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 held at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead at Mt. Telemark Village in Cable, Wisconsin. 

“Our number one priority is safety,” said ABSF Executive Director Ben Popp. “And with this system coming Tuesday into Wednesday, we needed to make a decision now to ensure we can host a safe event regardless of what the weather does.” 

“We do not feel comfortable putting participants out on an icy course, and we can’t predict where this rain, snow, ice is going to fall between Cable and Hayward,” said ASBF Event Director Kristy Maki. “Moving Wednesday’s Open Track to Thursday allows us to still have the event as opposed to potentially having to cancelling it entirely.” 

Recent warm weather has also caused Thursday’s events to be moved to Mt. Telemark Village in Cable, WI. “The Birkie Trail is in great shape. What’s not in great shape is the golf course downtown where we host our Thursday events,” said Maki. “Moving the Barkie Birkie, Barne Birkie and Junior Birkie to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead ensures all our young skiers and four-legged family members can enjoy a race on snow.” 

The annual Giant Ski competition will still take place on Thursday, February 19 on Main Street in Downtown Hayward. Friday and Saturday’s races are still being held on the Birkie Trail, finishing on Main Street in Downtown Hayward. 

Additional details for these event changes can be found on birkie.com starting February 17. 

For questions call the Birkie Office at 715-634-5025 

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Posted February 16, 2026 at 10:33 pm