About the North American Vasa
For fifty years, the North American Vasa has brought together skiers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts for a weekend of racing and camaraderie on some of Northern Michigan’s best winter trails. Each February, the event transforms Traverse City’s trail system into a gathering place for athletes of all ages and abilities.
Mission
The mission of the North American Vasa is to promote the sport of Nordic skiing and other winter sports in northwest lower Michigan through the Vasa Festival of Races. Those events shall be well organized, economical, fun and community oriented for all ages and abilities.
Fifty Years on the Trails
What started in 1977 as a small Nordic ski race has grown into a full winter festival featuring Nordic skiing, fat tire biking, and volunteer-powered fun. The Vasa has become a benchmark event in the Midwest race calendar, known for its excellent grooming and the community that shows up year after year to keep it all running smoothly.
Our Board
The North American Vasa is led by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of racers, coaches, and community members who share a passion for winter sports and trail stewardship.
King Vasa Club
Skiers who have competed in 20 or more North American Vasa races join the King Vasa Club. King Vasa Club Warriors embody the spirit and endurance of the North American Vasa and carry its legacy forward.
King Vasa Warriors are celebrated by:
- Recognition at the Annual Vasa Community Celebration
- A distinctive King Vasa bib marked with a King Vasa crest
- Placement in a special King Vasa wave in the 27K Freestyle race
King Vasa Warriors 20+
*name of racer & number of completed Vasas
Ned Rambo — 29
Chris Weingartz — 29
Bud Ward — 29
Phil Anderson — 28
Lexanne Creitz — 28
John Geiger — 28
John Bruder — 27
Mark Madorski — 27
Dan Yeager — 27
Ellis Boal — 26
William Matson — 26
Jon Morgan — 26
Lee Ries — 26
Bud Weber — 26
Ian Kennedy — 26
Jim Beckman — 25
Greg Merwin — 25
Jim Mudgett — 25
Patrick Tobin — 25
Paul Wells — 25
Debbie Westphal — 25
Bob Greene — 24
Ray Klepper — 24
Ray Landfair — 24
Allan Nelson — 24
Bob Rienas — 24
David Thorson — 24
Matthew Vajda — 24
Lee Warnaar — 24
Terry Wilson — 24
William Giezyng — 23
Tom O’Bryan — 23
Marnie Sutter — 23
Steve Westphal — 23
Paul Fulmer — 22
Bill Ganser — 22
Benjamin Gralla — 22
Kim Gribi — 22
Don Hurst — 22
Randy Kessler — 22
Carole Merwin — 22
Richard Naperala — 22
Gussie Peterson — 22
Bill Schulz — 22
Michael Seaman — 22
Steven Vreeken — 22
John Gravlin — 22
Kelley Peterson — 22
Ed Anderson — 21
Bruce Barton — 21
John Britton — 21
David Darnton — 21
Sheldon Degenhardt — 21
John Kostrzewa — 21
Greg Kulesza — 21
Walter Meeker — 21
Robert Prust — 21
John Van Dalson — 21
Russell Van Houzen — 21
Connie Zoutendyk — 21
Dave Atkins — 20
Randal Bladel — 20
Patrick Curley — 20
Pete D’Arienzo — 20
Karen Dawson — 20
Jim Dombrowski — 20
Bill Haefner — 20
Jim Heffner — 20
Peter Johnson — 20
Gary Kaleita — 20
George Lombard — 20
Fred Mills — 20
Dennis Polzin — 20
Jim Pryor Jr. — 20
Carl Ridgway — 20
Carl Scharphorn — 20
Larry Skendzel — 20
Marvin Stevenson — 20
Dennis Paull — 20
Jan Thorson — 20
King Vasa Warriors 30+
*name of racer & number of completed Vasas
Tom Sutter — 44
Ernie Brumbaugh — 43
Tim Onthank — 41
Pat Hall — 40
Ed Andres — 39
Mike Schaeffer — 39
James Monroe — 39
Ken Dawson — 37
Don Camp — 35
Mark Camp — 35
Gary Olson — 35
Steve Smigiel — 35
Gregory Worsnop — 35
Bruce Deboer — 34
Michael Galligan — 34
Jerry Glenn — 34
James Woodburne — 34
Brian Donnelly — 33
Michael Haley — 33
Ken Masck — 33
Carole Mueller-Brumbaugh — 33
Clark Phelps — 33
Milan Baic — 32
Robin Luce — 32
Don Fedrigon — 32
Bill Brundage — 31
Reinhold Cordella — 31
Cliff Onthank — 31
Mark Doherty — 31
Douglas Cornell — 31
Tom Anderson — 30
Ed Clary — 30
George Kuhn — 30
Michael Tarnow — 30
Steve Smigiel Jr. — 30
