News

At the end of past skiing season we started – as every year – the participants survey. Everyone who has skied a Worldloppet ski marathon so far was invited to fill out the questionary. This survey helps us and our member races to understand, who are your skiers? What is our target group? What are they expecting from us and what is our role in the world of marathon skiing. How does the the average skier look like? Here are some insights from the 760 respondents:

The average Worldloppet marathon skier is middle aged and has already 7 different races done. So only 3 to go, for the major part, to become a Worldloppet Master! With 60 % having a Worldloppet Passport and chasing a master title, it seems like we will celebrate many awardings over the coming seasons. This personal challenge is also the main motivator to do ski marathons. And not only one per year: Between 2 and 3 races are on the calendar for the average skier per winter. Others are mainly motivated by health reasons and many are chasing experiences in different nations and cultures. And for the typical skier, Worldloppet is a big community.

Other sports a skier is practicing

It is not much surprisingly that more than two thirds of the skiers are also training on cycle. On the other hand, it is surprising, that not even half of the skiers are practicing roller skiing. Maybe this is because of the threat of major injuries. Running and hiking are other possibilities, many skiers use to get fit for marathon skiing. SkiErging, orienteering, stand up paddling and triathlon are also answers mentioned multiple times.

The role of Worldloppet

The skiers consider Worldloppet as a

• Club for skiers (53 %)
• Community (50 %)
• Service provider for skiers (47 %)
• Voice of popular skiing (34 %).

More than 80 % say that they are satisfied or even very satisfied with the services provided by Worldloppet. At also seems like the channels of Worldloppet are well used and appreciated. Skiers say, they use the Worldloppet website mainly to find out news from the member races, the full race calendar, picture- , video- and text content from race venues and of course to find their results. Managing Passports, orders and titles are also tools used well on the website. The most appreciated new feature is the Worldloppet Skier’s Forum on Facebook, a group open for all skiers to exchange experiences, team up, help and advice each other.

Balanced demographic of our member races

That the Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet with its elevation gain of more than 1000m, is considered the most difficult race course is not a big surprise. 90 km length makes the Vasaloppet a tough one for 66 % and 56 % consider Sapporo Skimarathon’s course as difficult.

The Engadiner and the König Ludwig Lauf almost share the title Easiest Race Course. Also the Argentinian Ushuaialoppet is on the easy side. The remaining 13 Worldloppet member races’ courses are considered medium challenging.

What we learn from you

We are grateful for the feedback and the insights we got from this survey. One thing is sure: We have to strengthen the community of skiers around the world. As world federation for popular skiing, it is our duty to be the voice for skiers of all levels, nations and ages. Therefore we will focus on Worldloppet’s presence on site at the ski marathons, but also on Social Media, the world where a community could meet online.

Another topic we want to focus on is to provide a big range of advantages for Worldloppet Passport Holders. These loyal skiers should benefit and have some kind of VIP-status at our member races.

When it comes to content presented via our channels, we will lay a big focus on experiences at the various Worldloppet race venues.