Ski Classics Challengers Season XVIII starts this weekend with five events

by Leandro Lutz • 25.03.2026
Arctic Circle
The Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII concludes this weekend with Reistadløpet and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja. Meanwhile, Ski Classics Challengers Season XVIII is already getting underway with five events across Europe and Greenland.

The Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII concludes this weekend with Reistadløpet and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja. Meanwhile, Ski Classics Challengers Season XVIII is already getting underway with five events across Europe and Greenland.

The new Ski Classics Challengers season begins this weekend with events in Greenland, Sweden, Norway, and Italy. 

The upcoming Challengers events are Arctic Circle Race, a three-stage event in Greenland, Nordenskiöldsloppet in Sweden, Blåvegenløpet in Norway, Lofsdalen Epic in Sweden, and the Gran Finale a Saint-Barthélemy – Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre in Italy.

Arctic Circle Race

The Arctic Circle Race is known as one of the world’s toughest ski races.

This three-day event takes place in the magnificent and sometimes harsh landscapes of Greenland, north of the Polar Circle. Participants ski a total of 160km over three days, with temperatures that can drop to -25°C.

Each day, skiers reach a camp where they sleep in tents, prepare their own meals, and dry their equipment for the next stage. The event also offers unique cultural experiences, including traditional Greenlandic music, food, and local traditions.

More information about the Arctic Circle Race can be found HERE

Nordenskiöldsloppet

Nordenskiöldsloppet is part of the Ski Classics Challengers circuit with a 220km race in classic technique in Jokkmokk, Sweden, on March 28, 2026.

Considered the world’s longest ski race, the event follows a historic route dating back to 1884, when polar explorer Adolf Erik Nordenskiöld organized the race to demonstrate endurance over long distances.

Starting at 05:00 CET, participants have up to 30 hours to complete the course, supported by 16 feeding stations along the way. The race is open to both elite and recreational skiers seeking one of the sport’s ultimate endurance challenges.

More information about Nordenskiöldsloppet can be found HERE

Ski Classics
Photo: Nordenskiöldsloppet

Blåvegenløpet

Blåvegenløpet, first held in 1979, celebrates its 48th edition in 2026. The course runs from Umbukta to Klokkerhagen near Mo i Rana and attracts between 1000 and 1500 participants each year.

For 2026, the event offers distances of 7.5km, 15km, 28km, and 34km, welcoming both recreational and elite skiers.

More information about Blåvegenløpet can be found HERE

Ski Classics
Photo: TV Klipp AS

Lofsdalen Epic

Lofsdalen Epic became part of the Ski Classics Challengers circuit two seasons ago and features a 55km race in classic technique in Lofsdalen, Sweden. The upcoming edition will take place on March 28, 2026.

The race is set in scenic mountain terrain and stands out as one of the few long-distance events where participants use a lift to reach the start area.

More information about Lofsdalen Epic can be found HERE

Photo: Lofsdalen Epic

Gran Finale a Saint-Barthélemy – Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre

The Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre, part of the “Gran Finale di Chicco” event in Saint-Barthélemy – Nus, Italy, joins the Ski Classics Challengers circuit with a 50km race in classic technique on March 28, 2026.

Held at the Gran Tor Cross-Country Ski Center in the Aosta Valley, the event is also part of the Italian Cross-Country Ski Championships and will mark the farewell to competition of Olympic and World Championship medalist Federico Pellegrino.

The program spans three days, from March 26 to 29, 2026, featuring multiple race formats and distances for both elite and recreational skiers.

More information about the Gran Finale a Saint-Barthélemy – Gran Fondo Memorial Sergio Favre can be found HERE

Federico Pellegrino. Photo: Maxim Thore/BILDBYRÅN

As these events are part of the Ski Classics Challengers series, 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 Season XVIII (2026/2027) can be found at Ski Classics. The list is updated continuously with new events.

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

MyPages can be connected when subscribing to the Ski Classics online community proxcskiing.com. 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, including logging in to SC MyPages, where you can check your SC Ranking. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries.

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

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