Birkie Tour
Saturday, January 21, 2023

New Event Details for 2023 Coming Soon!

Tour Course

The 2022 Birkie Tour will start at the Birkie Trailhead and make a 46 km counter-clockwise loop following the Birkie Skate Trail south to Highway OO then looping back north on the Birkie Classic Trail back to the finish. Skiers have the option to turn back north at Timber Trail Aid Station, making a 15 km Tour, at Fire Tower to make 26 km Tour, or multiple other locations along the way.  You choose the distance you want to tackle!

2022 Birkie Tour Map 

Birkie Tour Participant Guide 2022

Participant Gift

Check out the 2022 gift, a custom fleece blanket!

Raffle Prizes

Put your name in the hat at each aid station for the opportunity to win great raffle prizes from our sponsors!  The more aid stations you visit, the more chances you have to win! Every Birkie Tour participant will receive 6 complimentary raffle tickets at bib pickup.

Raffle prizes include:

• A Birkie to-go coffee mug and special Backroads Birkie blends
• 1 pair of Madshus skate skis
• 1 pair of Madshus classic skis
• 1 pair of Salomon classic skis
• 1 great prize package, valued at $400, from EnjoyWinter including:  Bliz Proflip, KinetiXX Joko lobster trigger gloves, 4KAAD drink belt, Start Ultra Gel glide wax, STC Avanti Pole, and Bliz Drift
• 1 pair of Swix Triac 3.0 poles, valued at $350, from New Moon Ski and Bike Shop

Bib Pick-Up

Bib pickup is at the Birkie trailhead in the Great Hall from 7:30am-10:00am on Saturday, January 15. Masks are required while inside.

Start Times

Start your Tour anytime between 8am-10am.

BirkieTour Ambassadors

The course will be patrolled throughout the day by BirkieTour Ambassadors.  Ambassadors have a lot of Birkie Trail experience and can assist with waxing and share their knowledge of the Birkie Trails and Birkie Races. Look for the white Ambassador bibs.

Aid Stations

Your Tour will be supported with 3 Aid Stations along the course- Timber Trail, Fire Tower, and Boedecker.  Ski to each aid station for tasty treats that will feel like skiing around the world!

Aid Station Open Times:

• Timber Trail—Norway: 9:15am-2:00pm
  • Pastries
  •  Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate
• Fire Tower—Sweden: 9:30am-1:30pm
  • Blueberry Soup
  • Dinty Moore stew
• Boedecker—Italy: 9:45am-12-:45pm
  • Backroads Coffee
  • Backroads Biscotti
• Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center at the Hwy OO Trailhead will be open with bathroom access and the Backroads coffee shop (items for sale)

After-Ski Snacks and Beverage

After skiing, enjoy a lunch from the Northern Lakes Cooperative and a beer from Earth Rider Brewery, the Official Beer of the Birkie!

On the menu:  Philly Beef sandwich on hoagie or vegetarian option, Steakhouse potato salad, and a triple brownie carmel bar for dessert!

Cut-Off Times

All good things must come to an end, so in order to get all the skiers and volunteers back to the finish at the Birkie Trailhead by 3:00 pm, the following cut-off times will be in place.

• Skiers heading southbound who do not make the times will be turned back north.
• Skiers heading northbound who do not make the times will be transported back to the Birkie Trailhead.
• The maximum time to finish a Tour is 7 hours.
• In order to meet the cut-off times a skier skiing the 46 km course needs to start at 9:00 am and ski 8 km per hour, including stops.

Volunteers make this event possible!  We always need help at aid stations, parking cars, assisting participants and course support. If you are interested in helping out contact Ronda Tworek, Director of Volunteers and Membership Services, at 715.634.5025, or ronda.tworek@birkie.com.

Click Here to Volunteer!

Presenting Sponsor of the Birkie Tour