Sports Shops Go to Start

Intersport - opposite Lille Torget on Gågata (pedestrian street)

Intersport - Mesna Senter. Red building slightly up hill opposite Intersport on main street.

G-Sport - junction of Storgata and Tomtegata

G-Sport - Gågata

Sport 1 - Jernbanegata/ Kirkegata junction. Next to Apotek (behind First Hotel)

Birksport (Eurotex Sport) - ski clothes. Lille Torget end of Gågata (pedestrian street)

Håkons Hall - from Friday there is a large shopping section with many manufacturers/ sport shops represented. This is where the sale prices will be.

Food Go to Start

Supermarkets everywhere in main street and side streets

Pasta restaurants tried:

Peppes Pizza - Gågata (opposite Wiessegata). Pizza Hut style service and presentation (i.e a plate of pre-cut pizza), but not as cheap as you'd expect. But for pizzas ok. They are thick and filling. For a group you'd order several and share slices out.

La Piccolo Italia - Gågata (opposite Wiessegata). traditional italian restaurant. Pasta and pizza plus other meals.

Dolly Dimple's - Storgata 84B, pizzas

Lillehammer Pizzeria og Ristaurante - Fåberggata 106. Slightly away from main town (although not too far if in hostel). Simple service but large portions of bread and pasta.

DOLOMITENLAUF, Austria - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• The Races and Entry Procedure
• Race Course and Start/Finish services
• Waxing
• Training areas
• Communication and information

Dolomitenlauf 2006

By Alistair Brown

Location

The races are based in Lienz, southern Austria, very near the Italian border, and in nearby Obertilliach

Location Go to Start

Access

From Salzburg Airport---Ryanair fly here. Take the number 2 bus from across the car park to Salzburg main station (Hauptbahnhof). Train to Spittal-Mittersee and change there to Lienz. Journey time about 3 hours, through spectacular Alpine scenery. Book at www.oebb.at

From Klagenfurt airport—Ryanair fly here too, which is nearer

Accommodation Go to Start

The Tourist Office   www.lienz-tourismus.at   0043 4852 65265   are very helpful, will send you a brochure, and also keep a running log of hotels with vacancies. Although it’s a small race, you still need to book early.

Sport Hotel. Grim, dowdy, unfriendly establishment on a busy crossroads 400m left out of the station. B&B only, expensive at Euros 47 pppn for single in a double ensuite. Those with better German than me will realise that the pool, sauna, and fitness room advertised on their website are "close to" the hotel, not "within it". There is a wax room, bring your own clamps

Gasthof Falken. Authentic Austrian guesthouse in a quiet location right on the tracks and 50m from Start. Good value at Euros 33 pppn for a single ensuite B&B, there is a good choice of evening meal that you can have either as a HB option, or better to go a la carte which is very cheap. Wax room in the garage, bring own clamps. Turn left out of station, left again at the lights, and bear left keeping the stadium on your right, until Eicholz St is on the left, about 10minutes walk.   Email gasthof.falken@aon.at   tel 0043 4852 71022

Races and Race course Go to Start

There are :

• Classic 42K in Obertilliach, believed to be a fairly demanding course in hillier terrain at higher altitude—more info needed
• Skating 60K and 25k. These basically go up one side of the valley and down the other,   beginning simultaneously as mass starts in waves from a field to the left of the stadium 10 minutes walk from Lienz centre and follow the same pancake flat course until a gentle incline    before Feed 1, after which the 25k loops off, and the 60k continues the climb. The only other climb is a steep one 300m long to the sprint at Nickolsdorf. Other wise the pancakeness continues across open meadows. Its one of the easiest and it has to be said less interesting Loppet courses. The Finish for both races is in the main square in Lienz, and if you’re bored on saturday its fun watching the guys laying the snow carpet along the pavement up into the town.

Competitor numbers about 1,200 I believe in total for all 3 races

Start and Finish services Go to Start

Start number collection (in 2006) was from the Stadsaal building, tucked away in a town square next to the Hotel Sonne, and it’s a complete shambles. The area is far too small, the computers don’t work, and the staff haven’t a clue, all very un-teutonic. There is no exhibition apart from a Toko man handing out leaflets.

They use timing chips with plastic ties which either snap, and/or dig into your other ankle.

At the start there is a Toko wax service, and a luggage truck.

At the Finish, baggage reclaim is in the open air in a neighbouring square, next to the meal tent. There is no ski safe-deposit, and if you want a shower you have to go to the tennis hall by the ski stadium.

Feed stations have drinks, biscuits, pieces of chocolate and bananas.

Waxing Go to Start

Apart from at the start, the only other place offering waxing was Intersport opposite the station, who also have a very small range of XC kit. Hervis sport, opposite the Sport hotel, have a slightly better selection.

Training Go to Start

Apart from the purposes of reconnaissance, ( you can go to Nickolsdorf by train to check out the hill) the local tracks aren’t very inspiring, so you could try training at Obertilliach or at Dobbiaco/Toblach which is about 30k away on the train line.

Communication and information Go to Start

The website   www.dolomitensport-lienz.com is pretty chaotic, and the pre race info omits some key facts e.g. where the start is.

DOLOMITENLAUF, 2006 - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

Dolomitenlauf Web Site Online registration is available but badly implemented. At the end of the race, transport (about 1k), back to the start is provided where the post race food and drink is to be found. A loipe pass was not needed to use the piste before the race.

Race route map

Lienz street map showing race start and end locations. The bib collection point is shown as REGISTER, in red on the map, and is in the sport hall located behind and to the left of the swimming baths.

Altstadthotel Eck altstadthotel.eck@utnet.at The advantage of this hotel is that it is situated at the race finish in the Hauptplatz. It has no wax room or ski room and no parking facilities. It only offers B&B and there is unfortunately smoking in the cafe/breakfast area.

Gasthof Pension Falken, Eichholz 1- A 9900 Lienz, Tel 0043 4852 71002. Located right on the start line. It looked pleasant enough from the outside, but I haven't stayed there.

Webcam from hotel Eck Shows view of the square where the race finishes.

ENGADIN, Switzerland - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• Travel
• Start area

Access Go to Start

Fly to Zurich then take a train from the airport to the Engadin valley, changing at Zurich HBf (main station), and Chur to get to St Moritz, additionally change at Samedan if going to Pontresina, Zuoz or Zernez. See http://fahrplan.sbb.ch for train times ----- some of the connections are tight, but don’t worry, this is Switzerland, they run on time. Travel time to St Moritz approx 3.75 hours. Try to travel during the day to appreciate the fantastic scenery.

In 2007 the organisers sent a voucher (which you show to the train conductor) to your home address giving free travel for the sector from Chur onwards and return, so you actually only need to buy a ticket from Zurich airport to Chur and return

Accomodation Go to Start

Pontresina Youth Hostel (2007)

From Pontresina you can ski up or down the race route or take the trail to the glacier at Morgeratch (very spectacular).

Travel Go to Start

To get around the valley there is an extensive network of trains and buses. On race day there is a huge fleet of free buses (covered by one of the vouchers sent to your home, and although no-one was checking vouchers it may be as well to take with you) leaving from various points in St Moritz to go to Maloja. The train from Pontresina to St Moritz (10 minutes) was also free, although the voucher wasn’t explicit about this. There’s also a bus from Pontresina direct to the start. After the race there are free trains back to points in the Engadin. Timetables and full details are in the race magazine

Start area Go to Start

The buses will drop you at the Maloja Palace Hotel from where allow 10 minutes walk to the start pens. The Swiss Army luggage lorries are at the back of the hotel. There’s no where to keep warm before the start apart from the lee of the Hotel (unless you’re mega rich and staying there of course). If you want a fast time you really need to put your skis in the pen very early.

ENGADIN, 2005, 42k, freestyle - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

I flew to Zurich from Manchester. The airport has a railway station. Here you can puchase a return rail/bus ticket to your destination. In 2006 it cost 160CHF for the return trip of airport to Maloja.

Engadin Web Site Online registration is available.

A loipe pass is needed to use the any of the loipe in the area before or after the race. A loipe pass pin is available from the LanglaufCentrum in St Moritz Bad (35CHF in 2005). I was stopped and checked by loipe police every single day.

Collect a copy of Marathonpost when you get your bib from the Health Spa building behind the LanglaufCentrum. In it (under Training: Mit Bahn and Bus errichen...) are details of train and bus times to allow you to get to various bits of the race route and try them out beforehand. I found it easier to ski 2k back from the finish and walk into S-Chanf to catch the train, rather than wait for the special bus to the same point. They seem to have stopped having a train stop at the temporary station at the finish area.

Race route map

St Moritz Youth Hostel Online booking available. Quite a reasonable hostel with 24hr access once you have booked in. I think the food was probably good, but I had a cold when I visited and couldn't taste anything. Very good facilities for ski storage/ boot drying. Whilst I was there the wax room was equiped with four ski harnesses. On the day before the race, this was still oversubscribed and private wax benches filled the corridors. On race day you have to walk about 1k to the Post bus stop to collect the bus to the start. Alongside the hotel is a narrow track that you can ski on for about 100m and pick up the race loipe, turning right for St Moritz Bad and left for Pontresina. Take soap, shampoo and towel for the shower, but bed linen is provided.

(2006) They went a bit funny when I tried to book this year and demanded that I stay a minimum of 7 nights, so I went to the hostel at Maloja.

La Margna Hotel A bit posh, rather expensive, good food, but badly placed for access to the piste; a rail or bus trip is always required. The ski room caters for downhill only, i.e. no wax room. I managed to cobble something up with a bench seat in a corner, but it was very unsatisfactory.

Map of Maloja

Maloja Youth Hostel. This is run by the Hotel Schweizerhaus a couple of hundred metres away. The hotel is visible from the bus stop at Maloja Post. There is no web site for the hostel, so contact them by email kwintsch@maloja-schweizerhaus.ch. Continental breakfast (a bit thin I thought) is served in the Schweizerhaus hotel and evening meals at the Postli if you go half board, or you can cook for yourself in the hostel kitchen. There is a small shop in the village to buy foodstuffs. There is no wax room but if you have your own wax table the foyer, where you store your skis, is large enough to work in. Don't forget a Swiss electrical adaptor for your iron. I didn't find it as comfortable as the hostel at St Moritz, but if you want to put your skis on the front line of your start group it's ideal as you can do it before breakfast. In 2006 the cost was 36CHF B&B plus 25CHF for a 3 course evening meal. The evening meal is served at restricted times. Buses run frequently to St Moritz, on average every 30mins.

Engadin webcams

FINLANDIA, Finland - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• Race and start/Finish services
• Waxing

Location

The race is in Lahti, a city in southern Finland about 100k north of Helsinki. Lahti has previously hosted the World Champs, the one where almost the entire Finnish team got done for doping.

Access Go to Start

From Helsinki —you can get a bus direct to Lahti. I just can't remember if its direct from the airport or if you need to go into town.

Coming back, there is at least one pick-up point in the centre of Lahti, as well as at the bus station which is just off the town centre.

Accommodation Go to Start

I wasn’t really paying attention because I went as part of a group but our hotel was called something like Black Cat. Right in the city centre, about 10 mins walk from bus station, in a pedestrian shopping area.   A bit noisy but convenient for the tracks which start 12 minutes away by the ski stadium. Wax room in basement, sauna available. Good breakfast

Race and start/Finish services Go to Start

Number collection is in the giant sports hall by the ski stadium, 10 minutes from the town centre, where also are an exhibition, large wax operation, baggage safe-deposit.

If you need the loo before the race, the toilets in the indoor football stadium next door are quieter than those in the number collection.

The Start is in the ski stadium, in staggered waves separated by 10 minute gaps. Its well organised and enforced as each wave is only allowed into the stadium once the previous one has started.

Immediately out of the stadium is a very steep 600m hill, which you also descend at the end to the Finish. This takes you onto a wooded ridge before dropping down. For much of the course there are only 2 tracks which can get a bit chewed up

At the Finish the post race meal is in the stadium basement, and there are saunas around the corner.

Waxing Go to Start

There is a team of about 20 waxers in the start number sports hall and a shop nearby on the way to the stadium.

JIZERSKE HORY 2006, Czech Republic - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

Jizerske Web Site There is a sort of online registration. I downloaded the application and payment forms, filled them in, scanned them then emailed them back to info@jiz50.cz .

There are two races, a 30k freestyle then, a couple of days later, a 50k classic. The freestyle race had 380 starters in one wave. The classic had over 3000 starters in four waves. There was a large heated marquee to change in and keep warm until the start.

30k race route map and 50k race route map

There are bmibaby flights to Prague from Manchester but watch out for ski charges when comparing prices. At the moment they are charging and additional �30 per pair of skis and won't guarantee to take them on the day. They were also late taking off in both directions.

Car hire is available at the airport from the usual suppliers but it is a good idea to book in advance, we used Alamo, tel 0870 400 4562 to book by phone from the UK. We booked snow chains, but the vehicle already had winter tyres fitted as standard, so they were not needed.

The road to Jablonec from Prague is almost motorway standard but gets a bit twistier after that. Webcam at Jablonec .

You can get good accommodation at http://www.rebarbora.cz/english/index.html. The pension is run by Jaroslav and is no smoking accommodation, which sold it to me. It lies about 3k to the east of the start of the races in Bedrichov. On the 50k race day the car parks are full, but Jaroslav took us to the start and collected us when we had finished. The cost for half board was only 13 euros per night. However, the evening meal was just one course so it was essential to eat out at lunch time. Even so I would highly recommend it.

JIZERSKE HORY 2008, Czech Republic - by Alistair Brown Go to Top

Further info to IAWLS advice (WL site) - 2008 Experience

Transport Prague (Praha) Airport to Liberec

Buy a 75 minute ticket (was 26CZK) for bus and metro at machine at bus stop located outside airport (stamp as advice says, but probably won't be inspected). Can buy on bus if you have no change (the ticket machines don't take notes) or bus as arrived when you get there.

Bus 100 to Zlicin (Metro line B terminus), journey time approx 15 mins

4 an hour during day, 2 an hour after about 6pm

Note: Zlicin is a bus terminus by an out of city shopping centre. Despite the sometimes confusing 'next stop' indications on the bus, if it doesn't look like a shopping centre and everyone doesn't get off then you're not there.

Metro Zlicin (Metro Line B terminus) to Cerny Most, journey time approx 45 mins (note this!)

Metro by bus terminus.

Note: The train to Cerny Most is the one with the passengers sat on (the other platform is for the train from Cerny Most to terminate).

Prague (Cerny Most) to Liberec coach, journey time approx 1 hour

Approx 1 an hour (2 an hour during morning rush hour).

Bus terminal located under metro station.

Cost 95CZK

Note: Pre-booked passengers are let on before other passengers are let on. Not booking is fine on the way out when it probably isn't busy or missing a bus doesn't matter. On the way back (when trying to catch a flight) e.g Sunday afternoon or Monday morning booking is probably advisable (not everyone got on the Monday 7.30am bus!). I assume that booking can be done at Liberec bus terminal.

Liberec bus terminal is located near railway station.

Transport to/from Bedrichov

Bus starts at bus terminal but also calls at terminal MHD in town (as well as other stops through town).

Same service on Saturday as during week (and Sunday I assume for none racers). In my case on Saturday they put extra buses (running in convey) to cope with extra number of skiers.

Bus terminates at Bedrichov ski stadium (race start/end). Bedrichov itself is about 1km walk away. There is useful bus stop just before the final stop (again by a car park) that also gives access to tracks. Although only a short distance form the stadium it allows some skiing away from the crowds.

Race Office/ Bus Pickup

Contrary to the advice the bus pickup was not outside the race office (this may affect where you book accommodation although note that the bus pickup is some distance from Liberec bus terminal/ railway station)

The race office this year was in Babylon Centrum (near railway station). The race bus pickup was in street Jablonecka (junction with Gutenbergova).

Languages

Czech (!). In Liberec area German appears to be the second language and even pidgin German will be more useful than English at times. Airport, coach conductor, tourist office, race office and some restaurants speak good English (even English menus).

Liberec Map

A slightly dated bitmap version attached (I'm sure I can find the link again if needed). A4 Paper (upto date) version available free at the tourist office.

Ski Shops

There are leisure clothes and downhill shops around Liberec but the only cross-country ski shop (with limited stock) I found was Sport 2000 in Moskevska street (near TI). Of course there are exhibitors (including wax suppliers) at the race office.

I didn't get a proper look at Bedrichov but did see a Craft (clothes) and downhill ski shop.

Food Shops

You ain't going to starve, there is a huge Tesco (as well as other supermarkets) in Liberec.

And finally

... there are an astounding number of Pharmacists in Liberec (some even open on Saturday)!

KESKINADA, Canada - by Alistair Brown Go to Top

Further Info to IAWLS advice (WL site) - 2008 Keskinada Experience

Accommodation
Stayed at the Holiday Inn Gatineau-Ottawa Plz Chaudiere (one of the ski hotels recommended on the website). With regard to skiing: - they provided early breakfast serving (starting at 6-6.30?) - this is normal so full breakfast choice was available. - dinner included a buffet choice which was basically each as much as you like which included pasta, potatoes, pizza choice as well as a meat, fish dish and salad. - 3 tables with extension leads were provided in the under ground car park for ski waxing. This allowed 6 pairs of ski clamps to be used plus any ski benches people may have brought. I didn't use these benches for classic ski preparation but for skate preparation these benches weren't busy when I turned i.e about 3 people. I got the impression since most skiers are Canadian they prepare their skis at home before driving down for the overnight stay. - the hotel didn't bat an eye at taking skis into your (pleasantly large) room - the race organisation came to the hotel Friday afternoon to provide info and sell bus tickets (see 'Race Transport')

Hotel Shops
The hotel is in one of 4 tower block complex. The other towers have council offices in. Serving these are a variety of shops and coffee shops as well as hair dressers, masseurs etc. These are assessed via walk way bridge from the hotel first level. I not sure what the opening hours are like outside office hours.

Flights
Air Canada. No issues with skis, see below.

The Air Canada site warns you to pre-book skis to avoid charge, I didn't buy from Air Canada so did this this by ringing booking line number a week before (did both out and back flights at the same time). I don't know if it made any difference but it was hardly a hardship. They also warn that the ski length is limited 203cm but they didn't say a word when I turned up with 210cm (like all airlines they have space for cross-country skis in normal containers, it's vaulting poles and ski jump skis they're trying to avoid).

Heathrow was concerned about weight of ski bag (i.e didn't mind I had stuff packed in it as long I didn't go over the 2 bag allowance). Ottawa didn't worry about the ski bag at all.

Airport Transport
There is a bus from the airport to Ottawa. Number 97. But you have to get from Ottawa to hotel across the river (see 'Bus Transport'). A taxi ($26 in 2008) is recommended, for ease (unless you are very confident of bus times and bus stops).

Taxis
Cars used although large have separate boots so skis have to laid diagonal from the back seat across front seat passenger.

Bus Transport
Two general points: - Ottawa (where you're likely to land) and Gatineau (where you're likely to stay) although only across from the river from each are in different Provinces therefore each have their own transport network with limited changing in Ottawa (on Rideau street). - Gatineau (and probably Ottawa) bus transport is like Britain in how its infrastructure, timing works, perhaps a shock to people used to skiing in mainland Europe but not once you realise this not an issue. For example: - buses use British timing system i.e the bus can be on time or 5 minutes late. - Tourist Info (Gatineau) had run out of time tables

Ottawa bus: OC Transpo (www.octranspo.com) [bus office with time tables, advice in Rideau shopping centre during 'office hours'] Gatineau bus: STO (www.sto.ca)

Worth downloading map of Gatineau bus routes (see Carte under 'Parcours et Horaires' on website, was www.sto.ca/pdf/carte_reseau.pdf, at time of writing) and looking up time tables in case Tourist info are out of timetables.

Bus doesn't given change. It is best to buy a 'book' of 6 bus tickets (was $15.6 in 2008). These can be bought in newsagents (apparently also at hotel receptions but Holiday Inn didn't, but since there is newsagents in the same building (see 'Hotel Shops' under 'Accommodation') that's not a problem).

Buses from hotel to Gatineau Park 31, 33, 35, 37

The 35, 37 are best for the way out because the pickup stop is just around corner from the hotel. However they stop at the Gatineau terminal (marked as Gabrielle-Roy on STO map) that is a short walk to the Mont Bleu school and the park entrance building (Relais plein air) - just follow main road. Note that: 1/ the terminal is open-air 'turn point' with bus shelters not a built up terminal 2/ the 31 bus stop is on the main road whilst the other buses go into the terminal

Number 31, 33 go past the park entrance but pick-ups are a little distance from the hotel.

On the way back 31, 33 stop in Eddy Street (just around the corner from the hotel)

Unless a 31, 33 bus really was imminent, I personally always travelled back from the terminal to give best options because it had bus shelters to stand in.

Race Office
In Mont Bleu school, note that this is a proper school and is only open for registration from 5.30pm onward on Friday because that's when the school has closed. If you go before you'll just find a school with kids in!

Bear in mind how late this time is if you're doing the Saturday race e.g considering transport to/from registration, eating and ski waxing.

Race Transport
There is no race bus laid on. Either:
- make your own way by taxi or sweet talking a fellow skier at the hotel
or
- take public bus

Only the Russians and appeared to take the bus in 2008 (although remember most competitors are Canadians who've driven down for the weekend). The bus times were fine for getting to start and regular enough to get back (effectively 4 an hour Saturday and 2 an hour Sunday). If you didn't manage to get a time table get the times from a previous ski trip and wait in the school before setting off to the bus terminal.

Although the normal book of tickets can be used since it is a public bus the race organisation sold a special ticket (still $2.70) that you travel both ways on one ticket (i.e effectively half price). These were on sale Friday afternoon in the lobby of the Holiday Inn (I assume they can be bought at the Race Office also).

Race Changing
Most people go into the registration hall to change/ wait etc. It is far less crowded (panic ridden!) if you stay in the canteen area (nearer the front of the school). You obviously miss out on the announcements of temperatures, how 'great it is see you all' etc but anything serious you'll hear about as you wander through to check your skis.

Note that use of the school is very civilised. There is plenty of space, it's warm and there are proper toilets (but still queues of course) and showers available.

Courses
The forest tracks are narrow.

For Classic this causes no problem no real problems for overtaking uphill (if wax working), downhill didn't cause problems even with a wide stance.

For Skate it made overtaking uphill difficult.

The park roads are just long. Some may find the uphills tedious. Downhill holding a tuck for the duration and possibly wind chill are the main issues.

Classic tracks are cut on the park roads (good for downhills) and will last due to road width.

Tourist Info
Gatineau tourist info located on Laurier near Pont Alexandra bridge is open every day (slightly shorter hours at weekend). Note that tourist info is signed (on maps and road) as a question mark (?) rather than an 'i'.

Maps
Pick up free A3 sheet maps of Ottawa/ Gatnieau at info counter at airport before heading off to your hotel, saves you having find Tourist info next morning.

Language
English and French. Although French is the national language in Gatineau (Quebec) most people could speak English well and didn't appear to mind having to (in fact you'll often hear people having bilingual conversations i.e each speaking a different language and swapping during the conversation).

Cash
Not really relevant but the prices seem to be like British prices i.e prices can be 1/2 cent rather than being rounded to 5, 10 cents like many European countries. Therefore you can easily end up with fiddley change like in Britain. Even worse, unlike Britain, they don't seem to have sized the coins to denote value. And the fact the coins and a note have Queen's head on only confuses things!

Food Shops
- See 'Hotel Shops' under accommodation. - Shopping centre (Les Galeries) that includes supermarket on St Joseph road, a bit of a walk from the Holiday Inn but the 33 and 37 bus past or near it so could get off on way to/from skiing. (Can by bus tickets in Reflexion the book/stationary shop) - corner shop Boucherie Monette on corner of Frontenae and Eddy streets. - Shops in Ottawa

Ski Shops
Did not see any in my limited travels but Pecco's were at the Race Office (with limited selection). Have shops in Ottawa and Gatineau, see www.Peccos.com for details.

And Finally
There seem to be a number of joggers around Ottawa city. Unlike this country and Finland they don't seem to wear more at -20degC than people Britain wear for +5degC!

KONIG LUDWIG LAUF, Germany - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• The Races and the Course
• Start/Finish services
• Waxing
• Training areas
• Communication and information

Location

Based in the historic Passion Play town of Oberammergau, Bavaria, near the Austrian border.

Access Go to Start

From Munich Airport ---from the train station in the airport you need two changes to O’gau. Either go into Munich main station (HBF), or its easier to go to Munich-Pasing, because the distance between platforms is shorter. Then you change again at Murnau. Total journey time about 2.5 hours

web site www.bahn.de

From Innsbruck airport—I have researched this but not actually done it. The website says get a train from Innsbruck to Oberau and then a bus to O’gau.

Accommodation Go to Start

O’gau is a major tourist village so accommodation is plentiful but as ever don’t leave it too late. Tourist office is at www.oberammergau.de

Gasthof Huber , 8 Welfengasse, email huber.evi@t-online.de cross the road from the train station and go to the right of the sports shop, 5 minutes walk. A delightful place in a quiet side street, B&B only, Euros 29pppn for a single ensuite. Its unmanned during the day but a note is left on the door about key access, and the couple who do breakfast are very helpful and friendly. There is a fridge stocked with beer and snacks in the corridor that runs on an honesty basis. You can wax in the garage, they put an old table in there, but bring your own clamps.

Town centre is 10 mins walk, but you can access the tracks by turning right from the house,left onto Sweden St, and go to the end. Verdict — highly recommended.

Bayerischer Lowe Gasthof. Small hotel in the centre of town, about 12 minutes walk from station. Has a good and popular restaurant. Major drawback is no wax room what so ever, skis are kept in the laundry room which has an unlocked external door straight onto the street

Races and the course Go to Start

There are 50k and 23k in both skate (Saturday) and classic(Sunday). The short classic starts in the afternoon. All are mass starts in waves. Competitor numbers about 3,000 in total

The course is broadly a circular one that starts on a field just outside the nearby village of Ettal and finishes at the stadium in O’gau. Its an interesting route, partly through woods but with long stretches across meadows. There is one very short hill just near the start, a moderate climb onto a ridge at about 3k, a series of climbs before Schloss Linderhof, and one steep climb of about 700m at the 30k point leaving the Schloss grounds.

The Schloss is a totally over the top rococo confection built by King Ludwig and is worth a visit (on another occasion unless you’re not worried about your finish time). Buses run from O’gau.

From the top of Schloss hill there's a long downhill to the meadows after which its virtually flat all the way to the Finish. It’s a bit of a grind across meadows but the last 2k or so are gently downhill. The bridge over the river right by the stadium can be a bit tricky.

Start/ Finish services Go to Start

Start number collection is at the Ammergau Haus, next to Toursit Info, on the main route through the town. There s an exhibition and souvenir stand.

On race days Free buses run from various pick up points in the town (details in the start info) and take about 10 minutes to the start. ( For the shorter race in the afternoon buses leave only from the stadium) There are no significant traffic hold ups.

At the start are the usual baggage trucks, Toko waxing, and a tent you can huddle in if its cold.

The finish has ski safe-deposit, a new (2006) free pasta tent, and inside the sports hall are baggage reclaim, showers, and sandwiches, bananas, chocolate, beer, soup and orange.

Buses go back to the start if you’ve left the car there

Wax services Go to Start

Both Sport Papistock, opposite the station, and the other sports shop in town set up wax tents on the Friday, and Toko are at the start.

Training Go to Start

The tracks start on the edge of the town centre, on either bank of the river. There are another set of tracks that start from the bridge by the station that go down the valley towards Unterammergau.

Communication Go to Start

The web site is good, and the programme in the start pack is outstanding.

KONIG LUDWIG LAUF 2005, Germany - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

Konigludwiglauf Web Site Online registration is available. A loipe pass is not needed to use the loipe before the race. Collect bibs at Ammergauer Haus, which is where the information centre in Oberammergau is also located.

Race route map

Map of Oberammergau

Map of loipe in the area

Gastof Rose , Dedlerstrasse 9, 82487 Oberammergau. Email: Gasthof-Rose@t-online.de Tel: 0049 08822 4706. Accomodation is plain but comfortable and the food is good. Halfboard for two cost 80 Euros per night in 2005. Landlady speaks good English. It is not a smoke free hotel. It is 5 mins walk to the loipe on the other side of the river. Wax room is the garage and an old table. On race day, the pick up bus stops outside the hotel front door.

Cafe Hochenleitner , Faistenmantlgasse 7, 82487 Oberammergau. Tel 0049 08822 1312 in the evenings. Self catering apartments for 2 - 4 people. Cost from 34 to 46 Euros per night. Breakfast available at 6.50 Euro per person. I didn't stay there but it looked very good. It is a couple of minutes further from the loipe than Gastof Rose. Nice landlady who speaks reasonable English.

Webcam at Oberammergau

MARCIALONGA, Italy - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• Cavalese

Access Go to Start

Fly to Munich or Verona and take a train to Trento.

Fly to Verona (Brescia) with Ryanair and take the special bus to Verona train station, then train to Trento (remember to endorse your ticket in the machine on the platform or you will be fined). See www.trenitalia.it

Trento is a better place to pick up buses than Bolzano, as buses largely follow Province boundaries.

From Trento train station turn right, bus station is 100m, from where numerous daily buses that run the length of the Vals di Fiemme and Fassa . Journey times Cavalese 1:20, Moena 2:00, Canazei 2:40. Very cheap fares. See www.ttspa.it

Accomodation Go to Start

Hotel de Ville, Moena (2007)

From Moena you can ski on the race tracks, or if snow is scarce you can use Centro Sci Fondo Alochet, (about 7km of tracks) up a steep side valley , free ski bus from the bus station—even if you have a hire car, take the bus as the road is treacherous in snow

Albergho Dolomiti, Passo Lavaze

Albergho Dolomiti is a cosy place , good food, happy to cater for veggies. Sauna, gym, wax room with 2 forms and there is another wax room which may be available for race week, or might be reserved for Teams. Half Board E50.

The only other facilities at Passo Lavaze are Sporthotel Lavaze, Albergho Bucaneve, a ski hire place (doesn’t sell wax), ski school, and a phone box

Cavalese Go to Start

The is the finish point of the race but if you are thinking of staying here be aware that Cavalese is set half way up the valley side and the tracks are 3km away in the valley bottom. There are ski buses and I think there is a ski lift but you’d need to research access

MARCIALONGA 2005, Italy - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

Marcialonga Web Site Online registration available and a well laid out site. A loipe pass is not needed to use the race loipe before the race. Buses are laid on to take you from your hotel to the start and back to your hotel from the finish. Don't spend the whole afternoon in Cavalese though as the buses do not run the whole day. Bib collection is in the Congress Palace in Cavalese. The information centre is located in the same building.

Race route map

The hotels in the region don't seem keen to reply to emails. I found it best to book via FIEMME RESERVATION
Via Fratelli Bronzetti, 60
38033 Cavalese (TN)
Tel. 0462.341419 - Fax 0462.231621
E-mail fiemmeres@cr-surfing.net

Albergo Torretta (2005) A very pleasant hotel with good food. The ski room is small and there is no waxroom or bench; I cobbled something up on a table. Their web site is correct, the hotel is only 100m from the loipe. Unfortunately this is a 1k loop, poorly maintained and many kilometers from the race route. There is another, more extensive loipe on the opposite side of the road which runs through Bellamonte. However this goes through woods and the tracks were very dirty with pine needles and twigs. You are best off travelling to the race loipe for your practice. The regular bus to Predazzo stops outside the hotel front door. On race day, the pick up bus stops at the same place. The best email address for them is hoteltorretta@cr-surfing.net  and if you phone (0462 576120) it is best to ring about 9am and speak Italian (ask for Rita).

(2006) Stayed here again, but landlady was less friendly.

Webcam at Campitello

Another webcam

TARTU, Estonia - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• Races
• Start/Finish services
• Waxing
• Training areas

The race starts at the village of Otepaa, although the Race HQ is in Tartu about 40k away, which is about 180k south of Tallinn. Estonian is an unusual language but is similar to Finnish, so that helps you a lot. Actually many of them speak English

Access Go to Start

Ferry from Helsinki—in 2006 they changed the dates of the Loppets so that the Finlandia and Tartu are on successive weekends. There are frequent ferries from Helsinki to Talllinn, then see below--- more info needed

From Tallinn Airport — Easy Jet fly here. From the airport take a bus into the bus station (tickets available from the newsagent kiosk) and then another bus to either Tartu or via Tartu onward to Otepaa. You may need to change buses in Tartu, check with the bus driver, and cross check with fellow passengers.

The bus times bear little resemblance to those on the bus Website but they are pretty frequent and very cheap. There's no need to book in advance.

There are trains to Tartu but Ive heard they are slow

Accommodation Go to Start

Your choices are to stay in either

Tartu —this is a large town where Race HQ and number collection are. I understand it has a wide range of hotels but I understand only limited  skiing

Or Otepaa —a village where the race starts 40k or so from Tartu. There is a Tourist Office who can help you (?? Web address/phone), and about half a dozen hotels and couple of restaurants. There is a well-stocked supermarket.

Estonia National Olympic Training Centre, Otepaa. I booked this via Kalevala Travel Agency, but you could book direct. An extraordinary concrete flying saucer built by the Soviets and now gradually crumbling. Rooms are singles in pairs sharing a bathroom and for some reason a 1950s Eastern bloc fridge. Half Board is embarrassingly cheap, food is simple but nutritious, may need supplementing at the supermarket. Rooms have TVs. There is a wax room with as I recall some basic vices but take your own in case.

The place was almost empty and even on the night before the race was only half full.

Located 50m from the stadium and the tracks. From the bus station in the village get a taxi, or continue right up the main road for 300m, turn left by the stadium for another 200m.

Races Go to Start

There are : Ladies only 16K, and 31k and 63 k, the latter two are in either mass start in waves, or in Open Track format the previous weekend.

Competitors in the mass start = 4,000 approx

It is a linear course which is a mass start in waves from Otepaa stadium, and takes you through woods and meadows to the Finish in the woods near Elva in the middle of nowhere. There are a few hills but only one long fairly shallow climb that could be called anything major.

If you stay in Tartu there are buses to the start .---more info needed

If you stay in Otepaa you could go into Tartu to collect your start number but the Office is a little way of the town and I understand there is no exhibition. Alternatively start numbers are available on race day in the area between the road and stadium

There are several tracks cut so after the first few K so there is little congestion. Very few spectators although they make up in quality what they lack in quantity by banging metal dustbin lids together

Start and Finish services Go to Start

I don’t recall seeing a wax service at the start. Coaches for bags are in the top car park.

At the finish there are tents for changing and the meal. Don’t think there are showers or ski safe deposit. Baggage reclaim is in the open air with an eccentric filing system that baffles me even now. There are buses back to Tartu and Otepaa.

Wax services Go to Start

There are one, maybe two sports shops in Otepaa, one of which certainly waxes. Also down the ramp in the basement of the hotel opposite the ENOTC, they did an excellent job on my skis.

Training Go to Start

There is a smallish network of quite tough training tracks just by the stadium, or it’s a case of using the race course out and back as it doesn’t seem to develop into a network.

TRANSJURASSIENNE, France - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

Transjurassienne web site. Rather confusing.

Route map. The start is on the lake at Lamoura. Loipe preparation for the first 22k in 2006 was very poor, one quick piste the night before on lots of fresh snow ensured that the going was very slow. Save some energy for the hill out of Bois d'Amont towards Les Ministres, even though you are queueing (again) it goes on for quite some time. You have to buy a loipe pass if you want to practice bits of the route before the race.

Their web site suggests that you book accommodation via Sylva Tours. I can not recommend this. They placed me in St Claude, which was utterly useless being a small industrial town, below the snow line, miles away from the nearest loipe and without usable transport links to any points on the race route. Thank God I had a car. It was also a nightmare to book through them, taking two attempts and umpteen emails. If you choose to stay in Les Rousses (the start of the 54k race) the prices are pretty high.

Collect your bib (dossard) in Morez at the Espace Lamartine Trans'organisation shown on the map.

TRANSJURASSIENNE 2008, France - by Alistair Brown Go to Top

Further Info to IAWLS advice (WL site) - 2008 Transjurassiene Experience
Stayed at Le Cergue (in Switzerland). Easy train trip from Geneva airport.

This is one race, that unless you've booked suitable accommodation, flights early, know the bus times around the area and the course hasn't changed I'd recommend doing with a car, either that or stay in Morez and accept you may see no snow until race day.

Flights
Flew British Airways. No issues with skis, no charge.

Transport from Airport
Train (Switzerland) www.sbb.ch/en www.nstcm.ch (for Nyon - La Cure line, although covered by main SBB site)

Transport to Le Cure from Switzerland
There are no early trains to Le Cure from St Cergue. These are weekday only.

Transport around area
Bus provided by Jurabus http://www.jurabus.com/

Note that some of the buses can be poorly marked (i.e coaches with board on dash board), e.g in Morez. Also they are definitely request buses - make sure the driver sees you.

Ski bus provide by ?? Note that this ran on Saturday (and Sunday I presume) despite the fact that the tourist information and race office info suggested that it wouldn't.

Accommodation
Stayed at Hotel de la Poste, Le Cergue. Fixed 8am continental breakfast. Double and single rooms have double bed but double room is larger. Waxing could be done outside, behind the hotel. Need own ski bench and may need extension lead if ironing - there were sockets just inside the building.

Where to Stay - General
What we found... For races starting in Les Rousses (normally 54km races)

Morez - good railway access (from Dijon). Industrial town. Sparse ski bus service (see transport). In valley so will need to travel to any snow. La Rousses - sparse ski bus service. Train access to La Cure need transport between them. Beautiful town. At snow level if any around! La Cure - good railway access (from Geneva). 1 hotel, duty free shop and border buildings (shops in Les Rousse or Le Cergue). Track access.

Where to Stay - Race Bus Pickup
Morez - . Race office. Recognised race bus pick-up. Les Rousses - start of 54km races (normal course). Recognised race bus pick-up. La Cure - couple of km from Les Rousses (so probably expected to make own arrangements). For altered course was recognised race bus pick-up (car park next to Customs building) - note for return had to ask driver to divert on way to Les Rousses. Website didn't suggest that La Cure is normal race pick-up for 76km Lamoura buses (check with race office?).

25km (Chapelle des Bois). No race transport is supplied from surrounding area (for both normal and altered course).

Ski Shops
St Cergue - 2 small ski shops. Very limited cross-country stock. More downhill/ snow shoe related. Les Rousse - 2 ski shops. One well stocked Intersport. The other is more downhill but does sell a selection of cross country clothes, waxes and boots etc. Morez - has well stocked Intersport ski shop. Plus any suppliers who are displaying at the Race Office, note that strangely Toko displayed waxes at the race office but apparently didn't sell them (told you to go to the shop).

Food Shops
St Cergue - a well stocked small 'supermarket' shop, open every day of week (with limited hours). Plus a couple of bakers. A suitable selection of restaurants for evening meals.

Maps
AA Touring Map 13, Burgundy & Franche-Comte was good start. Jura loipe maps (available for sale on request from Tourist Info?)

Languages
French (and some simply English), in both countries.

VASALOPPET, Sweden - by Steve Elliot Go to Top

• Access
• Accomodation
• The Races and Entry Procedure
• Race Course and Start/Finish services
• Waxing
• Training areas
• Vasa museum
• Sports injury

Location

The Vasa is the world’s oldest, biggest, longest, and most famous Loppet, running from Salen to Mora, about 170m north west from Stockholm.

Important note

Because of its popularity, it is crucial to organise all your logistics well in advance, starting as early as March/April the previous year.

Access Go to Start

Flights to Mora—SAS discontinued flights from Stockholm to Mora in 2006.

Flights to Stockholm Vasteras—Ryanair fly here, info needed

Flights to Stockholm Arlanda, the main airport— Take a train from Arlanda Central rail station  within the airport. It can be hard to find, located downstairs from the Sky City shopping area, accessed by anonymous lift/escalator opposite the Arlanda business centre. You DO NOT want the station for express trains to Stockholm, which is completely different.

It is essential to book trains in advance, which will give you a reserved seat, at http://www.sj.se, or by phone, number available on the last page of their booking section. Booking is available up to 90 days in advance. Tickets booked by phone are collected from an equally anonymous Swedish Rail (SJ) desk just before going down to the trains or if you have been given a booking code, from a terminal cunningly hidden in a mysterious grey tube at the same location. Trains may be direct to Mora or you may have to change at Borlange. Journey time about 3.5 hours.

If you need a taxi on arrival at Mora, its advisable to ring ahead to reserve it on 0046 250 15000 as there may be none at the sation when you arrive.

Onward travel to Salen---If you are staying in Mora, you should purchase a bus ticket to the start at Salen when you collect your bib.

Airport hotels---if you need to stay overnight nearby, there are a couple of expensive business hotels, or try the town of Uppsala, on the Mora side of the airport. The Samariterhemmet is a little gem, a Church of Sweden guesthouse mainly used by trainee vicars but open to the public, 400m from train/bus station, turn left and take second right. B&B only, but there's a kitchen, about £35 pppn in a quaint old house with wood floors and oil paintings. www.svenskakyrkan.se/samariterhmmet, book by phone only 004618103400. Bus line 801 from all terminals, runs from 0300 to 2400, journey time 40 mins, price £6.

Accomodation Go to Start

Rooms are like gold dust so it is absolutely essential to book early , the previous summer. The tourist office www.Siljan.se 0046 248797200 can help, and have a brochure.

Your main options are to stay either at the Finish in Mora and travel to the start, or stay in Salen at the Start.

Salen accommodation ---info needed

Types of accommodation are :

Hotels---the few hotels in Mora make a packet by hiking their prices something rotten for the Vasa weeks. They operate individual booking systems, through their websites, whereby during the previous summer they accept booking requests, then around September fit them together and tell you if you’ve been successful, at which point a non-refundable deposit is needed. A further deposit or even non –refundable full payment is needed at Christmas, so make sure your holiday insurance is in place in case you have to cancel !

As most people only stay a couple of nights, and hotels are empty up to the Thursday of week 1, if you want to stay say 3 or more nights then you have a better chance.

Private rooms - Bookable through Siljan Tourism, you can get a room in a private house. Negotiate breakfast with the lady of the house.

B&B ---info needed

Self catering—there are cabins available locally

Camping - there is a large caravan site on the Vasa course right by the town centre, and several more in the area

Youth hostels - at least two in Mora

Meals---for some reason, evening meals in hotels/restaurants are very expensive, whereas they have cheap lunch buffets. Once the races start, they seem to have slightly cheaper set menus, and also serve breakfast to non-residents

Hotel Kung Gosta, Mora —a mediocre business hotel located 5 mins from train station, turn right then left up the hill, visible from the train on the right. Profiteers by trebling its prices from the Thursday of Week 1 from £42 B&B for a single person in a double ensuite, to £135 for Half Board. Two people sharing a double would be £76 each. Pool/sauna is £7 extra a go. Meals are OK, nothing special, dining room has a microwave so you can use your own porridge ! Temporary wax hut with 10 wax horses, but only ready from Thursday of week 1, although meantime they will let you use the Kristenberg hostel. Located 10 mins from the Vasa Hus area, ( see below) and 20 mins from the tracks.

Verdict—poor value for money, but it depends what else is available

www.trehotell.nu   0046 250 15070.

The same people also own the Kristenberg Hostel, Mora 150m away, a self catering place, but you could use the Kung Gosta for meals. Prices marginally cheaper at £107 room only for single in a double down to £46 in a multi bed dorm. Has a free sauna, and a permanent wax room in the basement.

The Races and entry procedure Go to Start

The Vasa isn’t just one race, oh no, its a 10 day festival, see www.vasaloppet.se The full 90k version on the Sunday of Week 2 (always the first Sunday in March) has a special cultural and sporting symbolism for the Swedes, has 5 hours live TV coverage, and the winner becomes a national hero, assuming they are Swedish, which they normally are. The great Bjorn Daehlie, multi Olympic champion, entered once, came 35^th, and never came back. Just to enter the race is a sign of commitment and seriousness.

There are two “Open Track” ( see general section) 90k versions the preceding Sunday and Monday, accompanied by Half, One third, One Third ladies only, relay, and Skating versions (all the rest are Classic).

The numbers are astonishing—the Vasa has a limit of 15,000 and sells out in about April the preceding year, so it is vital to enter very early. Other races have from 3,000 to 7,000 entries which in their own right makes them major races but it is not essential to enter so far in advance—but you might as well, because you need to arrange a room early.

Race Course and Start/Finish services Go to Start

The Vasa website is very good, and they send you a “Start Memo” in January, so the info below just complements that.

All the services in Mora are in the Vasa Hus/Strandens school area just off the town centre, 500m left of the train station.

The Start Number tent has a wax service, huge shop with clothing, waxes, skis etc, and sells bus tickets (£13) to the Start.

Your start pack includes a timing chip, the usual plastic kit bag,   an extra luggage label for a rucksack etc, a repeat of the Start memo, and a medical info sticker.

The Intersport shop on the main street also has a large waxing operation.

The buses from Mora to the start leave from the playground within Strandens school only, no stops en-route. Put your skis & poles in a bag and put them in the luggage compartment. Try to pick a coach with a loo as despite what officials tell you, journey time is anything from 1.5 to 2.5 hours, due to traffic jams. This makes it difficult to predict your arrival time at the Start which isn’t so much of an issue for the Oppet Spar version, but for the Vasa you need to have a strategy to keep warm in case you arrive at the start very early. Conversely, you need to keep calm if you’re running late, keep your energy for the race !   On balance, the advice is probably to get an early bus.

The course is a linear one from Salen to Mora, and shorter versions pick it up lower down, similar bus services to the Start for all races. The start for the Vasa is a mass start in waves, for the Oppet Spar an Open track, and for some of the others its a staggered time wave start.

Put your bags onto a truck, or leave them by the start pen, they will be picked up.

From the start field, the course runs straight for about 1k, then turns sharp right to begin The Climb, about 3k of a pretty steep hill. You probably will have no choice but to walk very slowly, which unless you’re trying to win the race, will save you blowing up later on. From the top of the hill theres a series of gentle downs, not the big descent that the profile suggests, then a long slog across a flat section. After that it’s a series of gentle ups and downs. The ups will get slushed from people herringboning, and the downs, while not inherently tricky, get chewed up by people snowploughing ( beware the exit from Feed 2). There's a nasty spot under a bridge at 1.9k to go.    The road crossings, whilst not marshalled, seemed to retain snow coverage ok.

For the first 50k or so, 6 lanes are cut, then 4 . In the Oppet Spar, there were only a few occasions when the tracks were so busy you had to stay in lane for a prolonged period, but there are always people within sight .

The Feeds all have the same facilities—buns are the only food, plus blueberry soup, orange energy drink, salty hot water, First Aid, proper toilets, large waxing station. The mini-feeds are private ones for clubs/companies but I’m sure they would help you if you were desperate.

The Finish takes you through the park and up into the town centre. The Finish line is the gantry that says “In the footsteps of our Fathers, for the victories of tomorrow”. Finish services stay open until 2100, and if you can its nice to go and cheer on the late finishers. Theres a tradition that the winner of both men and womens races in the Vasa receive a huge garland as they ski down the finishing straight, and it’s a moving sight to see people waiting by the track for their loved ones holding mini-garlands.

Baggage reclaim is either in the open by the bus park in Strandens school, or at St Micheals school(bus service) depending on your start number. There is also Lost & Found, (Hiitat-Lanat), First Aid, and don’t forget to get your free “Diploma”, and you can also buy a print-out of your split-times.

The tent for the post-race meal is by the start number tent, this seems to be £4 extra, buy a ticket when collecting your number. There are various free-lance hot dog stands etc.

There is a time limit for reaching each Feed, which, whilst generous, is strictly enforced. The last part of the course is floodlight, but if you anticipate being out beyond dusk at about 1730 it may be worth taking a head torch.

The usual comment about notifying the race officials if you have to abandon the race applies, as their sophisticated chip system tracks your progress and they will search for you on the course if you haven’t passed the finish line.

Waxing Go to Start

According to a local guru, temperatures and snow conditions can vary significantly along the course. The shop in the start tent has staff from all the wax companies to advise you

Training areas Go to Start

Apart from the race course itself there don’t appear to be that many tracks in the area. If you arrive in week 1 before, and the track into Mora town centre is prepared, then access it between the Zorn museuem and Claras Restaurant on Vasagatan. It's 3k before its joined by other tracks which could present a problem in training on days when there's a race on.

Vasa museum Go to Start

The Vasa Hus by the finish line has an excellent museum complete with film in the basement

Sports injury Go to Start

There's an excellent osteopath/sports massage service called Teamed at 28, Moragatan, on the corner of the bus station tel (0250)16190. Like most Swedes they speak perfect English.

VASALOPPET 2006, 90k Classic, Sweden - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

The race was very well organised. I booked accommodation at a private house through Siljan Turism . It was within easy walking distance of the finish at Mora and very good; highly recommended. SAS cancelled their route to Mora from Stockholm a few weeks beforehand, so I travelled by train. This proved easy as the railway station is connected to Arlanda airport and you can sort out the times with the International Rail Planner by entering 'Stockholm central' and 'Mora station' in the From and To boxes. You have to change trains at Borlange.

Vasaloppet web site

Across the road (Stradgatan) and the railway line from the race finish area, at Vasaloppets Hus, was a large white restaurant tent. Here they sold buffet meals at about �7 each with a vegetarian option two meat options and fresh fruit. The choice doesn't change much and gets a bit tiring after a few days, but it was excellent value for money. I don't know if it is a regular feature of the race. Nearby was the tent where you collect your registration bib, buy a bus ticket that will get you from Mora to the start at Salen on race day and buy yet more waxes to carry in your baggage.

Mora webcam

Mora street map. The map is a little out of date. The point marked as Siljan Turism is the railway station where you disembark, but the tourism office has moved away nearer the town centre. Here is a more detailed map of the town centre. Mora kyrka is the church that is useful as a navigation tool when lost. Many of the shops are on Kyrko-gatan.

MISCELLANEOUS - by Alan Shepard Go to Top

RHEIMS, France

Rheims street map. If you are driving to a European loppet, Rheims is a handy overnight location. I tied my trip in with a self drive holiday booked with Crystal. This included the tunnel crossing 'free' and good rates on a stopover hotel; better than you can arrange yourself. The Hotel Mercure is good quality at a reasonable price, but booking directly is expensive, even if you haggle. Across the road is Quality hotel which is a bit cheaper, and it shows. Both have underground car parking facilities at about 10 Euros per night.   (2005)

SEEFELD, Austria

Seefeld street map . Some of the race locations can be a bit lacking in loipe/snow on which to practice beforehand. Seefeld has plenty of loipe and is at a good altitude to catch reliable snow. It is reasonably close to Oberammergau for the KonigLudwigLauf and a little further away from Lienz for the Dolomitenlauf. One possible problem is that if it snows heavily, the Scharnitz pass is closed and it is a long way round to Oberamergau via Munich.   (2005)

Seefeld loipe map. This is a large file. If you stay in Seefeld, your hotel should be able to provide you with a visitor card which is used as a loipe pass. The loipe police are very vigilant.   (2005)

KVITAVATN, Norway

Hostel style accomodation in bunk beds (2,4 or 6 to a room). Bed linen and towels are provided; take soap and shampoo. Communal showers. Wax/ski rooms (4 ski harnesses in total). Food is good - self service. Make your packed lunch at breakfast. 24hr tea, coffee and soft drinks are free but you have to pay for hot chocolate. Smoking is an outdoor activity in Norway (new law in 2005). Sauna (mixed in Arnes house, single sex in main building). 3hr coach ride from Oslo airport. Ski hire available from Trevor Dowe (NNN bindings) tel 004735092040 between 0800-0900 or 1700-1900 GMT. See Waymark brochure for more details.   (2005)

Gaustablikk webcam

BRUKSVALLARNA, Sweden, 2004

I flew from Manchester to Oslo with British Airways , then flew to Roros with Wideroe. Baggage allowance with BA was 23kg. Baggage allowance with Wideroe was officially 15kg, but they didn't seem to care. Fiona sorted out mini coach from Roros to Bruksvallarna. It worked out �100 cheaper to fly the day before the Roros flight and stay at the Rica Hotel, which is located about 5 mins from Oslo Gardermoen airport and was bookable from the Wideroe web site. Accomodation at Bruksvallarna was in 6 bed lodges alongside the hotel (Hotel Bruksvallsliden, 840 97, Bruksvallarna, Sweden, Tel:- 0046 684 201 80, emal info@bruksvallsliden.se). Good food, bed linen is provided, take a towel, soap and shampoo for the shower.

(2005) Booked to Oslo with flybmi.com, which turned out to be Scandinavian Airlines in disguise. No snow until 12/11/2005. Ditto rest of Scandinavia. Go later or elswhere.

Webcams A