Skarverennet, live.

From Finse to Ustaoset in April sun

Skarverennet is a spring ski tour and race over the mountains from Finse to Ustaoset on Saturday 17 April 2027, with 37 km from Finse and 25 km from Haugastøl.

Skarverennet was first held in 1974 and is organised by Geilo IL. It is held every year in the second half of April and draws more than 12,000 skiers, which makes it, in the organiser's words, the third largest ski tour in the world. The organiser says it is known for a great atmosphere, bright weather, lovely snow and wide smiles from start to finish.

The long course is 37 km from Finse to Ustaoset, and the shorter course is 25 km from Haugastøl to Ustaoset. The race is meant for everyone, and the organiser says an average ski tourer who cares more about the scenery than the heart rate monitor will do just fine. On the 37 km the course opens at 06:45 and trim skiers can start whenever they like until 12:15, on tracks prepared for skating with classic tracks alongside. On the 25 km trim skiers start between 08:30 and 11:30, on tracks prepared for both classic and skating. Children can take part in the trim class from the year they turn 10.

The competition class covers the 37 km from Finse in free technique and is open from the year a skier turns 15. Women start at 12:00 and men at 12:15. Along the course there are three drink stations, including Hellevatn and Raggemyran, the last one, which closes at 17:00. Timing stops at 17:00 and the finish area at Ustaoset closes at 18:00.

Getting to the start is part of the experience. Your start number is also your ticket for the train or bus to the start, and day trips from Oslo and Bergen are offered, with a seat number on the start card and numbers handed out on the train. Weather in the mountains can change fast, so the organiser asks everyone to dress for it and pack accordingly. Supporters meet the skiers at the finish in Ustaoset.

On Livebib you can follow a participant who chooses to share their own live position from the phone they carry across the mountain. This is a separate service and not the organiser's timing. Official times and results come from Skarverennet.