North American Vasa Ski and Fat Bike Race
The North American Vasa has been a northern Michigan institution since 1977. Initially a cross-country ski race, it now includes a fat bike and snowshoe race, making it the ultimate winter sports destination for the entire Midwest.
The North American Vasa takes place the first full weekend in February and is slated for February 8-9, 2025.
Vasa Cross Country Ski Events
The weekend includes several events for skate and classic skiers across two days, with freestyle events held on Saturday and classic on Sunday. In addition to multiple age categories, skiers can choose from several distances, including:
- High Schoolers - 6k
- Freestyle 15k
- Freestyle 27k
- Adaptive Ski Race
- Junior Vasa
Sunday’s classic events include:
- High Schoolers - 6k
- Classic - 15k
- 6k Tour (Freestyle and classic, non-competitive)
- Vasasaurus Stomp Snowshoe Race - 6k
North American Vasa Fat Bike Race
Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association is proud to groom and design the North American Vasa’s 40k and 20k fat bike races. The fat bike race starts and finishes at Timber Ridge Resort and takes place primarily on the Winter Sports Singletrack. It’s the last true singletrack fat bike race in the state and one of the most beloved winter trail systems in, well, the world! If you love riding the course or put in a lot of miles of training on the WSS, make sure you grab a grooming pass!
Both the 40k and 20k events include a short parage lap at Timber before heading to the Winter Sports Singletrack. The course is relatively flat, immaculately groomed, and accessible to beginners, making it ideal for those interested in fat bike racing. The Vasa is also part of the Northern Michigan Fat Bike Series.
In addition to the race’s two distances, there are also several age categories to vie for, plus the option to ski, fat bike, and then ski again on Sunday to be the ultimate winter warrior!
Registration for the North American Vasa is open through the Thursday before race day.