kilometers (two 17.5K laps).

17K Short’s-n-Fat Fat Bike race - The Shorts-N-Fat race is a fun ride for anyone. The approximately 17 kilometer course is one lap of the Grand course.

Junior Vasa - .5K, 1.5K and 2K for kids up to 14 years old. Come watch these future Olympians!

Adaptive Skiers Race - These skiers are an inspiration to watch. Come on out and cheer them on!

Sunday Races at Timber Ridge

Maps coming soon!

27K Classic Race - Back by popular demand! Ski the 27K course in a counter clockwise direction, including Jack Pine, the Nipple, Headwaters, and Wall Bypass - the best that the Vasa Pathway has to offer!

15K Lombard Loppet Classic - Go back to the roots of the sport! Get out your skins or wax-up for this approximately 15 kilometer counter clockwise course on the traditional Grand Traverse Course. This is a Michigan Cup full points race.

6K Vasa Tour - Get in on the fun! Classic and freestyle waves in this approximately 6 kilometer course are open to all abilities! The tour is not timed or awarded.

6k-Vasasaurus Snowshoe Race - Get your selfie with our lovable Vasasaurus! This approximately 6 kilometer (2 laps) race runs counter clockwise through the rolling hills of Vasaland and Timber Ridge. The course will be a variety of groomed and ungroomed sections.

Combo Races

●     Michigan Cup Challenge - The George Kuhn 27K Freestyle Ski Race (Saturday) + the Lombard Loppet 15K Classic (Sunday) combine to make up the Michigan Cup Challenge. This race awards the best all-round XC skiers! You don’t need to be on a Michigan Cup team to be eligible. The male and female winners will be crowned King and Queen Vasa! Michigan Cup Challenge entrants will receive an automatic $20 registration discount. Note: You must register for the combo events at the same time (Run SignUp payment step) in order to receive the discount. 

The prestigious Michigan Cup Challenge is back, combining the best times from the 27K George Kuhn Half Marathon and the 15K Lombard Loppet, and identifying the best overall skiers of the festival. The top male and female winners will be crowned King and Queen Vasa and be given a fistful of cash - $500 for the winner, $250 for 2nd place and $100 for 3rd.  You get a price break if you register for both races of the Michigan Cup Challenge.

●     Collegiate Challenge - The Okerstorm 15K freestyle race on Saturday + the 15K Lombard Loppet Classic on Sunday is for college teams and individual collegiates. Receive a $20 discount for registering in both events www.runsignup.com/vasa

Registration

• Online Registration opens October 15th, 2023, and closes Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 at 6 PM.

• Registration will NOT be available after Wednesday, February 7th, 6:00 PM.

• Cancelation policy: Registration fees are non-refundable.

• WAVE assignments are self selected and finals will be available at 12 PM on Friday, February 9th at Run Sign Up or during packet pick up in the Banquet Hall.

• Once registered, you may transfer to a different event before February 7th, 6:00 PM, but you may not transfer your registration to another person. There are no refunds.

  Packet Pick-up

• You are highly encouraged to pick up packets on FRIDAY! Packet pick-up is held in the Timber Ridge on Friday, February 9th from 4 PM -7 PM; Saturday, February 10th from 8 AM -11 AM; and Sunday, February 11th from 8:30 AM -10 AM. THERE IS NO DAY-OF REGISTRATION!

  Volunteers Needed

• Stay warm sporting a stylish Vasa Crew knit hat.

• All volunteers receive a food coupon for use at the food truck during race weekend AND eternal gratitude from the Vasa community and athletes!

• Volunteer Sign up starts January 1, 2024. To sign up, go to the home page of this website after January 1st and hit the “Volunteer” button. Your help will be greatly appreciated!

Stadium

• Details coming soon!

• Come with cash to purchase your libations from the Short’s beer trailer! Stay tuned for more information!

• Come prepared to change into dry clothes after your race. Bags can be dropped off at the start line and/or at packet pickup

• A heated changing trailer will be available. Space is limited. Plan to use your own car for changing if possible. Due to space constraints, the Lodge and Event (Banquet) Hall will not be available for changing.

• Vendor Tents will be on site - be sure to stop in!

• Please familiarize yourself with the stadium set-up (under Q &A) before arrival!

Results

• Awards - Medals will be awarded in each race to the top three overall and in each age group. See age group award section. Awards will not be sent so must be picked up onsite. Awards will be presented onsite.

• Race results provided by Epic Race Timing.

Aid stations

• Saturday - Bunker Hill (ski), The Rock, Headwaters and Timber Ridge (long fat bike race)

• Sunday - Bunker Hill (ski), The Rock , Headwaters and Timber Ridge (snowshoe).

  AID station details TBD. Restroom available at the ROCK only.

FUEL

• Grab your complementary cup of (drinkable) soup. Soup is generously provided by Blue Tractor, Jolly Pumpkin and North Peak. Other food will be available for purchase. Bring cash or use the ATM inside the Lodge.

• Post Race Snacks will be provided by Pepsi, Great Lakes Potato Chips, Cherry Republic and Oleson’s Food Stores.

PARKING and more?

See VASA Q &A.