Becoming a Worldloppet Master: On track to skiing 10 Worldloppet Ski Marathons
It’s not an easy feat to earn the title of Worldloppet Master: a title reserved for those who have skied 10 different Worldloppet marathons, on two or more continents.
With only two Worldloppets in North America, two on the Australian continent (including New Zealand), one in South America and two in Asia, all Worldloppet Masters will ski at least three events in Europe. Lumi currently offers guided group trips to nine of the 12 Worldloppets in Europe. The European Worldloppets are the most popular ski events for Lumi guests, who mostly come from the U.S. and Canada.
To date, three Lumi guests have earned Worldloppet Gold Master status while on their Lumi trip: Ken, Leslie and John. You can read about Ken’s inspiring journey to finish his 10th Worldloppet just before his 70th birthday: Worldloppet Gold before 70. I took this photo of Leslie after she crossed the finish line of her 10th Wordloppet at the Fossavatn in Iceland last April – it was great to get to celebrate this major accomplishment with her and the rest of the Lumi group afterward. This winter, I’m thrilled to announce Lumi’s first Master of the season: John became a Gold Master at the Dolomitenlauf in Obertilliach this past weekend.
John and other Dolomitenlauf & Marcialonga guests after the events last weekend
Next month at the Tartu in Estonia, long-time Lumi guest Hilary is planning to ski her 10th Worldloppet! Estonia is also the current headquarters of the Worldloppet, so it should be an especially fitting place to earn that achievement!
If skiing a full marathon to earn a Gold stamp is too far for you (anywhere from 42 to 90 km), the Worldloppet also offers the opportunity to ski the “short” half-distance marathon at each event (ranging from 21 to 45 km), which earns finishers a Silver Worldloppet stamp. Skiers can also earn the title of Worldloppet Silver Master by skiing 10 “shorter” distance Silver events, or by skiing a combination of Silver and Gold events.
Achieving the distinction of "Worldloppet Master" is about much more than collecting stamps. It's about the people you meet, the places you discover, the obstacles you overcome, the memories you make along the way and much more.
Want to ski your first or your 10th Worldloppet with Lumi? Let Lumi’s local, expert trip leaders support you before, during and after your race with race waxing (and ski cleaning afterwards!), bib pick-up and transportation, race strategies, a big welcome greeting at the finish line and a post-race celebration with your travel companions! Lumi is an official Tour Operator of the Worldloppet and offers a free Worldloppet Passport to all Lumi guests who don’t yet have a passport and are skiing a Worldloppet event on their trip.
Where will you ski it? Check out Lumi’s 2026 Worldloppet trips below. Sign up by March 31 to receive the $300 per person early booking discount on any 2026 Lumi trip.
See you on the trail,
Garrott
garrott@lumiexperiences.com
Founder & Olympian
Techniques: Freestyle & Classic
Distances: 21 to 42 km
Held in the high alpine village of Obertilliach, Obertilliach is known for its World Cup biathlon range and stellar grooming. At around 2,000 participants, the Dolomitenlauf is one of the smaller Worldloppet events and the loop course means the finish is very close to the start, making it a comfortable experience for participants and spectators alike. Pine forests, mountain views and open fields dotted with huts for drying hay line the course. In fact, you may remember a scene from James Bond’s Spectre, when an airplane explodes when it flies through a mountain hut. Yes, the course literally skis past where that scene was filmed.
Techniques: Classic
Distances: 45 to 70 km
The Marcialonga ski marathon in Italy is one of the most popular events on the annual Worldloppet calendar. The classic-only event attracts thousands of skiers every winter and registration fills within minutes. The trail winds its way through villages in South Tyrol’s Fassa and Fiemme valleys in the heart of the Italian Dolomites. Each town has its own special atmosphere, whether that’s a local band playing traditional tunes or kids lining up to practice their English. As an official tour operator, Lumi has special access to guaranteed Marcialonga entries.
Techniques: Freestyle & Classic
Distances: 21 to 45 km
In Oberammergau, a small village in the Bavarian Alps, the König Ludwig Lauf starts across the street from the Ettal Monastery, perhaps best known for its brewery. The course then takes skiers through a scenic high-elevation valley named after the Bavarian Prince Ludwig’s grandson, King Ludwig II. Skiers are rewarded with Schnapps at aid stations along the way and a bottle of Bavarian beer when they cross the line. Prost!
Techniques: Freestyle & Classic
Distances: 25 to 70 km
La Transjurassienne—or Tranju for short—is the main event that takes skiers 70 km along a historic route in the Jura Mountains. But 70 km is far, especially for a ski vacation (even when there's Comté cheese at aid stations along the course)! 50 km skiers also receive a Gold race stamp, and this year Lumi guests will be able to walk to the start line from their accommodations. With additional 25 km Freestyle and Classic events to choose from, the Transju is ideal for first timers and veteran Worldloppet skiers alike.
Techniques: Freestyle & Classic
Distances: 31 to 63 km
How about a ski race where you can sip warm blueberry soup along the course and enjoy a hot sauna and soup after you cross the finish line? Both the Tartu and Finlandia are alike in these ways. The main Tartu event is a 63 km Classic race, with shorter (31 km) Freestyle and Classic events too. At the Finlandia there are Freestyle and Classic options for everyone ranging from 20 - 62 km.
Technique: Freestyle
Distances: 21 to 42 km
There's no place like skiing in the Alps! It may be surprising, but Switzerland's Engadin is the perfect event for new Worldloppet skiers. Despite being surrounded by the towering Swiss Alps, the Engadin's course is gently rolling through the scenic Engadin Valley.
Techniques: Classic & Freestyle
Distances: 28 to 54 km
The Birken comes at a perfect time in March for skiers who are ready for an end-of-season challenge. The Classic Birkebeinerrennet traverses 54 km of mountainous terrain along a historic route from Rena to Lillehammer. All skiers carry a backpack that symbolizes the baby prince Haakon who was skied to safety by his mother Inga-Laami and two Birkebeiner warriors along this route in 1206. Along their journeys, Birken skiers are rewarded at aid stations with lefse, sweet Norwegian potato pancakes filled with cinnamon and sugar.
Technique: Classic
Distances: 12.5 to 50 km
Ready for a truly unique skiing experience? Extend your ski season with a trip to Iceland's special Westfjords region where the ski trails bring you up to stunning views looking out over the fjord. The course is steep and the weather can be hit-or-miss, but the fjord-views, community cake buffet, and local seafood banquet make for a truly special event.