Birkie One
Mission
To reduce barriers to underserved groups and increase participation in an active outdoor lifestyle, including skiing, running and biking.
Learn To Ski Programs
Board members, staff, and volunteers, including Ernie St. Germaine, have been teaching beginner ski techniques to students at the Akii-gikinoo’amaading Charter School and the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe School since 2022. For some kids, it is their first time ever cross country skiing!
Zhooshoomemiikaanis Trail
The summer of 2022 was full of trail restoration at the Lac Courte Oreilles College. This trail was first established in 1982 and rebuilt in 2022 with the support of Ernie St. Germaine, Birkie Founder and Anishinabeg Indian. The trail was rebuilt with the help of the LCO Ojibwe School, Akii-gikinoo’amaading Charter School, and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. Read more about the trail restoration here: Zhooshoomemiikaanis Trail
Ziigwan Bimibaatoo Run Series
The weekly spring run/walk series provides an amazing opportunity for kids and their families to stay active and participate in a fun community event. 2026 event information coming soon.
The Nordic Rocks program was developed by Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) as a way to easily introduce the sport of skiing to schools. These skis are unique in that they were designed with a binding system that attaches to any type of snow boot – no need for ski boots! This makes the process of getting kids suited up incredibly easy and leaves more time for playing in the snow!
The ABSF now has 25 pairs of Nordic Rocks skis to use for Learn to Ski Programs. Contact us to learn about how your school/youth group can take part in this program. Email Erin at erin.blow@birkie.com to get started.
There are so many ways for your school group (or any other youth groups) to explore the amazing 4-season trails at Mt. Telemark Village! Our staff and volunteers are eager to teach new skills, provide a fun way to stay active, and introduce kids to the Northwoods. We can help structure a visit that fits with your groups interests:
- Biking
- Hiking/Trail Running
- Skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Sledding
- Ice Skating
- Nature Programming
- History (Tony Wise Museum)
- Disc Golf (coming soon!)
Contact us to learn about how your school/youth group can take part in this program. Email Erin at erin.blow@birkie.com to get started.
Ski de She
In 2023 the Birkie hosted it’s first women’s only ski camp for all skill levels, beginner to advanced. The skiers were able to learn different techniques, depending on their skill level, and gain insights from multiple speakers that came over the weekend. Speakers sharing information from nutrition to waxing and clothing selection. In addition to the ski camp, skiers can also take part in one of the many races offered!
Stride de She
Stride de She camp is a running experience for all women held in the beautiful Northwoods of Cable, Wisconsin. This empowering weekend offers tailored workouts, expert coaching, and inspiring group runs to help all ages and abilities reach their fitness goals. Workshops will focus on strength, nutrition, mental strategies, and injury prevention.
This event offers the tools to run stronger, smarter, and with confidence. It’s all about boosting endurance, improving technique, and building lasting connections with a supportive community of women.
Shred de She
Shred de She – Fat Bike is a weekend adventure filled with the great outdoors, great riding, and great women who aspire to and love to ride. Riders attend workshops led by premier female outdoor specialists, learn riding techniques and bike maintenance, and enjoy local Northwoods dining at the Birkie’s world-class fat biking venue.
During the fall of 2022 the Birkie completed the 5-kilometer George Hovland paved loop at the Birkie Trailhead. This loop is accessible to individuals who are unable to access unpaved trails due to different abilities. The paved trail can be used by pedestrians, individuals who use a wheelchair, cyclists, and roller skiers. The addition of this trail offers an accessible location for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities to recreate and enjoy the Northwoods.
All-Terrain Wheelchair Coming to Mt. Telemark Village
We are excited to announce that we are in the application process with Access Ability Wisconsin to have an All-Terrain Wheelchair at Mt. Telemark Village! We can’t wait to offer universal access to our trails. We are committed to ensure that anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors, can be a part of what we are working on at Mt. Telemark Village.
Bike Program
We will be starting a bike riding day each week with the kids from the Akii-gikinoo’amaading Charter School. We will also be partnering with Dave Schlabowske and his bike packing program. Dave will be providing the kids with gear. By the end of the summer, our hope is to end the program with a 7-10 mile bike ride, camping overnight, and then riding home . Dave and Ernie are working closely on this curriculum.
Para Athlete Camp
This year at Mt. Telemark Village we are excited to partner with BethAnn Chamberlain and para development to host a para camp with athletes from around the Midwest at our facilities.
2023- Indigenous Games Athlete: Brooke Dorman DeFoe
As part of the Birkie One initiative, we were proud to help raise funds for Brooke to attend the competition where she competed in discus, 100 & 200-meter track competitions. Funds supported her and her family with the costs of travel to Nova Scotia, Canada.
Competitors from Native American tribes from all over the United States and Canada compete in the Indigenous Games. Brooke represented Team Wisconsin. Brooke loved being an athlete- she ran on her school cross-country team, competed on the track team, and played softball. In notable accomplishments, she stood on the podium for a middle school discus competition. Brooke held a 3.4 GPA and was acknowledged as Student of the Month at her school.
2023 – Colorado Springs Trail Running Camp for Kids: a collaboration with Joseph Gray’s Project Inspire Diversity
In 2023, we collaborated with Joseph Gray, the founder of Project Inspire Diversity to hold a 2.5 day trail running camp for youth in Colorado Springs, CO. Gray is a world-renowned trail runner & 2021 Birkie Trail Run USATF 1/2 marathon champion. His mission is to provide a safe place for kids to learn how to run on trails, build confidence, and help develop the strength that is within – a vision that is right in line with our Birkie One initiative.
