Barkie Birkie

Thursday, February 25, 2027
Skijor 1K, 3K, 5K Race
Main Street, Hayward, WI

Barkie Birkie is one of Birkie Week’s most beloved events. Skiers and their dogs form a skijoring team to complete either a 5K, 3K, or 1K course that finishes to cheering crowds on Main Street in Hayward, WI. Skijoring, derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning “ski driving” and has been in practice for hundreds of years. Join this Northwoods tradition and combine human skiing and canine power for a truly fun winter experience.

Most properly-trained medium size dogs (30 pounds and up) can be candidates for cani-cross racing. Teams must have previous experience to compete in the Barkie Birkie.

New to the Sport?

Many ski shops and outdoor shops can help you fit and purchase skijoring equipment.

Skiers may skijor on the Seeley Hills Trails, Seeley, Wisconsin. From County OO take old Hwy OO to the trailhead.

Dog Requirements

Entry is limited to one person per dog
All dogs must be sufficiently fit to be able to complete the course without risk of injury
Dogs must be healthy and have up-to-date vaccinations
Dogs must be treated humanely at all times
Dogs must be controlled and kept from other teams
Loose dogs are not permitted at any time
Aggressive dogs are prohibited from the event
Waste is the dog owners responsibility and it must be picked up immediately

Equipment Requirements

Skate or Classic skis are allowed
Metal ski edges are not permitted
Skijor belt is required and must be padded
Towline must use internal bungee
The distance between the skijorer and the dog should be between 7 feet and 10 feet
A pulling style dog harness is required with padding around the neck area
Each dog must wear a snug fitting dog collar
Under no circumstances can the towline be attached to the dog’s collar or any harness not specifically designed for pulling

Start

Interval start
Skijorers must provide their own handler if there is any concern about maintaining adequate control in the start area. Handlers may not stay in the start/finish area while the team is on-course
The front tips of the skijorer’s skis must be behind the start line prior to the signal to start. The dog may start “lined out” ahead of the start line
The skijorer’s race bib must be visible to race officials at all times

On-Course

There are a few sections with two-way traffic
Skijorers must stay to the right if facing an oncoming team

Passing

A passing skijorer must execute a pass only when conditions are safe
The skijorer must shout “Trail”, “On your left”, etc. before attempting to pass
The skijorer being passed should slow and move to the side of the trail, if possible
The skijorer being passed should stop poling and hold their poles behind, low, and away from the passing team
Skijorers must exhibit care, good judgement, and fairness whenever passing others

Finish

Skijorers must exit the finish area as soon as possible
No finish line food or beverages will be available
Dogs are NOT allowed in the Celebration Tent after the Barkie Birkie Skijor races