Cykelvasan – what do you need to know and where should you stay?

Cykelvasan is the summer counterpart to Vasaloppet for mountain bikers – starting in Sälen and finishing in Mora, just like its winter counterpart. The races take place in mid-August and fill the valley with tens of thousands of cyclists, making accommodation during Cykelvasan almost as important as the training. Here’s your guide to race week: what you need to know, and where to stay.

What is Cykelvasan and when do the races take place?

Cykelvasan is one of the world’s biggest mountain bike races and takes place at the Vasalopp Arena between Sälen and Mora. The main race, the Cykelvasan 90, essentially follows the classic nine-mile route from Berga by to the finish line in Mora, and around this a whole week of racing has developed, featuring shorter distances, youth races and open classes – there is a distance to suit most levels of ambition, from recreational runners to elite athletes. The races are traditionally held in mid-August, with the main race on Saturday; exact dates vary from year to year, so please check the current calendar at Vasaloppet. For many groups of friends and clubs, Cykelvasan has become the obvious summer destination – a competitive weekend that is just as much a shared mountain getaway amidst the most beautiful late-summer scenery. Many choose to rent a mountain cottage in Sälen for the whole week of the race and turn the competition into a holiday.

The start of the Sälen – how race week works on site

The race starts at Berga by, just south of the village of Sälen – the same starting line as for Vasaloppet in winter. In the days leading up to the race, the area is transformed into a cycling festival: number bib collection, an exhibition, service points and thousands of cyclists rolling through the village on warm-up laps. Expect a lively atmosphere – and for everyday logistics to take longer than usual: roads around the start area may be closed on the morning of the race, and restaurants and shops will be extremely busy. So plan practically: collect your race number well in advance, have an early dinner and draw up a plan for race day morning with timings, transport to the start and where your supporters should stand. If you live near Berga by, you can cycle to the start in peace and quiet – the most comfortable race morning there is.

Book accommodation near the start – and book early

Just as during Vasalopp Week, accommodation closest to the start is booked up first – Cykelvasan attracts tens of thousands of participants, plus their families and supporters, to a valley which has fewer available beds in summer than in winter. The rule of thumb is to secure your accommodation as soon as you know you’re taking part, ideally nearly a year in advance for the most attractive properties. Accommodation in and around Sälen’s village, Berga, and the slopes leading towards Lindvallen offers the shortest route to the start, whilst accommodation higher up in the mountains works perfectly well if you’re travelling by car or bike. Having your own house is hard to beat when it comes to a race: you can store and tinker with your bikes safely, stock up on home-cooked meals and sleep in peace and quiet. Our summer residence in Sälen offers you premium standards with space for the whole group – bike storage, spacious kitchens and a sauna to help you unwind.

For teams and clubs: bring the team together in a large house

Cykelvasan is a team experience, even when the race is run individually. Clubs and corporate teams who come together in a shared house get to enjoy everything that makes the race weekend special: communal pasta dinners, mechanical workshops in the garage, tactical discussions and a group departure on the morning of the race. A a large house for the whole team Accommodation with twelve, sixteen or twenty beds often costs less per person than scattered small rooms – and it fosters a real sense of team spirit. Bear the details in mind when booking: secure bike storage, facilities for washing muddy bikes, and plenty of fridge and freezer space for a week’s worth of carb-loading. We’re happy to help match your team with the right house, and if there are more of you than one house can accommodate, we’ll arrange for several houses to be close to one another.

Train on site: cycle in Sälen before the race

Sälen is an excellent base for your training. The valley offers everything from gentle gravel tracks along Västerdalälven to technical trails and steep climbs on the mountainsides – perfect for fine-tuning your fitness and getting your body used to the nature of the course. Riding the first few kilometres of the actual race route also gives you a mental edge on race day: you’ll know what the starting field and the opening sections feel like. The range of trails and paths has grown considerably as Sälen has become a proper cycling destination – our guide to mountain bike in Sälen covers different areas and trail grades, and for those who want to combine trail running with flow trails and lift-assisted elevation gain, there are cycle park and downhill just a stone's throw away.

After the finish – recovery, a sauna and dinner

A 9-mil mountain bike ride takes its toll on the body, and recovery deserves just as much planning as the race itself. The finish line is in Mora, so arrange your transport back to Sälen in advance – many people sort this out by having a supporter drive them, or by using the race’s transport arrangements. Once back at the house, the reward awaits: a long sauna to soothe tired legs, a proper dinner with the whole group, and an evening spent recounting every hill on the course in ever-greater detail. This is where a proper mountain cabin makes all the difference – instead of packing up and driving home the same evening, you stay on, celebrate and enjoy a peaceful Sunday in the late-summer mountains. Many of our guests turn the race weekend into a long weekend with a hike or a swim the following day; the August mountains often show themselves at their very best.

Summary – accommodation and checklist for Cykelvasan

Key points to note regarding Cykelvasan in Sälen:

• The races take place in mid-August, starting at Berga by – please check the exact dates at Vasaloppet.
• Book your accommodation as soon as you know you’re going to be cycling – places near the start sell out first.
• Having your own house means secure bike storage, home-cooked meals and peace of mind ahead of the race.
• Teams and clubs: bring the team together under one roof – a better atmosphere and a lower price per person.
• Turn up a few days early and have a go at the course – getting a feel for the start of the course is worth its weight in gold on race day.
• Plan your journey home from Mora and treat yourselves to a proper evening of relaxation with a sauna and dinner.

Would you rather explore the Niomila Forest on skis? If so, the guide on accommodation under Vasaloppet in winter your next read. And when it’s time to sort out your base for the race weekend, we’ll help you find the right house – close to the start line, with space for both bikes and victory celebrations.