The Ski Classics Challengers events Finlandia Ski Marathon Classic and Freestyle take place this Saturday, February 7, and Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Lahti, Finland.

The Finlandia Ski Marathon is considered Finland’s biggest long-distance skiing event and has been held since 1973. For its 53rd edition, the event is once again part of the Ski Classics Challengers series, featuring two races shortened due to weather conditions in 2026. The long course, planned initially at 62km, has been reduced to 42km, with a 42km Classic race on Saturday, February 7, and a 42km Freestyle race on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

According to the Local Organizing Committee:

“Lapped skiing may concern some participants, but we’ve addressed crowding by staggering start times. Most skiers in the first group will reach the final lap before the next starters, and we’re confident everyone will finish smoothly over both days,” says event director Markku Levanen in a press release.

The shorter events have also been adjusted. The medium course has been reduced from 32km to 29km, while the short course has been shortened from 20km to 16km. Skiers on the long course will complete three laps, the medium course two laps, and the short course one lap.

The Event

The Finlandia Ski Marathon takes place at the world-famous Lahti Ski Stadium, where both the start and finish are located. The stadium is within walking distance of Lahti town and has hosted the Nordic Ski World Championships and World Cup events on numerous occasions.

At the skier-friendly event venue, all services, from clothing storage and dressing rooms to saunas and post-event dining, are located within a few hundred meters.

The course runs through the beautiful Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark area, and according to the Local Organizing Committee, “the event has been developed in recent years to be livelier and more participant-oriented than ever before. The excellent atmosphere and the service provided at the feed stations raised participants’ ratings of the event to an excellent level.”

Finlandia Ski Marathon – Ski Classics Challengers

• Date: February 7 and 8, 2026
• Location: Lahti
• Country: Finland
• Distance: 42km for both Ski Classics Challengers events
• Technique: Classic and Freestyle
• Website: Finlandia-hiihto
• Facebook: Finlandia-hiihto  
• Instagram: Finlandia-hiihto    
• TikTok: Finlandia-hiihto  
• Registration: Finlandia-hiihto   

More information about the events can be found HERE – Classic and HERE – Freestyle.

Course & Profile

As the 42km races are Ski Classics Challengers events, Pro Team registered athletes can collect points for the Ski Classics Champion and Youth competitions in their respective genders.   

A list of Ski Classics Challengers events with confirmed dates for the season 2025/2026 can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.

Everyone participating in Ski Classics, Pro Tour, or Challengers events, as well as professional and recreational skiers, can connect their profile to Ski Classics’ results database, MyPages.

MyPages can be connected for free. In the profile, you can view your Ski Classics event results, collect pins, print diplomas, and analyze your results with friends in the SC ranking system. In your profile, you collect points according to your performance and are rewarded with pins and diplomas.

One of the central features of MyPages is that you get your global SC ranking. The SC Ranking is a live-updated international ranking that is unique for combining women and men, professional and recreational skiers, in a single list.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the World’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.

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

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