American Birkebeiner

The "Tour" is pure fun and a great way to experience the wonderful Birkie Trail system. It's perfect whether you're a:

• A Birkie skier looking for a long, supported training day,
• A skier thinking of trying the Birkie event, but unsure you're ready
• A skier who loves to ski, but is not interested in ski racing.

The BirkieTour is an untimed, non-competitive, “open-track” style event open to skiers age 13 and older. Spend the day skiing with family and friends with a morning start time window, short and long distance options, aid stations (light) along the trail, food and beverage at the end of both courses, and a bus ride back to the start. You'll receive a great long-sleeve Tour shirt and Tour pin, all at a very low fee.

Best of all, you'll be skiing, either classic or skate, on one of the best cross-country ski trail systems in the World. You can even get credit for skiing a Worldloppet event.

Skiers participating in the BirkieTour may use the event to obtain Worldloppet Gold credit (you must participate in the 50K Tour ) or Worldloppet Silver credit (if you complete the 25K Tour). Bring your Worldloppet passport for your participation stamp and participation verification.

DO THE LOOP ...

NOTE: To get Worldloppet Credit you will complete an additional loop at 00 which will be clearly marked. If you have any questions, you can talk to Birkie Staff who will be at the Start at Hatchery and at OO.

• The Long 45K Tour will begin at Hatchery Park near Hayward. The Short 25K Tour will start at the Birkie County OO Trailhead.
• Skiers should park at Telemark Resort and you will then be bused to your start. Buses will leave Telemark every 15 minutes between 8 AM and 9 AM. You can start your Tour as soon as you get to your start area.
• 50K skiers will follow the 45K course and ski an extra loop at OO to gain the extra distance.
• All Tours will finish at Telemark Lodge.
• The course will be groomed for both skate and classic skiing.
• Don't miss this fun, relaxed event!

Friday, January 17,
at the Birkie Office, Hayward, WI from 8 AM until 8 PM
at Telemark Resort, Cable, WI from 5 PM until 8 PM

Saturday, January 18
at Telemark Resort, Cable, WI from 7:00 AM until 8:45 AM

• Skiers should park at Telemark Resort, Cable, WI, and ride buses to the start area.  at either Hatchery for the 45K or OO for the 25K. Bus transportation will be available every 15 minutes from 8 AM until 9 AM.
• Your Tour can start as soon as you get to your start area.
• Keep the cut-off times in mind and plan your start time accordingly.

There will be limited volunteer and medical support on the course. You should plan on carrying your own fluids, energy products and snacks.

Mini-Aid stations will provide water and HEED Electrolyte drink at:

• Mosquito Brook at 6K
• Gravel Pit at 12K
• OO at 21K
• Boedecker Road at 25K and 5K
• The Fire Tower at 30K and 10K
• Timber Trail at 35K and 15K

GU Energy Gel will be available at Gravel Pit and Timber Trail

Gear Bags
We will supply a recyclable plastic bag for Tour participants at check-in for anyone who would like to transport clothing back to the finish at Telemark Lodge. Your gear bag can be dropped in trailers at the Tour start areas.

Several Birkie snowmachines will be on the course to offer assistance, and Aid station volunteers will be in radio contact with event headquarters to obtain assistance, if needed.

You will need to remove your skis and walk across the road crossings at OO and Mosquito Brook.

Park at Telemark Resort on Saturday morning. Bus transportation will be available every 15 minutes from 8 AM until 9 AM to take you from Telemark Resort to your start area either at Hatchery Park in Hayward (long course) or Hwy OO in Seeley (short course).

There is no bus transportation back to the start areas after you finish the event.  

Spectator parking is available at both start locations and Telemark Resort.

45K and 50K Tour skiers must reach County "OO" by 11:30 AM. Skiers arriving after the cut-off time will be transported to Telemark by bus.

Complimentary food--meat and vegetarian chili, brats, burgers, coffee, hot chocolate and soda--will be available for all Tour participants at Telemark Lodge from 10:30 AM until 3:30 PM. Beer will be available for purchase.

Food is available for non-participants for $10.

T-Shirts & Pins

If you register by January 6, 2014 you will receive a specially designed, high quality, long sleeve BirkieTour T-shirt. All skiers will receive a special BirkieTour pin to wear during the tour. The pin is your "ticket" to receive the post-tour food and bus transportation to your start area.

Thank you to Scott Brown, BirkieTour skier, for this great video!