Janteloppet Grand Prize 2026: Bigger, Bolder, Better

Last year, we launched the very first Janteloppet Grand Prize. It was a leap into the unknown, a bold experiment to shake up the world of cross-country skiing. And like any first-time adventure, we had highs and lows. Some things worked brilliantly, some things… not so much.

That’s the cost of innovation. The only way never to fail is never to try. But then again, who wants that?

This year, we’ve taken everything we learned, the victories and the lessons, and poured it into building something stronger, fairer, and even more thrilling.

The Big Changes

• Dynamic Prize Pot: Every athlete who registers adds 4.000 NOK to the pot. The pool grows athlete by athlete, until it reaches a maximum of 500.000 NOK for men and 500.000 NOK for women, a 1 million NOK total.

  
  

• The Athlete Fund: No more waiting, no more complicated admin. Win, send an invoice, and the money is automatically released. Simple, fair, fast.

  
  

• 30 KM Race Distance: Shorter than the traditional 50 km, the 30 km format is more inclusive, especially for female skiers who prefer this distance. It’s still tough enough to demand strategy and stamina, but leaves more time to enjoy the celebrations afterward.

  
  

• Mass Start, Side by Side: Men on the left, women on the right, one explosive start line, all together. It’s not just symbolic. It’s strategy, drama, and pure excitement.

  
  

• Three Loops of Action: A 10 km track, skied three times. Perfect for spectators, demanding for athletes. Every lap is a new chance to break, chase, or surprise.

• Prize Distribution: The prize is spread across the top 20 men and top 20 women.

Why We Made These Changes

Because last year taught us a lot.

When the women’s race was canceled due to too few athletes, it hurt. For the athletes, for the fans, and for us. That’s why the new dynamic prize pot is so important, it means the race always happens. Whether 20 athletes sign up or 200, the show goes on.

Because winning should feel like winning. That’s why we created the Athlete Fund to make prize payouts instant and transparent.

Because 30 km opens the door for more competition, especially among women, and gives everyone the chance to ski hard and still celebrate afterward.

Because skiing should be exciting to watch. A mass start, men and women together, creates unpredictability and fireworks from the very first stride. Six laps means more moments for fans to cheer and more chances for athletes to change the story.

The Spirit of Janteloppet

The Janteloppet Grand Prize was never meant to play it safe. It’s about testing new ideas, taking risks, and giving both athletes and fans something unforgettable.

We proved last year that it could be done. In 2026, we’re proving it can be done even better.

This is the Grand Prize. The race that always starts. The race that keeps evolving. The race that belongs to everyone brave enough to line up.