42nd Annual North American Vasa Nordic Skiing and Fat Bike Races

Still the Vasa vice versa with minor changes

Skiers

All Saturday races are freestyle (with a set of tracks), while all Sunday races are classic. The courses are the same as the 2017 Vasa (Vice versa Vasa) with minor changes as noted below.

The Okerstrom Marathon (~51 k) freestyle race is two loops; the first loop starts out on Riley's and joins the normal 27 k Vasa Trail after Jack Pine, bypasses the "Wall," continues up "Anita Hill," and through the Headwaters, before coming back to Timber Ridge to start the second loop. The second loop heads out of Timber Ridge through Jack Pine, and continues on the normal 27 k Vasa Trail up "Anita Hill" , again, but cutting out Headwaters, and returning to Timber Ridge for the finish. No registered skier will be allowed to start the second loop after 12:00 pm.

The George Kuhn Half Marathon (~28 k) freestyle race is the same course as the first loop of the Okerstrom Marathon.

The Korteloppet (~11 k)  freestyle race heads out to the normal 27 k Vasa Trail, past 4 corners, continues on "Special K" and then on the normal 10 k Vasa Trail in reverse, omitting Headwaters, and then heading back to Timber Ridge on the normal 27 k Vasa Trail in reverse.

The Saturday 6 k is a freestyle race and the Saucy Six Skate Fun Tour. This is the same course as the past few years, just skied in reverse. The race is to showcase the young racers from the area. The tour is for those that would like to enjoy a relaxed ski. Please sign up for the appropriate wave.

On Sunday, the races are all classic technique. The Lombard Loppet (~34 k) classic race is the same course as the first loop of the Okerstrom Marathon freestyle race with an addditional 6 k loop after the return to Timber Ridge.

The Chemical Bank (~16 k) classic race is the same course as the Gran Travers from the past few years, only skied in reverse.

The Sunday 6 k is a classic race and a tour. The race is the same course used over the last few years, just skied in reverse. The race is to showcase the young racers from the area. The tour is for those that would like to enjoy a relaxed ski. Please sign up for the correct wave.

Bikers

Again this year, the North American Vasa Fat Bike Races will be part of the Short's Brewing Company Fat Bike Race Series.

There will be two fat bike race distances, the 42km Grand Fat, and the 18km Short's-N-Fat. The courses will highlight the beauty of the Vasa Pathway, Riley's loop, Timber Ridge and the new Winter Sports Single Track.   Helmets are required.  Tires must be a minimum of 3.7 inches wide.

The King Vasa Fat Bike races are the first races in the Short’s Fat Bike Series, and are part of the Vasa Festival of Races held on Saturday, February 10. You won’t want to miss these premiere fat bike races.

The 42K (26.1Miles) Short’s Grand Fat will be a fun fast course again this year.  Riders will find a few new sections of singletrack throughout the course, including our new winter-only trail, Yeti’s Revenge.  Of course, riders will still encounter the old favorites such as Loggers Run, The Vasa Trail, and the Hills of Riley’s Loop combined with sections of the Winter Sports Singletrack. A race course with this much variety is uncommon. The partnership of the North American Vasa, Traverse Area Recreational Trails and Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association trails bring together an unbeatable trail network groomed to perfection. This year will feature a slightly longer course reaching a full 42K with more hills and new strategically placed singletrack. Racers will be hard pressed to find a better fat bike race course in Lower Michigan.

The new 18K (11.1 miles) Short’s-n-Fat will be one lap of the popular 42K course with a shortcut to bring it down to a manageable distance for most mortals. With plenty of singletrack and wide open trails for passing, this will be one fun course for racers or those just wanting to tour the best of Traverse City fat bike trails.

Event Line-up

Saturday, February 10th, 2018

North American Vasa Freestyle Events

Okerstrom Marathon (~51 K)

George Kuhn Half Marathon (~28 K)

Korta Loppet(~11 K)

6 K Freestyle Races  

Saucy Six Skate Fun Tour (~6 K)

Jr Vasa

North American Vasa Fat Bike Events

Short's Grand Fat (~42 K)  

Short's-N-Fat (~18 K) 

Sunday, February 11th, 2018

North American Vasa Classic Events

Lombard Loppet (~34 K)

Chemical Bank Classic (~16 K)

6 K Classic  Races

6 K Classic Fun Tour

Multi-Race Discounts

To receive the Multi-Race Discount you must register for all the races at once.

SkiFatalon (George Kuhn Half Marathon and Short's Grand Fat)

$20 Discount will appear at checkout

MI Cup Challenge (Okerstrom Marathon and Chemical Bank Classic)

$20 Discount will appear at checkout

Triple Threat (Okerstrom Marathon, Short's Grand Fat and Lombard Loppet)

$50 Discount will appear at checkout

Registration Process

Since the trail system is narrow, the waves are limited to 50 skiers. Wave placement is self-service. Please place yourself in the appropriate wave. If you are an elite skier, place yourself in the first wave of your event. For those needing help to select the appropriate wave, please click on any of the "Results" links to find out where you have finished in past races. If you consistently finish in the top third, then place yourself in the "elite" wave. If you are in the middle third or bottom third of the finishers, please place yourself in the later waves. Proper wave placement makes for a more enjoyable race for all.

To register for the 2018 North American Vasa (NAV) you will be taken through a few steps. The first step will be which race you would like to enter. The second step will involve your placement into an appropriate wave. Since there is a limit on the size of each wave, the earlier you sign up the better your chance of being placed in the proper wave. Please make sure you register for the proper event and wave. There are no refunds.

Past Results