Minnesota Nordic Ski Association

Mission

The Minnesota Nordic Ski Association is organized exclusively for charitable, scientific and educational purposes, more specifically to:

• Promote and advance the sport of cross country skiing in Minnesota
• Promote and encourage education regarding cross country skiing in Minnesota.
• Support athletic advancement for all ages and abilities up to and including Olympic Nordic ski competition.
• Support the preservation, enhancement and expansion of quality, diverse ski trails.
• Support the legislative process and the Minnesota DNR to improve cross country skiing in Minnesota.
• Advocate stable and increased trail maintenance and grooming funding from diverse sources.

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1.14.2022 – We are sad to announce the passing today of one of our board members, Darby Nelson. He has been passionate and instrumental in many aspects of cross country skiing in Minnesota, including spearheading the effort to create the MN Ski Pass in 1983, when he was a legislator. Darby is the only person to have skied every Vasaloppet in Mora, MN since its inception in 1973. More information about Darby.  Obituary for Darby Nelson

Photo courtesy of MN VasaloppetDarby Nelson - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Recently released book about the story of Nordic skiing in the Midwest—its origins and history, its star athletes and races, and its place in the region’s social fabric and the nation’s winter recreation. Minnesota plays a big role in Midwest Nordic skiing.

Purchase Here

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Glen V. Johnstone

1929-2019

Glen V. Johnstone of Mora, MN passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019 in Mora, MN. Glen was married to Jean for 66 years and they had eleven children.

Glen founded the Vasaloppet Ski Race in Mora, Mn in 1973, when a small group of volunteers and 96 skiers raced on a farm. Johnstone came up with the brilliant idea after he was aware of the prestigious Vasaloppet ski marathon that finishes in Mora, Sweden, he contacted the officials to ask permission to use the name for a race in Mora, Minnesota. Forty-seven years later, a strong bond has formed between skiers in multiple countries as a result. There are now four Vasaloppet races, in Sweden, the United States, Japan and China–established in that order.

Obituary

Vasaloppet USA Information

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2019 Lifetime Achievement

Awards Banquet

Sunday, April 7, 2019

• Lifetime Achievement – Rollie Ring-Jarvi, Glenn Fuller
• High School – Mara McCollar, Peter Moore
• College – Tamer Mische-Richter, Cecelia Boyle
• Biathlon – Garrett Beckrich, Kaisa Bosek
• Master Skier – Jan Horak, Gretchen Lindgren

Vasaloppet Nordic Center, Mora, MN

Awards Banquet Program

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Minnesota Ski Pass

Ski Pass Video

Purchase your pass here.

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2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Bruce Adelsman – Darby Nelson

Detailed Information on Awards