Come Race the North American Vasa!

The North American Vasa is one of the longest running cross country ski races in the U.S. Read the press release below to learn more about what makes this year's race special: 

King Vasa Club to be honored at 2025 North American Vasa

The 2025 North American Vasa will take place on February 8-9 at the Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Michigan. Online registration and volunteer sign up is available at vasa.org. The schedule includes events for all abilities including the 27K freestyle and 15K classic signature ski races, Junior Vasa, fat bike and snowshoe races, an adaptive/all abilities race, as well as the Michigan Cup and Collegiate combo challenges.

A new highlight to this year’s event is honoring skiers who have completed thirty or more Vasa races. These skiers will be recognized with a commemorative bib featuring the Royal Coat of Arms of Swedish King Gustav I Vasa. The bibs were created by Enjoy Winter, North America’s largest independent distributor of cross-country ski equipment. Based in Middletown, Wisconsin. Owner Andy Gerlach helped to create the King Vasa bibs. “We are pleased to provide the special King Vasa bibs. The bibs are made by one of our new partners, Noname, a Finnish apparel brand.” 

 Tom Sutter and Ernie Brumbaugh lead this list of accomplished nordic skiers, each having skied 43 Vasa races! 

Co-Race Directors, Ken Dawson and Cliff Onthank, are responsible for initiating this distinguished honor, and are thrilled to continue the Vasa tradition. Ted Okerstrom and Vogin Baic organized the first North American Vasa in 1977. The namesake for the North American Vasa was inspired by a notable journey made by Swedish King Gustav Vasa I who fled on skis from King Christian II of Denmark during the winter of 1520–1521 in the beginning of the Swedish War of Liberation.

Members of the King Vasa Club who are competing in the 27K freestyle race on Saturday, February 8 will have a special wave, starting first and ahead of the elite wave skiers. Tom Sutter and Ernie Brumbaugh lead this list of accomplished nordic skiers, each having skied 43 Vasa races. Sutter describes his experiences on the Vasa Trail as “cathartic.” He goes on to say, “I’ve skied on some amazing courses in North America and in Europe. The Vasa Trail is my favorite. The terrain and layout is unparalleled.”

Enjoy Winter is a proud sponsor of the 2025 North American Vasa, and is pleased to provide custom Noname race bibs for the King Vasa members who have raced more than 30 times!

There is a ton of snow, and excellent skiing for the Vasa in Traverse City! See for yourself in the photos below or visit Vasa.org for more information. 

We look forward to seeing you at this year's North American Vasa!