About the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation

The mission of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is:

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated, as reflected in the Birkie Mission Statement, to hosting one of the world’s best cross country ski events, the American Birkebeiner, maintaining one of the nation’s premier recreation trails, and promoting healthy lifestyles for people of all ages. The American Birkebeiner is made up of several events in addition to the 50K and 53K Birkie marathon races and the 24K Kortelopet race (the second largest ski race in North America).

American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is a membership organization. Memberships are annual for individuals, families and businesses. The Foundation is lead by a 13 member Board of Directors with six permanent and several part time and seasonal staff. The permanent staff includes an Executive Director, Director of Race Operations and an Office Manager.

The late Tony Wise who looked to his Norwegian heritage and patterned the ski marathon after the Birkebeiner Rennet, which had been held in Norway since 1932, founded the American Birkebeiner in 1973. Both events honor and re-create a historic Norwegian event when in 1206, two warrior soldiers, called “Birkebeiners” because of the birch-bark leggings they wore, skied infant Prince Haakon to safety during the Norwegian civil war. Prince Haakon subsequently became King of Norway, and the Birkebeiner soldiers became a Norwegian symbol of courage, perseverance and character in the face of adversity.

Over the years many thousands of people, both elite and “Citizen Skiers,” have enjoyed the thrill of personal triumph crossing the finish line of the Birkie and earning their prestigious award medallions.

In 1978 Wise formed the Worldloppet League, which now unites the American Birkebeiner with 19 of the world’s most prestigious ski marathons. In the trying days of the Cold War, Wise envisioned the exhilaration of marathon skiing as a conduit to international understanding. Today, skiers from many nations come to America to ski the Birkie.

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation was formed in 1985 when Tony Wise lost control of the event in the bankruptcy of his Telemark Resort property and other interests. Since then the ABSF has endeavored to preserve his legacy in the Cable/Hayward area.

Promotion of cross country skiing and protection and maintenance of the American Birkebeiner Trail are two of our primary goals. Each year our ABSF Development Grant Program awards thousands of dollars in grants to youth skiing organizations throughout the region and nation to foster young people making skiing part of their life.

Our Trail Fund was established to raise money to help offset our annual $130,000 trail budget. This money is used to pay for mowing and grooming the trail, repairing erosion, removing fallen trees, and providing signage throughout the year.

Please consider a donation into these funds. All donations to the ABSF are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.

The ABSF office is located in downtown Hayward, WI. The Board of Directors is elected to staggered, three- year-terms by Foundation membership at the Annual Meeting held each August.

We invite you to join skiers, the ski industry, and dedicated people in the Cable/Hayward area and the nation in perpetuating these uplifting ski events and the most life affirming sport on snow.

If you would like to stay up to date on the latest information about the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation and its events click here to subscribe to our Carpe-Skiem e-newsletter.

Foundation Committees

Capital Campaign / ABSF Development Committee

• Chair: Bill Brown
• Members: Kathie Schaus, Mike Cleary, Karen Manske, Paul Eckerline, John Schneider, Jan Guenther, Scott Chapin
• Staff: Ben Popp
• Consultant: John Munger

Finance Committee

• Chair: Kris Bjerkness
• Members: Jan Guenther, Tom Duffy, Sue Scheer, Andy Ubel, Paul Eckerline
• Staff: Mike Brown

HR Committee

• Members: Paul Eckerline, Bill Brown
• Staff: Mike Brown

Birkie One

• Chair: Chris Morley
• Members: Andy Ubel, Sue Scheer, Madelyn Rekemeyer, Ernie St. Germaine, Thom Malnourie, Bob Kovar
• Staff: Jeff Tumbleson

Documentation

• Chair: Andy Ubel
• Members: Karen Manske, Kathie Schaus, Paul Eckerline, Bill Brown

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 membership-based organization that is governed by non-profit foundation bylaws.

A.B.S.F. Bylaws

A.B.S.F. Procedures Manual

Board of Directors:

Meetings are held the 3rd Monday of each month at the Birkie office (10527 Main St, Hayward WI), at 3:00PM (normally, no meetings are held February, June or November).  See next section for special information regarding the Annual Meeting.

Finance Committee:

Meets the same day as the Board of Directors meeting at 1:00PM, at the Birkie office (10527 Main St, Hayward WI).

2023 – Board Meeting Minutes

2022 – Board Meeting Minutes

2021 – Board Meeting Minutes

2020 – Board Meeting Minutes

2019 – Board Meeting Minutes

2018 – Board Meeting Minutes

2017 – Board Meeting Minutes

2016 – Board Meeting Minutes

2015 – Board Meeting Minutes

2014 – Board Meeting Minutes

2013 – Board Meeting Minutes

2012 – Board Meeting Minutes

2011 – Board Meeting Minutes

2010 – Board Meeting Minutes

Click Here for ABSF Annual Meeting Information »