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The annual Vasaloppet USA cross-country ski race in Mora has been canceled this winter due to lack of snow.
The race was scheduled to be held on February 10th, relying on artificial snow provided by volunteers. “Snow Farmer” — Stocks up each winter to increase natural snow along the trail.
However, organizers announced Thursday that “despite the heroic efforts of volunteer snow removal farmers, the existing 7km of artificial snow trails have deteriorated due to continued unseasonably warm weather.” With daily highs in the low 40s and no additional snow making or compaction possible this week, Vasaloppet will not be able to host a race worthy of its name. ”
Wayne Fredrickson lays artificial snow on the trails at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center in preparation for the Vasaloppet Cross-Country Ski Race in Mora on February 5, 2019. It will be canceled this year.
Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News 2019
Mini Loppet kids races will continue to be held along with other non-ski race week events. Organizers said on race day that they were “optimistic that there will still be short skiable loops left.” “We invite interested skiers to come for casual skiing and fellowship.”
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The origins of Versaloppet lace date back to 1973. This is a sister event to the race of the same name held in Mora, Sweden.
The Minnesota event traditionally features races of varying distances, with the longest being 54 kilometers.
The event has faced difficulties in the past due to lack of snow, and was canceled in 2012.
These challenges have prompted changes to racing, including efforts in recent years to “snow plow.”
This year, with unseasonably warm weather and a lack of snow, it has become a winter feature in Minnesota.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded just 2 inches of snow in January. The average is 11. So far this winter, only 7.3 inches of snow has fallen in MSP. This is about 2 feet below normal and nearly 50 inches less than the snowfall as of February 1 of last year.
Seasonal snowfall in Duluth is about 3 feet below normal, with only about 17 inches so far. Last winter, Duluth had more than 80 inches of snow at this point in the season.
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