Ultravasan 90 begins at 05:00 in Berga by, Sälen, sending runners to Mora on the classic Vasaloppet route. This 92 km trail race has approximately 867 m of elevation gain, open to runners aged 17 and up, with separate competition classes for women and men. The early start is integral to the event: runners depart Sälen at dawn, witness the sunrise near the Smågan marshes, and then proceed along the historic Vasaloppet checkpoints towards the finish. The race also awards UTMB Index points in the 100K category and is part of Vasaloppstrippeln 90, the challenge combining completion of the 90 km versions of Vasaloppet’s ski, bike, and run events.
The course has its length rather than significant elevation, with the primary challenges stemming from the distance, varied surfaces, and prolonged time on feet. Approximately 60 km consists of dirt road, with about 18 km of trail, 6 km of gravel road, and 6 km of pavement, requiring runners to transition between fast sections and areas demanding careful footing. The route crosses pine forests, passes lakes and meandering waterways, crosses marshland via boardwalks, and winds through summer farmsteads and small villages. The participants include dedicated ultrarunners alongside strong amateur athletes aiming to complete the full Vasaloppet course on foot, with recent editions seeing over a thousand finishers. Prize money is awarded to both the female and male victors, but the fundamental attraction is straightforward: it allows runners to complete the entire historic Sälen-to-Mora journey without skis.