Jizerská padesátka: the legendary cross-country ski race commemorating a mountaineering tragedy

More than 8,000 skiers will line up for the 59th edition of the legendary Jizerská padesátka cross-country ski race, one of the Czech Republic’s most iconic winter sporting events. This year’s four-day programme begins today, with the main 50 km race starting on Sunday in Bedřichov in the Jizera Mountains. However, the origins of the race are often forgotten.

The Jizerská padesátka was first held in January 1968 as an endurance race designed to test the fitness and performance of local Liberec mountaineers ahead of the climbing season. Historian Jan Kotland previously explained to Czech Radio:

Traditional cross-country skiing race Jizerská 50|Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

“At the time, the mountaineers would take part in a nationwide relay race. And because they were fairly evenly matched in terms of performance, Karel Trousílek, who was the spiritual leader of the Liberec mountaineers, came up with the idea of organising a qualifying race.”

Soon after its founding, the race became linked to one of the greatest tragedies in Czechoslovak mountaineering history. In 1970, fifteen mountaineers who had helped establish the Jizerská padesátka travelled to South America as part of the ambitious Expedition Peru 1970. As part of their preparation, all of them competed in the third edition of the race. In May 1970, however, while attempting the nearly 7,000-metre Mount Huascarán in Peru, they were killed by a massive avalanche triggered by a powerful earthquake along the Pacific coast. The expedition became the first in the country’s mountaineering history from which no one returned.

See also the Jizerská 50 chronicle.

One of the most devoted participants in the Jizerská padesátka is Ladislav Míka, who competed in every edition from the inaugural race until 2019. He recalled for Czech Radio:

“In fact, the first three editions were more like small, friendly races among friends. Someone would say, ‘Hey, come and try it,’ and that’s how the number of participants gradually grew. In the first year, 51 people took part, and the number kept increasing. But before the fourth edition, the tragedy in Peru happened, and the race was renamed the Memorial of the Peru Expedition. That’s when it really gained wider recognition, and people came to honour the climbers’ memory.”

Jizerská 50|Photo: Archive of the Jizerská 50

From that year onwards, participation grew significantly, and the event soon welcomed its first international competitors. A tradition also began during the memorial edition, with participants keeping their race numbers. This includes Ladislav Míka, who has preserved many artefacts:

“I’ve carefully kept everything in a big box, in case they ever open a museum. The old, worn-out ‘sapory’ are up in the attic — those are the skis I used for the first Peru race.”

Jizerská 50|Photo: Archive of the Jizerská 50

Today, the Jizerská padesátka is a cornerstone of Czech winter sport. The programme includes professional men’s and women’s races, as well as a popular “hobby” category for non-professional skiers, which gives the event its distinctive accessibility and friendly atmosphere. Capacities for the main races are already full, and several shorter races will take place throughout the long weekend. Tonight, there will even be a race in historic skis held in honour of the 1970 Peru expedition.

According to one of the organisers, David Douša, interest is exceptionally high and could surpass the all-time record of 9,557 set in 2024. He also noted that the weather and snow conditions are excellent:

“Snow conditions are absolutely perfect. All routes are currently passable — not only the 50 km course, but all the others as well. Like every year, we are in close contact with the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, and the outlook for the coming days is very optimistic.”