Saturday, January 10, 2026
Classic 42K Race / Classic 22K Race
Seeley, WI
The winding, wooded 42/22K classic ski race is the second-largest annual cross-country ski event held on the American Birkebeiner Trail.
The race is an American Birkebeiner qualifying race.
What a year for the Seeley Hills Classic! Another low-snow season forced us off the Seeley hills. But thanks to Mt. Telemark Village’s snowmaking infrastructure and the hard working trail crew at the American Birkebeiner, a 5K looped course made for two great days of skiing! Due to the cancellation of numerous ski races in the midwest, we decide to take advantage of our machine-made snow and offer the first ever SHC Skate Sunday. This added event day provided an additional 170 skate skiers the opportunity to race!
We hope to be back on the original course from the Hwy OO trailhead in Seeley for 2026. All plans are on for now – register now and be a part of one of the oldest, classic only races in the Midwest, no matter where it is held!
| June 13-Oct 9 | Oct 10-Dec 11 | Dec 12-Jan 1 | Jan 2-Jan 10 | |
| 22k or 42k Classic | $80 | $90 | $100 | $110 |
| 22k - 18 years old and under on race day | $40 | $40 | $40 | $50 |
Protect your registration! Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Protecht offers refund protection so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case of injury, illness, or other unexpected events. Protecht can be purchased during your initial registration or up to five days after registration is completed.
Race registration changes may be made until 7:00pm Friday, January 9.
Please email registration@birkie.com with registration questions.
All races will start and finish at the Hwy OO Trailhead in the Kortelopet Stadium in Seeley, WI.
Parking is available at OO in the north and south lots at the Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center. Please use the Key Log Crossing to access the Kortelopet Stadium from the north side and do not cross directly on the road. Porta-potties will be located in the parking lots and at the start/finish line.
| 7:30 am - 9:30 am | Bib Pick-up at Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center |
| 10:00 am | 42k Start |
| 10:05 am | 22k Start |
| 12:00 pm | Post Race Party Begins at the Sawmill! |
| 2:00 pm | Awards Ceremony at the Sawmill |
| 2:30 pm | Raffle Drawing |
| 3:00 pm | Finisher Cut-off |
| 4:00 pm | End of Post Race Party |
UnTapped all natural gels, waffles, and hydration formulas provide athletes with sustained energy that is easily digestible, tastes great, and is free from the artificial flavors found in many popular energy products.
The 42K race will start at OO in the Kortelopet start area and make its way over Hwy OO on the Key Log Crossing. The course will go north on the Birkie Skate Trail, turn around at Fire Tower, and head south on the Birkie Classic Trail. The race will continue on at OO, heading south beyond Gravel Pit for 2K before turning 180 degrees and heading north to OO and the finish in the Kortelopet stadium.
The 22K starts in the Kortelopet stadium and heads south. After 11K skiers, turn around and head north to finish in the Kortelopet stadium.
We know 42K is a long ways to go, so we’ll be offering you aid at the regular aid station locations AND at OO! Aid stations will be found at Boedecker, OO, and Gravel Pit for the 42K race. The race will travel through Boedecker and Gravel Pit twice and OO once. The 22K race will have an aid station at Gravel Pit. Aid stations will offer water and UnTapped products. Consider going green and carrying your own hydration vessel!
| Aid Station | Kilometers from Start | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 0k | 10:00 am |
| Boedecker (northbound) | 5k | -- |
| Boedecker (southbound) | 15k | -- |
| OO | 20.5k | 12:30 pm |
| Gravel Pit (southbound) | 29k | -- |
| Gravel Pit (northbound) | 33k | 2:00 pm |
| Finish | 42k | 3:00 pm |
| Aid Station | Kilometers from Start | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|
| Start | 0k | 10:05 am |
| Gravel Pit (southbound) | 9k | -- |
| Gravel Pit (northbound) | 13k | 2:00 pm |
| Finish | 22k | 3:00 pm |
UnTapped all natural gels, waffles, and hydration formulas provide athletes with sustained energy that is easily digestible, tastes great, and is free from the artificial flavors found in many popular energy products.
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation encourages participants of all events on the Birkie Trail to use non-fluorinated waxes. As a member and supporter of US Ski and Snowboard, no fluorocarbon waxes will be allowed at the Seeley Hills Classic. Read our complete race policy here.
2:00 pm – Sawmill Saloon, Seeley WI
1st place: $1000
2nd place: $250
3rd place: $125
Awarded to the top 3 male and female finishers in the Full Race for Gary Penman’s hope that classic skiing live on and be celebrated.
Do you have an interest to volunteer for the Seeley Hills Classic? We need help with Aid Stations, Awards, Bibs, Parking, Start and Finish area.
Event timing and results provided by PrimeTime Timing
Event photos provided by Once In A Blue Moon Studio – Kelly Randolph Photography. View Seeley Classic photos here. >>
The Seeley Hills Classic races will start and finish at the Hwy OO Trailhead in Seeley, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:30, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 3:00, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:20.
For more information, please visit our lodging page to view the different lodging options that are around the area.
Learn more about Birkie partnerships by contacting Jen DeYoung at Jen.DeYoung@birkie.com.
