Nope, this isn’t about the Paris Roubaix or Tour de Flanders. This is about Ski Classics: the Worldloppet and the VISMA Ski Classics. What are these international events? How can you participate?

The Worldloppet is an international series of some of the world’s most popular ski marathons. In 2019, the Worldloppet celebrated 40 years since the organization started with 10 events in 1979, including the American Birkebeiner. Since then, it has expanded to include 20 ski events in 20 countries.

Worldloppet events offer the opportunity to experience skiing and culture in a foreign country. Each event uniquely highlights the aspects of the host country, whether that’s savoring brown cheese and waffles after the Birken in Norway, skiing through snow gum forests during the Kangaroo Hoppet in Australia or a fresh pour of Benedikter Lager after the König Ludwig Lauf in Germany.

After completing an event, skiers can have their Worldloppet passport stamped. Collect 10 stamps, symbolic of the original 10 event series, and a skier can earn the coveted title of “Worldloppet Master.”

In Europe, the Visma Ski Classics are perhaps the most popular series of marathons, for both elite skiers and spectators. All the Ski Classics are broadcast on Eurosport. The series is going into its 10th year and features 13 events for professional teams, including many of the Worldloppet events. As the name implies, Ski Classics focuses on classic marathons, like the Marcialonga, Vasaloppet and Birken. In 2019, it added its first skate marathon, the Engadin in Switzerland. The 13 events for the 2020 season are being announced over the next two weeks: SkiClassics.com.

Want to participate in an international Worldloppet or Ski Classics event? Lumi Experiences offers trips to both. Check out www.lumiexperiences.com for more information.