Kortelopet skiers will experience a great race course, a memorable finish line, and the recognition you deserve for skiing an amazing 29 kilometer race!  Imagine skiing up and over the iconic International Bridge to the sounds of ringing cowbells and cheering crowds as you race toward the finish line on the snow-covered Main Street of Hayward, Wisconsin.   Spectators will also enjoy the celebratory, festival-like atmosphere, food, and music in downtown Hayward.  We hope to see you in 2024!

The Kortelopet:

  • Spans 29 kilometers from the Kortelopet Stadium at the OO Trailhead to Downtown Hayward
  • Attracts 3,000 skiers who want the challenge and excitement of a shorter-distance race
  • Check out the new Open Track version for a more relaxed event!

Wave Placement

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation utilizes a seeded start structure for four of its events:  Birkebeiner Skate, Birkebeiner Classic, Kortelopet Skate, and Kortelopet Classic.  Participants are seeded into start waves in 2024 based on your best result from 2020, 2022, and 2023 Birkie events (see the Wave Seeding Criteria tables below). If you’ve completed multiple events, the Event Adjustment Factor table accounts for the historical difference in the strength of competition between the races. (Take your Percent Back from event winner +/- the applicable Adjustment Factor. See a sample calculation under “Wave Upgrade Request.”).

While 2021 Kortelopet times will not count towards placement, race completion (in-person or virtual) will be applied according to tables below.

Participants who have never completed an American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon event will be placed in the last wave.  The goal of wave placement is to place participants of similar abilities together to minimize passing and encourage a smooth flowing race.

If you do not receive a wave placement e-mail within 14 business days, please contact registration@birkie.com.

The Korte has three special waves- Elite, U20 and Wave 70, for younger and older skiers. See the details for these waves below.

Kortelopet Skate Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Skate2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 2:04:34Up to 65.5%Up to 2:07:36Up to 60.5%Up to 2:01:36Up to 58.5%
Wave 22:04:35 to 2:23:2365.5% to 90.5%2:07:37 to 2:29:5160.5% to 88.5%2:01:37 to 2:16:5658.5% to 78.5%
Wave 32:23:24 to 2:42:1290.5% to 115.5%2:29:52 to 3:19:0988.5% to 150.5%2:16:57 to 2:46:0578.5% to 116.5%
Wave 4*2:42:13 and Up115.5% and Up3:19:10 and Up150.5% and Up2:46:06 and Up116.5% and Up
*Wave 4PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 5NEW PARTICIPANTS

Korte Classic Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Classic2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 2:30:56Up to 80.5%Up to 3:04:14Up to 95.5%Up To 2:38:00
Up to 94.5%
Wave 22:30:57 to 3:12:4480.5% to 130.5%3:04:15 to 3:46:3895.5% to 140.5%2:38:01 to 3:13:4494.5% to 138.5%
Wave 3*3:12:45 and Up 130.5% and Up3:46:39 and Up140.5% and Up3:13:45 and Up138.5% and Up
*Wave 3PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 4 NEW PARTICIPANTS

Event Adjustment Factors

Event You are Registering For in 2024Using Previous Birkie Skate ResultUsing Previous Birkie Classic ResultUsing Previous Korte Skate ResultUsing Previous Korte Classic ResultUsing Previous Prince Haakon ResultUsing Any 2021 Birkie/ Korte/ Prince Haakon Completion
Birkie Skate0+ 8 %+ 15 %+ 15 %Wave 9Wave 9
Birkie Classic– 8 %0+ 8%+ 8 %Wave 5Wave 5
Korte Skate– 15 %– 7 %00Wave 4Wave 4
Korte Classic– 15 %– 7 %00Wave 3Wave 3

Wave Upgrade Request

Participants may utilize their result from this list of qualifier competitions to improve on their placement from the above criteria. Similar to the comparison between the American Birkebeiner events, the results of the qualifiers will be adjusted based on the strength of competition, distance, and course elevation profile.

  • All requests will be charged a $25 service fee, whether a wave upgrade is granted or not. To request a wave upgrade by 11:59pm CST on January 16, 2024 (subject to availability):
    • Login to your RunSignUp profile.
    • Scroll down to your event and click ‘Manage Registration’
    • Click ‘Add Ons’ (along either top or bottom menu)
    • Make appropriate change to your “Wave Upgrade Request” section

Wave upgrades are subject to availability, if the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. You will receive an updated wave placement email confirmation if an upgrade has been made. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 14 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.  In an effort to create an environment with reduced on-trail passing, consistent race flow, reduced congestion in aid stations, and the safest possible environment for all skiers, we are unable to downgrade a skier to a wave that is slower than the wave they qualify for (and outside of the wave options provided in the Race Day Selection emails).

You may request to use a race result from the list of qualifier competitions to improve your wave placement. Follow these steps to see if you are eligible for an upgrade:

  1. Determine your percent back in the qualifier race. Take the Difference in time between You and the Overall Winner. Divide that by the Overall Winner’s time. (Example: your time is 2:36, winning time is 2:00; Difference =36 minutes/2 hours = 0.3 x 100 = 30% back)
  2. Determine your Percent Back Equivalency (PBE). Add the qualifier race’s Adjustment Factor, which is found on the Qualifier List. PBE = Your % Back + Adjustment Factor (Example your 30% back + 57% Adjustment Factor = 87% Back Equivalency.)
  3. Determine where your Percent Back Equivalency (PBE) would place you. Look up your PBE in the year column of the Wave Seeding Table of the race for which you are registered. (Example: A 2022 PBE of 87% will place you in Wave 4 for Birkie Skate or Wave 3 for Birkie Classic or Wave 2 Korte Skate or Wave 1 Korte Classic)

Request an upgrade only if your PBE will place you in a lower wave.  Make sure you have completed steps 1-3 before submitting your request as there are no refunds.

Kortelopet Elite Waves

The Kortelopet Skate and Classic races each have an elite wave. The Kortelopet Skate Elite Wave is comprised of the top 100 men and 60 women from the 2023 Kortelopet SKATE only; Kortelopet Classic Elite Wave is top 40 men and 30 women from the 2023 Kortelopet CLASSIC only.  Participants qualifying for a Korte Elite Wave will automatically be placed in the Elite Wave wave upon registering. Skiers qualifying for the Elite Wave may register for the race until January 16, 2024.  Elite Wave qualifiers that skied a different technique or did not participate in the 2023 Kortelopet will not be placed in the elite wave, but may request to be put on the Elite Waitlist. Anyone skiing in the 2023 elite wave due to an elite upgrade request will have to make the request again in 2024.  Athletes racing a different technique in 2024 or elite athletes new to the Kortelopet must request to be placed on the Elite Wave Waitlist by emailing registration@birkie.com.  Emails should include a race resume or qualifications.

Elite Wave registrations & Elite Waitlist requests close on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 11:59 pm CST. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the waitlist after January 26, 2024.

U20 Wave for Junior Racers

If you are a skier born between February 24, 2003 and February 24, 2010 you will be assigned to start the Kortelopet in the U20 Classic or U20 Skate Waves.   If you are placed in the U20 and are a top skier, please see details in the “Kortelopet Elite Waves” section above for requesting placement in the Elite Wave.

The U20 wave is timed using a gun start– all U20 skiers will receive the same start time in their respective wave.  Official time of U20 skiers that start late will still reflect the U20 gun time.  If you are a junior skier and do not want to ski in the U20 wave contact registration@birkie.com and you will be placed in a wave based on the normal seeding process and your time will start when you cross the start line. U20 skiers not starting in the U20 wave will not be eligible for overall or age group awards.

Wave 70

Cross country skiing is a lifestyle sport that allows people to stay active and healthy into their later years. Each year the Kortelopet provides an opportunity to celebrate this for over one hundred skiers over the age of seventy! We recognize these skiers with a special bib and special wave.

Event/Technique Change Request

Participants may request to change from the Kortelopet to the American Birkebeiner, Prince Haakon, or Open Track events or change technique between Skate and Classic until 11:59pm CST on January 16, 2024 unless an event is full (see allowed transfers below).  Wave placement is subject to availability at time of request. If the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. (Participants may no longer transfer from the Kortelopet to the American Birkebeiner once the American Birkebeiner is full. A change fee of $25 will be applied. You will receive an updated e-mail confirmation reflecting the change once the change has been approved. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.

  • To change your event/technique:
    • Login to your RunSignUp profile.
    • Scroll down to your event and click “Manage Registration”
    • Click on “Transfer Event” (along either top or bottom menu)
    • Select the event you want to transfer to and complete the registration
    • Transfers to the American Birkebeiner are not allowed at this time. The event is full.

2024 Eligible Transfer Table

Event you are registered for currentlyEligible for a transfer request to this event
Birkie SkateBirkie Classic*
Birkie ClassicBirkie Skate*
Birkie Skate or ClassicKorte Skate or Classic*
Birkie Skate or ClassicPrince Haakon
Birkie Skate or ClassicOpen Track, any distance
Korte SkateKorte Classic*
Korte ClassicKorte Skate*
Korte Skate or ClassicPrince Haakon
Korte Skate or ClassicOpen Track, any distance
Prince HaakonOpen Track, any distance
Open TrackOpen Track, any distance
*subject to wave availability

Ineligible event change requests will be reversed and refunded minus processing fees if requested.

Skiløper - Kortelopet Recognition Program

Like Birkie skiers, Kortelopet skiers are a dedicated bunch!  In honor of a Korte skier’s determination and dedication, there is a well-deserved recognition program!  Skiløper, Norwegian for “skier” (pronounced “Shē-lōp-păh”), began in 2019 and recognizes Kortelopet skiers who reach the milestones of 10, 20, and 30-years.  In addition to the current recognition which includes a Kortelopet 10-year plaque, Skiløper skiers receive a unique bib and deservedly a little swagger for earning it!  Here’s how it works:

  • Skiers are recognized at 10, 20 and 30 years for their Kortelopet accomplishments!
    • Skiløper – Ti (Pronounced “tee” means Ten )
      • Unique bib for 10-19 years
      • Kortelopet 10-year plaque
    • Skiløper -Tjue (Pronounced “tu-a” means Twenty)
      • Unique bib for 20-29 years
      • Kortelopet 20-year plaque
    • Skiløper – Tretti (Pronounced “tre-tee” means thirty)
      • Unique bib for 30+ years
      • Kortelopet 30-year plaque

Congratulations Skiløper – You’ve Earned it!

Bib Pickup and Event Week Schedule

Click Here for 2024 Bib Pickup Information »

There will be NO BIRKIE GEAR BAG PICKUP at the start nor at the Expo prior to the race.  Plastic bags will be given to all those picking up bibs at the start.  If you ordered a Birkie Gear Bag and are unable to pick up your bag following your race at the Birkie Expo between 12pm-8pm, you can have your 2024 Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you for $12. Deadline to claim your Birkie Bag is March 31, 2024. Bags will be mailed in April 2024.

Race Policies

The race is run according to the rules and regulations of the FIS and any special requirements stated in the entry form, Birch Scroll, this web site, www.birkie.com and participant race instructions. Offenses against any of these rules may lead to disqualification for current or future events and the forfeiture of any and all awards.

All participants in the Birkebeiner must be 18 years of age by February 24, 2024. Kortelopet skiers must be 13 years of age by February 23, 2024. There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. Entry fees are non-transferable between individuals or to future races.

Participants who complete an event for which they are not registered (for example – ski the skate course when they registered for classic) will be credited for completing the race but will not be given a finish time, will not be eligible for awards and will not be included in the official results.

Clothing Bag Procedures: policies for using the clothing transport from the start to the finish.

ABSF Participant Rules

ABSF Wax Policy

Trash Penalty

A trash penalty is now in place for all Birkie events.  Any participant, coach, or support crew caught throwing waste on the trail or into the woods between aid stations could be assessed a 15 minute penalty. There will be “Last Chance” garbage disposal areas as you leave aid stations.  Violators should be reported by bib number via email at birkie@birkie.com or to a volunteer at the next aid station.  Read more in the Participant rules above.

Cut-Off Times have changed for 2024. Stay tuned for more info.

Participants of the 2023 Events must complete their race by 5 pm. Cut-off times for races must be strictly followed for the safety of participants and volunteers.  Participants not following guidance from Medical Staff and Race Chiefs will risk penalty and possible ineligibility for future Birkie Events.

TimeLocationKilometer from Start
1:30 pmGravel Pit Aid Station9 KM
2:30 pmMosquito Brook Aid Station15 KM
3:35 pmHatchery Park Aid Station21 KM
5:00 pmFinish Line29 KM

Aid Stations and Cut-Off Times

LocationAid Availablefrom Start Cut-off Time
StartWater0
Gravel PitWater, UnTapped Energy & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies, Oranges9K1:30 PM
Mosquito BrookWater, UnTapped Energy & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies15K2:30 PM
Fish HatcheryWater, UnTapped Energy & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies21K3:35 PM
Finish LineCelebration Zone and Soup Tent!29K5:00 PM

Untapped All Natural Athletic Fuel logoLearn how to refuel wth Untapped!

Race Tracking

Track your ski with RTRT!

The 2024 Slumberland American Birkebeiner Live Results are now available via web at https://track.rtrt.me/e/ABSF-BIRKIE-2024. Have a Smartphone? Download the RTRT.me Mobile App at https://rtrt.me/app and select the 2024 Birkie event. Participants, Family & Friends can all use Live Results to share in the excitement. On race day, spectators can get status of participants in real-time using the Live Tracker & Leaderboard. Details such as time, pace, position on the map and estimated finish will be instantly available!

Awards

Kortelopet Skate and Classic Overall Awards

The top three male and female finishers across the line in both skate and classic will be recognized at the Kortelopet Award Ceremony in the Celebration Plaza in Hayward at 12:45 pm on Friday.

Finisher Recognition

Skiers finishing their first Kortelopet will receive a medal at the Finish.

Skiers who have completed more than one Kortelopet will receive a pin indicating the number of Kortelopets they have finished.

Age Class Awards

Age class awards will be awarded to the top three males and females, in both the freestyle and classic races, in each of the following age classes. Awards are based on the participants net time (finish arrival time minus start time).

13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89.

Skiloper Recognition

Kortelopet Skiers who finish their 10th, 20th, or 30th race will be rewarded with a personalized commemorative plaque.

Ti – 10 years

Tjue – 20 years

Tretti – 30 years

Worldloppet

Worldloppet is an international association of long distance ski races, created in 1979 from the inspiration of American Birkebeiner creator, Tony Wise. The Birkie is among the nine races that comprised the founding events, which have grown to over 20 races on five continents.

Worldloppet Ambassadors

There are many Birkie Skiers who have experience traveling to races around the globe. If you are interested in a particular race or just about the Worldloppet in general, we can connect you with someone who can share their experience with you and help to plan a trip. Click Here to submit an inquiry.

Worldloppet Passports

Tens of thousands of skiers around the world record their Worldloppet race finishes in a special Passport. Finishers of the Kortelopet Skate or Classic can have their passport stamped for Worldmaster Silver credit or purchase a new passport to start their Worldloppet adventure.

Worldloppet passports may be purchased on-line by clicking HERE. If you have completed an American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet race in the past, you can request that a stamped passport be mailed to you at any time.  The cost of new passports are $35.

Worldloppet Breakfast

All are welcome to join Worldloppet Skiers, delegates from other Worldloppet Competitions, and honored guests at the Worldloppet Breakfast on Friday of Birkie Week.  More information and registration details coming for the 2024 event.

Lodging & Services

Lodging

For lodging information, see our Lodging page.

Camp Birkie Childcare

Find more information and registration details HERE!

Future Event Dates

Save the Date:

2025: February 19 – 22