The second weekend in February is a big deal in our community. It’s the weekend of the Vasaloppet USA Cross-Country Ski Race, an event that draws participants from around the world to our small town of Mora (population 3,787). On race weekend, the town’s population literally doubles.

The Vasaloppet began in 1973, born from the passion of 96 cross-country skiers and a small group of dedicated volunteers. In its early years, it was more of a hobby than an organized event. But as the race grew in popularity and sophistication, one major challenge loomed large: organizers couldn’t control whether there would be enough snow for the race.

Some years have seen abundant snow. But the race has also had to be canceled for lack of snow. Various stop-gap solutions were tried, including shortening the course or skiing on an ice-covered lake. While creative, these fixes were far from ideal.

Then, a game-changing idea emerged. The Vasaloppet board voted to invest in a snowmaking machine like those found at ski resorts. This addressed snow production: but not how to spread that snow along a 58-kilometer (36-mile) trail. Enter a novel innovation.

A local inventor and farmer experimented with his manure spreader, repurposing it to distribute the snow evenly along the trail. It worked brilliantly. Click Here to view the result. The Vasaloppet was no longer at the mercy of Mother Nature.

The Business Lesson

Just as the Vasaloppet adapted to unpredictable winters, businesses often face dependencies on key employees, single suppliers, or limited resources. The takeaway? Always have a Plan B. Preparing for contingencies in advance can be the difference between thriving during a challenge and succumbing to it.

Think Outside the Box

Next time you’re faced with a tough problem, take a page from the Vasaloppet playbook. Get creative, involve others, explore unconventional solutions, and make sure one of them is truly “outside the box.” Sometimes, the most innovative ideas come from unexpected places—like a manure spreader solving a snow problem.

The road is easier together,

Linda Laitala, President
Raven Performance Group