Alvar Myhlback trained 600 hours at age 12, won Vasaloppet at 18, and thanks Norway for helping him become so good.

Last week, he once again dominated the Norwegian national team stars. The Swedish teenager who won Vasaloppet and came within fractions of a second of beating Klæbo in a sprint last winter, won the Trysil Sprint with a comfortable margin.

“Yeah. It wasn’t exactly a shock. But if more nations had been here, I think I would’ve been beaten,” Alvar Myhlback told Langrenn.com after the prestigious show sprint in Trysil.

Also Read – Myhlback crushes the field at Trysil Sprint 2025

The final test is just around the corner. On Wednesday, the BLINK Festival kicks off, with both Myhlback and much of the World Cup elite on the start list.

Read More – Blink Festival 2025: Complete calendar

But the fact remains: the Swedish junior phenomenon continues to astonish the skiing world, and he has for years.

The story continues below.

Dominating the Seniors

Already at age 15, Myhlback won the overall Craft Ski Marathon but was disqualified for being too young to participate.

The following year, he got the Swedish Ski Federation to change the rules limiting how far juniors can race. Just months later, he made his debut at Vasaloppet, finishing 8th as a 16-year-old. In 2024, he placed 3rd, becoming the youngest podium finisher in Vasaloppet history.

And in March 2025, when he was just 18 years old, he won Vasaloppet after a furious final sprint.

He shattered the previous record by over three years. Until Myhlback’s win, Ernst Alm from IFK Norsjö was the youngest winner. Alm was 22 when he won the first Vasaloppet in 1922.

Also Read: Impressive Vasaloppet win for Alvar Myhlback

Myhlback has also won FIS sprint races and finished 3rd overall at Toppidrettsveka 2023, only behind Klæbo and Simen Hegstad Krüger. Last winter, he was just 0.2 seconds from beating Klæbo in a sprint.

Despite winning two golds at the 2024 Junior World Championships, he wasn’t selected for the national team this year, and he harshly criticized the team management.

In May, the super talent announced he would now go all-in on long-distance skiing. Myhlback signed a new contract with Lager 157 Ski Team, the Ski Classics Pro Team that has backed him since he burst onto the scene at age 15.

Read More: Myhlback goes all-in on long-distance skiing with Lager 157 Ski Team renewal

The story continues below.

“Everything changed when we moved to Trysil”

Langrenn.com caught up with the junior star, who surprisingly credits Norway for much of his development.

From age 11 to 15, his family lived in Trysil. According to Myhlback, there was so little to do there that he ended up skiing for hours, early and late.

He says that up until age 11, he was like most kids, playing soccer and doing many different activities. But then, something changed.

“Everything changed when we moved to Trysil. When I was 12, I trained extremely much for my age. But there wasn’t much else to do there besides skiing,” he says, adding:

“Those were great years. I loved living in Trysil. It feels like my second home. If it’s not optimal for becoming a great skier, it’s close. If they just upgraded the roller ski track a bit, it would be top-notch.”

The story continues below.

Broke all the Rules

During his time in Trysil, Myhlback basically did nothing outside school except ski. Speaking to Langrenn.com, he now reveals details of the massive training loads.

You said you trained “insanely much for your age” while in Trysil—how much are we talking?

“I was doing around 600 hours a year already at 12–13 years old. What I trained then was probably more extreme for my age than what I do now. It was definitely extreme,” Myhlback says, suggesting he’s currently at 900–1000 hours per year.

That kind of volume is far beyond what’s recommended for athletes that age. Did you ever think about that?

“No…”

Did any coaches or others comment?

“Yes. All the time. I’ve answered that many times. I didn’t train a lot because someone told me to. I just trained that much because I thought it was fun.”

What did they say? That you’d burn out or die young?

“Yes. A lot of people have said that about me. But I’m still standing. We’ll see what happens. But I don’t think it was that dangerous,” says Myhlback with a laugh.

How did you react when people warned you?

“I’ve always had strong self-confidence in what I do, so I ignored it.”

The story continues below.

Training Partner and Influence

Who did you train with, since your peers weren’t doing nearly the same volume?

“I actually trained many hours with Petter Myhr (six years older, now with Team Bygdø). He’s also become a really good skier since living in Trysil and going to high school there, the same three years we lived there.”

What did the Trysil years mean for the athlete you’ve become?

“It’s impossible to say exactly, but clearly it’s gone well so far. So, I think they meant a lot.”

You’ve already experienced so much, won Junior World Championship gold, won Vasaloppet, before you could even get a driver’s license. What motivates you now? Are there more trophies to chase?

“There’s plenty that motivates me, and there’s still a hell of a lot I haven’t won. There are other major races in the Ski Classics and the yellow bib. But if I decide to focus on traditional cross-country skiing, then the Olympics and World Championships would be long-term goals.”

P.S.: In July, Alvar’s younger sister, Vera Myhlback, also signed with Lager 157 Ski Team. The 16-year-old is considered one of Sweden’s biggest young talents.

Also Read: Swedish talent crushes competition at Trysil Sprint

Are you interested in Ski Classics and long-distance skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.