Birkie News Archives for
Verizon features American Birkebeiner
Verizon Frontline has become a crucial part of the annual Birkie Week communications strategy. Birkie Medical Coordinator Les Luder gave our Verizon Frontline Manager Mike Olson some praise and the company chose to feature Mike and the American Birkebeiner in one of their testimonial videos.
Worldloppet’s Best Season in Ages!
May 12, 2026 Worldloppet Season 2025/26 in Numbers The Worldloppet season 2025/26 has come to an impressive close, confirming once again the global popularity of long-distance cross-country skiing. Across all events, a total of 136,009 participants took part in Worldloppet’s Global Calendar races this winter. With events in 23 countries on 6 continents and thousands of skiers representing 104 nationalities, […]
Expand Your XC-Ski Experience: Greenland’s Arctic Circle Race
by Jan Guenther, Founder, Gear West I fully believe that contrast forms the composition of our lives. We thrive on the good stuff, we coast on the easy stuff, yet the difficult passages are what make us grow. Looking for a bit more excitement than skiing circles on machine-made snow? There is adventure to have […]
Registration Opening Friday, May 1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Registration Opens May 1 for 2027 Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Open Track Races Hayward, WI – April 29, 2026 – Registration for the 2027 Slumberland American Birkebeiner presented by Rex, North America’s premier cross-country ski marathon will open Friday, May 1 at 8AM-CT. At that time, skiers can sign up for the full American Birkeberiner 50k skate or 53k classic, the Salomon Kortelopet 29k skate/classic and the Northern Lakes Coop Prince Haakon 15k skate/classic races. In addition, registration will also open for the Open […]
Introducing the Northern Pines Gravel Series
This year, The Hungry Bear, Epic Gravel, and Gordon Pines Barrons are launching a new gravel bike series in Northwest Wisconsin in partnership with Borah Teamwear—the Northern Pines Gravel Series. Expect breathtaking views, thoughtfully crafted routes for riders of all levels, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that makes race day about more than just the […]
Free Birkie Entry with a Minimum $1,499 Purchase at Slumberland Furniture
For Birkie Ski, Run, or Bike Events*2026 – 2027 Slumberland Furniture and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation again welcome you to this “homey” way to get a free entry to a Birkie event – Ski, Run, or Bike. This program has been a great success for Birkie skiers, runners, and bikers since Slumberland and the […]
Mt. Telemark Village Hosts the Nation’s Elite Skiers for the 2026 Junior Nationals XC Ski Championships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 14, 2026 Cable, WI — The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) hosted the 2026 Junior Nationals XC Ski Championship, welcoming the nation’s elite junior skiers to Mt. Telemark Village in Cable, Wisconsin. From March 9th through the 14th, over 400 athletes, spread across U16, U18, and U20 age groups, competed representing ten regions from across the United States, including: Alaska, Far West, Great Lakes, High Plains, Intermountain, Mid-Atlantic, […]
How the Birkebeiner is redefining destination outdoor recreation
Column by Ben Popp, Executive Director, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation has spent decades building world-class events that bring people to Northern Wisconsin. The Birkie itself has long been a draw to the region; the iconic race introduces thousands of people each year to our trails, our communities, and our way of life. […]
Fat Bike Birkie 2026 Race-Day Dispatch
March 2, 2026, by Greg Smith Fat Bike Birkie 2026 Race Day Dispatch: Nine Degrees, Perfect Snow, and a Whole Lot of Grins I left Milwaukee in fifty-degree weather and drove five-plus hours north to Cable, Wisconsin, to photograph the Fat Bike Birkie. The next morning at race start, it was nine degrees. Race day […]
Cable Area Chamber of Commerce Invests in the Future of Nordic Skiing
The Cable Area Chamber of Commerce is helping set the stage for an unforgettable championship week in the Northwoods. Thanks to a generous $15,000 contribution through Travel Wisconsin’s Ready Set Go Grant, the Chamber has made a significant investment in the success of the 2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships, taking place March 9–14, 2026, at Mt. Telemark Village in Cable. Sanctioned by U.S. Ski […]
Volunteer of the Year & Shellie Milford Award Winners
Congratulations to Volunteer of the Year – Dan Clark and Nancy & Bill Bauer for earning the Shellie Milford Spirit of the Birkie Award. Dan, Nancy and Bill were recognized at the annual Sunday post-Birkie volunteer dinner on February 22, 2026.
One skier’s perspective on the 2026 American Birkebeiner
by sgowtham.com After a disappointing DNF in 2025 – my only one so far in cross country skiing and I had no one but myself hold accountable for it, my primary goal for the 2026 edition involved something I had done several times before … complete both the 29 km Kortelopet and 53 (or 55) km Birkie […]
Fast Course Conditions at Fat Bike Birkie 2026
CABLE, WI (2/28/26) – The 2026 Fat Bike Birkie, the premier fat tire bike race in the Midwest, delivered another high-energy, adrenaline-packed event on Saturday. Riders from 14 states (Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Missouri, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Washington, Indiana) and even one rider from New South Wales, Australia tackled the legendary Birkie Trails, pushing their limits on snow-packed terrain in […]
Birkie Week Wrap-Up Housekeeping
HAYWARD, Wis. — February 23, 2026 — As another incredible Birkie Week comes to a close, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation would like to share important housekeeping information for participants and spectators of Birkie Week events. Participants who need to arrange shipping or pick-up of awards, gear bags, bib packets, and other race materials can do so using […]
Fast conditions lead to course record at the 52nd Slumberland American Birkebeiner
PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE HAYWARD, WI (February 21, 2026) – A combination of recent weather changes including a week-long warm-up with rain followed by freezing temperatures provided fast snow conditions for the 52nd annual Slumberland American Birkebeiner presented by Pioneer Midwest. Luke Jager out of Anchorage, Alaska took first in the men’s 50-kilometer race with a time of 1:50:45 – a new course record. “I’ve never skied conditions like this at the Birkie,” said Alayna Sonnesyn the […]
Adjustments to Birkie Week 2026 due to weather
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation adjusts Birkie Week due to weather Hayward, WI (February 16, 2026) – Due to the past week’s warm temperatures and the uncertainty surrounding the impending weather coming to the Hayward/Cable area on Tuesday into Wednesday, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) is making adjustments to the Birkie Week of events. Event organizers have postponed Wednesday’s Open Track to Thursday, and the events originally scheduled to take place Thursday on Hayward’s Main Street will now be […]
After the Race: Finding Your Skis & Clothing at the Birkie Start
Every year after the races, the Birkie Start area fills with a familiar sight: piles of jackets, warm-ups, and occasionally a lonely pair of skis or poles waiting to be reunited with their owner. While most items are eventually claimed, the process is smoother—and less stressful—when everyone follows a few simple steps. Collection Boxes at […]
WPR features ‘Wave 70’ for skiers aged 70 and older
A “fear factor” keeps 71-year-old Mary Eloranta of Pewaukee training for the American Birkebeiner all year long. The famously hilly and demanding 30-mile ski marathon through Wisconsin’s Northwoods begins in Cable and finishes on the snowy Main Street of Hayward. Going that distance through tough terrain takes tremendous stamina and conditioning, especially for older racers. […]
Birkie One Brings Cross-Country Skiing to Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School
For the fourth consecutive year, Birkie One has brought its Learn to Ski program to students at the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School—introducing dozens of young skiers to the joy of cross-country skiing. This year also marked an exciting milestone: the program’s first season utilizing Nordic Rocks skis, making the experience more accessible and seamless […]
2026 Birkie Week Updates
Watch the February 2 livestream replay for the latest details and updates on Birkie Week 2026!
