Date: February 13, 2022

Place: Bedrichov, the Czech Republic

Distance: 50 km Classic technique

Active years: 55

Record number of participants: 8,141

Highest peak and total climb: 999 m/861 m

Number of VSC sprints/climbing points: one sprint at 23 km in Jizerka and two climbs at 11 km in Na Knejpé and at 32 km in Smutna Louka

Start times: Men 9:00 CET, women 8:50 CET

Website: https://jiz50.cz

Jizerska50 is one of the biggest cross-country ski events in Central Europe and one of the oldest races in Visma Ski Classics. The event has grown into a welcoming festival for both local and international participants who get a chance to experience an unforgettable adventure in the wilderness of the Jizera Mountains. In season X, Jizerska50 was voted “Best Event of the Year” in Visma Ski Classics.

The event also honors 15 local mountain climbers who participated in the race in 1970 and four months later met their doom in the mountains of Peru when an avalanche hit their expedition. 

The start and finish are both in Bedrichov, a mountain village with a unique atmosphere enhanced by local delicatessen and beer. Besides the global audience that Visma Ski Classics brings to the table, the race is followed by millions of Czech viewers, making it one of the most popular sport events in the country.

For international participants, Jizerska 50 is an easy-access destination as Prague is only a two-hour drive away and the 2009 FIS Nordic Ski World Championships host city Liberec is only about 10 km from the race area. 

Liberec offers many great Czech-style restaurants around the city and a lot of sights to experience such as the Botanical Garden, the Town Hall, the Liberec Castle, Ještěd Tower, which has become the symbol of the city, and Centrum Babylon, a unique congress and an entertainment complex with a large water park, an amusement park, a casino, a shopping court and a hotel.

Season XI top three:

Men

1. Emil Persson, Lager 157 Ski Team, 2:02:27.9

2. Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel of Norway, 2:02:28.2

3. Ermil Vokuev, Russian Winter Team, 2:02:28.7

Women

1. Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, 2:18:39.4

2. Ida Dahl, Team Ramudden, 2:18:39.5

3. Katerina Smutná, ED System Bauer Team, 2:22:21.3