American Birkebeiner

Barnebirkie - Presented by Swiss Miss & Johnson Bank

The Barnebirkie presented by Swiss Miss & Johnson Bank will start at the Hayward Primary School on Thursday, February 23rd, at 12:30 p.m. Over 1,000 children ages 3 to 13 will participate in a ski event just for them! The event will be 1K, 3K or 5K in length with a finish on Hayward's Main Street.

Enjoy the Birkie Celebration Tent! Cookies, hot chocolate, and medals will all be given out at the Birkie Celebration Tent, presented by Matador Snacks, next to People's Bank, just off Main Street.

Birkie Expo 2012

Check out the latest ski gear, clothing, socks, energy bars, cell phones, and more. Each booth will have samples, give-aways, and special offers for all Birkie participants, family, and friends. The Birkie Expo is held at the Hayward Middle School on the corner of 5th Street and Greenwood Lane, Hayward. See the Birkie Expo Preview with all over 40 vendors listed.

Ski Games - Presented by Woodland Developments & Realty

At approximately 1:30 p.m. the Ski Games presented by Woodland Developments & Realty will take place. Young skiers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activites on and off skis near the Barnebirkie Finish Line. CXC athletes as well as other Elite Skiers will be on hand to help with the games.

Elite Sprints - Presented By FITS Sock and Helly Hansen

The Elite Sprints will be held Thursday, February 23rd on Hayward's Main Street at 2:30 p.m. Top male and female elite skiers race head to head for cash prizes and to be named the "Elite Winners!"

Vegard Ulvang Presentation: Expedition to the South Pole 2011
At the Park Theater, Hayward, WI

Vegard Ulvang is this year's research ambassador for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society which Birkie has partnered with for the third year in a row as part of it Skiers for Cures program. Ulvang is recognized as one of the top 10 Norwegian cross country skers of all time and is a six-time Olympic medalist. Most recently, in December, he and his team completed a ski expedition to the South Pole as part of the worldwide celebration of the 100th anniversary of Amundsen's expedition. His presentation will be an exciting, first-hand account of that expedition.

Torchlighting and Main Street Fun Ski

The 2012 American Birkebeiner Torchlighting and Welcome Ceremony will take place Thursday, February 23rd at 5:30 p.m. on Hayward's Main Street. The nations'  flags will be flown and the Birkie torch will be lit. Skiers of all ages are then invited to enjoy a fun ski under the lights on Hayward's Main Street after the Welcome Ceremony.

Worldloppet Breakfast

Worldloppet Passport holders are invited to attend the Worldloppet Breakfast held on Friday, February 24th at 8:30 a.m. at the Flat Creek Inn & Suites. A European-Style champagne breakfast buffet is offered and a fee will be collected at the door.

Birkie Expo 2012

Check out the latest ski gear, clothing, socks, energy bars, cell phones, and more. Each booth will have samples, give-aways, and special offers for all Birkie participants, family, and friends. The Birkie Expo is held at the Hayward Middle School on the corner of 5th Street and Greenwood Lane, Hayward. See the Birkie Expo Preview with all over 40 vendors listed.

Junior Birkie - Presented by CenturyLink

The 12th Annual Junior Birkie presented by CenturyLink will be held on Friday, February 24th, starting at 9 a.m. at Telemark Resort in Cable. The event is open to skiers ages 10-18 with an individual 3.5K Race and a 3x1 Relay Race. 

Cable Natural History Museum Family Snowshoe Hike

Friday, February 24th, at 10:00 a.m. the Cable Natural History Museum will host a Family Snowshoe Hike. Limited number of snowshoes available or bring your own. The Museum has a beautiful facility in downtown Cable at 13470 County Highway M. Contact the Museum at 715-798-3890 for more information.

Barkie Birkie - Presented By Dr. Tim's Pet Food

The sport of Skijoring is gaining popularity and in 2012 a Skijoring race presented by Dr. Tim's Premium Pet Food. The event will start on Hayward's Main Street on Friday, February 24th at 9:00 a.m. Whether you decide to participate or spectate it will be a great opportunity to see dogs and their owners demonstrate their Skijoring skills and to learn more about the sport.

Giant Ski Event - Presented By Verizon and Hayward Chamber

The first annual Birkie "Giant Ski" event will take place on Hayward's Main Street on Friday, February 24th at 11:00 a.m. The event is presented by the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce and Leinenkugel's. Teams of six skiers will ski in a head to head "sprint". Each team will be on one set of 25 foot long skis. Grab your friends and come participate in this friendly competition on "Giant Skis."

Sit-Ski Event - Presented By Becker Law

The Birkie Sit-Ski event has attracted so many adaptive athlete registrations this year, that we have made a few changes to ensure the best possible experience for the skiers and to allow even more skiers to participate. Both the 3K and 500-meter events have been moved to Friday, Feb. 24 at 12:00 noon.

5/10K Family Fun Ski - Presented by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital

The 5K/10K Family Fun Ski presented by Hayward Area Memorial Hospital is held on Friday, February 24th at 2:15 p.m. The events are meant for entertainment for the entire family. The 5K/10K Fun Ski starts and finishes on Hayward's Main Street.

The Birkie - Presented by Becker Law

The 2012 American Birkebeiner will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 8:00 a.m. with a Finish on Hayward's Main Street. Skiers must choose between the 50K Birkie Skate Technique or the 54K Birkie Classic Technique.

Kortelopet - Presented by Marshfield Clinic - Hayward Center

The 2012 23K Kortelopet race starts in waves along with the Birkie skiers on Saturday, February 25th, at 8:00 a.m. Skiers must choose between Skate Technique or Classic Technique when registering. At the 9K point, the Kortelopet will enter its own trail and ski to a finish line at Telemark Resort.

Prince Haakon 12K - Presented by State Bank of Drummond

The eighth annual Prince Haakon will be held on Saturday, February 25th at 10:15 a.m. The event spans 12K from the Birkie/Korte Start Line at the Cable Union Airport to the Kortelopet finish line.

Birkie Celebration Tent - Presented By Matador Snacks

The race is over. You crossed the finish line. COME CELEBRATE! The Birkie Celbration Tent is where skiers, family, and friends of all ages gather after the Birkie for burger, brats, beer, hotdogs, hot chocolate and more while they warm up, tell their Birkie stories, and wait for other to cross the finish line. Everyone is welcome! Proceeds from food sales benefit Fishing Has No Boundaries and the Hayward Lion's Club.

Awards Ceremony

A great ceremony to honor the winners of  a spectacular series of events! The Awards Ceremony will be held on Saturday, February 25th at Telemark Resort.  There will be a slide show starting at 6:30 p.m. and the Awards will begin at 7 p.m.  Overall winners of the Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon will be presented awards. 

Birchleggings Breakfast

Sunday, February 26th at 9:00 a.m. the Birchleggings Club members get together at a special breakfast to reminisce and distribute awards and recognition items. The breakfast is held at The Steakhouse in Hayward.

Volunteer Party - Presented by Johnson Bank

The Volunteer Party presented by Johnson Bank honors the 2000+ volunteers who make the Birkie happen. The party is held on Sunday, February 26, at 1:00 p.m. at The Steakhouse in Hayward.

Bib Pick-Up Birkie, Kortelopet, Prince Haakon 12K

Location To Be Determined
Thurs. Feb. 23rd - 1:00-9:00 p.m.
Fri. Feb. 24th - 9:00-9:00 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 25th - 6:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Test out the newest in sports equipment from skis, rollerskis, snowboards to snowshoes. Pick up tips from the experts, grab a few souvenirs to take home and visit the Birkie Enterprise booth for special 2012 logo items. The two-day Expo is held in conjunction with race registration & bib pickup. Location to be determined.

Equipment Demos

• Thursday, February 23rd
  1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 24th
  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Expo

• Thursday, February 24th
  1:00 - 9:00 p.m.
• Friday, February 25th
  9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Waxing Clinics

• Presented during On-Snow Demo hours.

Awards Pick-Up

• Saturday, February 25th
  5:00-7:00 p.m.
  Location to be determined.
• Saturday, February 25th
  6:00-8:30 p.m.
  At the Awards Ceremony. Location to be determined.
• Sunday, February 27th
  8:00 a.m.-Noon
  Location to be determined.

Wordloppet Passports
Stamped & Sold
Location to be determined

• Saturday, February 25th
  2:00-6:00 p.m.
• Sunday, February 26th
  8:00 a.m.-Noon