If you’re planning the perfect ski retreat, you don’t need to look any further. Race the historic Skinnarloppet in Malung and enjoy the endless tracks in the Swedish forests that will make you wish you had come here sooner.

Furthermore, travelling to Dalarna and Malung is probably much easier than you think. Malung is situated close to a lot of smaller airports (Borlänge, Mora, Sälen, and Torsby) where you can fly directly from Arlanda and thereafter rent a car. It is also possible to fly to bigger airports in both Oslo and Stockholm, since Malung is within a reasonable car ride from both capitals.

Speaking of car rides, the E45 road passes through Malung, which makes it easy to reach if you would rather take a road trip. If you are traveling from the south, you will also pass by the town of Torsby, mostly famous for its terrific ski tunnel. A lot of national teams use the ski tunnel during preseason, and it is a must‑visit for any cross‑country skier. 

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The biggest highlight this winter in Dalarna (apart from Skinnarloppet) is the World Championships in Falun. So why not race Skinnarloppet yourself and later experience the Championships live and watch all the superstars fight for the medals?

Falun is only a car ride away from Malung. Besides the World Championships, close to the date after Skinnarloppet, the Vasaloppet winter week starts off. Participation in Skinnarloppet is thus the perfect warm‑up. The racecourse of Skinnarloppet is very similar to the one of Vasaloppet. Moreover, historically the winner of Skinnarloppet and Vasaloppet has often been the same, showing that participation in Skinnarloppet is favourable for any Vasaloppet participant. 

So, whether you decide to go watch the World Championships in Falun or race Vasaloppet, Skinnarloppet is the perfect way to kick off the “ski‑cation.” 

But what about the days between the ski races? Well, those can easily be filled with other winter activities.

In many places within the region, it is, for example, possible to experience a dog sled tour, a truly remarkable experience. Together with the dogs, you get to enjoy a winter wonderland, similar to skiing but without having to do the work yourself.

If you would be more interested in longer tours, there are also plenty of different ski‑doo tours which can be done both in the forests of Malung and all over the region. When you crave a more relaxing activity, Malung offers a newly built swimming arena, located at the starting area of Skinnarloppet. The arena has both saunas and a modern spa, perfect if you need a break from the snow. 

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Lastly, when visiting Malung and Dalarna, don’t forget to try the Swedish fika with all kinds of different desserts, often accompanied by a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. When you arrive in February, the Swedish semla is in season, which is a quite particular dessert and a must‑try for any tourist. 

With that said, Malung and Dalarna offer a perfect ski journey at the end of February. Start off by racing the historic Skinnarloppet, enjoy the area with some local activities before watching the World Championships in Falun, and maybe top it off with participation in Vasaloppet. 

Skinnarloppet and Malung wish all ski enthusiasts a warm welcome to a winter wonderland this February. Hope to see you at the starting line. 

The link for registrations can be found HERE

Author: Rickard Ericsson, Skinnarloppet

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