A Brief History of the Worldloppet

“For the uninitiated, you may have heard the words, ‘World Loppet’, and have had some vague notion that it has something to do with cross-country skiing. And you would be right. The Worldloppet is a worldwide series of citizen ski marathons, though the majority of these races take place in Europe. Yes, there are elite, professional teams that compete in these races, but the vast majority of the skiers are very average folks.” This is how Lumi guest Ron Sawdey begins his What's the Worldloppet? Why a Worldloppet? reflection.

For those familiar with the Worldloppet, did you know that the popular American Birkebeiner or “Birkie” is a Worldloppet? It is and it’s the only Worldloppet in the US. In fact, the origin story of the Worldloppet League of international ski marathons is a fun piece of Birkie history…

Rewinding now to the fifth annual Birkie in 1978:

“More than 50,000 of the world’s most avid cross country skiers will have a new challenge beginning this year.” So began the 1978 press release announcing the formation of the Worldloppet League by nine of the world’s most renown ski marathons. “The foremost purpose of the League is to honor dedicated long distance skiers who, during their lifetime, have completed the courses of all the official Worldloppet races.”

Inspired by other race partnerships, such as the Euroloppet, a series of five events in Europe, American Birkebeiner founder Tony Wise dreamed of an international league of ski marathons where both elite and citizen skiers could compete, bringing skiers and cultures together at events around the world. To make this dream a reality, Wise mailed two plane tickets to eight of the world’s most famous ski marathons with an invitation to send their race director and a skier to participate in the 1978 Birkie. Directors and skiers from all eight events accepted the offer and arrived to participate in the fifth annual Birkebeiner, where Wise presented them with his idea. The Worldloppet League was born.

“Citizen skiers attempting to ski all the Worldloppet races will be issued with a special passport book, which certifies their completion of each race. A gold medallion will be issued to skiers completing all Worldloppet races, numbered from one, with the lowest number carrying prestige in future years…” The announcement of the Worldloppet Master achievement launched the race to be the first to complete all nine events. Due to two events overlapping the same date, the Finlandia and Birkie, it would be impossible for anyone to earn the Worldloppet Master in a single season. At the 1980 Birkie, second season of the Worldloppet, having completed the other 8 Worldloppet events, Hayward local Carol Duffy crossed the line ahead of all other candidates and was awarded Worldloppet Master number one, first of 315 skiers who were Worldloppet passport holders.

The following winter, a tenth Worldloppet event, France’s Transjurassienne, was added to the league, which is why completing ten events now earns a skier the status of Worldloppet Master. But the growth of the league did not stop at ten. Cross country skiing was booming in Japan, thanks in part to the success of the 1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics. The Sapporo Ski Marathon was added to the League in 1985 followed by Australia’s Kangaroo Hoppet in 1991. The opening of eastern Europe in the 1990s saw the induction of events in Estonia, Czechia, Poland and Russia. At its peak, the Worldloppet reached 20 events: complete all of them and earn the title of Global Skier. As international politics continue to impact international sport, Russia’s event has been suspended due to the war in Ukraine, making 19 current Worldloppet events and reinforcing the importance of events that encourage international travel and cultural exchange.

Today, over 23,000 Worldloppet Passports have been issued and over 5,500 Worldloppet Master titles have been earned as the dream of Birke founder Tony Wise lives on. Each Passport and Master title is more than an achievement; it represents countless friendships and stories of skiing around the world.

Lumi Experiences now offers trips to 11 different international Worldloppet events. Let Lumi organize your lodging, transportation, daily skiing, race waxing, most meals, and cultural experiences. Throughout your trip, receive support from local, expert trip leaders.

Would you like to ski your first or your 10th Worldloppet? There is still room on the following 2025 Worldloppet trips for the winter ahead:

• France-Transju – Only a couple spots available, ski through French villages in the Jura Mountains
• Tartu & Finlandia – Ski two Worldloppets on back-to-back weekends in Estonia and Finland
• Seefeld & Engadin – A gently rolling course through Switzerland’s scenic Engadin Valley, perfect for new Worldloppet skiers, especially skate skiers
• Norway-Birken – A historic Norwegian ski marathon route and Lumi guest favorite
• Iceland-Fossavatn – Lumi’s newest, most popular trip with fjord views from the ski trails

Bookings for these 2025 trips will close soon. Reach out soon to info@lumiexperiences.com to see a Worldloppet trip itinerary and sign up!

See you on the trail,

Garrott Kuzzy

Founder, Olympian and 9x Worldloppet event skier

Lumi Experiences: Cross Country Ski Vacations