2026 Cross Country Junior National Championships
March 9-14, 2026
Sanctioned by U.S. Ski & Snowboard
American Birkebeiner Trailhead - Cable, WI
The Official National Championships for Junior-aged Competitors, Sanctioned by U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is proud to host the 2026 U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Skiing Junior National Championships (JNs) at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable, WI from March 9-14, 2026!
Top U.S. athletes compete at Junior Nationals as part of 10 divisional teams from across the country. Each Division can bring up to 25 male and 25 female athletes spread across the U16, and U18/20 age groups.
Sunday, March 8
Monday, March 9
Wednesday, March 11
Friday, March 13
Saturday, March 14
- Monday, March 9, 2026: 7.5/5K Freestyle Interval Start
- Wednesday, March 11, 2026: Classic Sprint
- Friday, March 13, 2026: 14.6/11.3/8K Classic Mass Start
- Saturday, March 14, 2026: 4-Person Mixed Gender Freestyle Relay
2026 JN Monday Race Schedule
| 7.5K/5K Freestyle Interval Start | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Test Area & Warm Up Open | |
| 7:30 AM | 2.5K Course Open | |
| 8:55 AM | Course Closed | |
| 9:00 AM | U16 Men 5K Individual Start Freestyle | 2×2.5K course |
| 10:00 AM | U16 Women 2×2.5K Individual Start Freestyle | 2×2.5K course |
| 11:00 AM | Course Open | |
| 11:25 AM | Course Closed | |
| 11:30 AM | U16 Awards | |
| 11:30 AM | U18/U20 Men 7.5K Individual Start Freestyle | 3×2.5K course |
| 1:15 PM | U18/U20 Women 7.5K Individual Start Freestyle | 3×2.5K course |
| 3:30PM | U18/U20 Awards | |
| *Subject to change | ||
| *Updated | February 9, 2026 | |
2026 JN Wednesday Sprint Race Schedule
| 2026 Classic Sprint Event | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wax Test Area Open | ||
| 7:30 AM | Course Open | ||
| 8:55 AM | Course Closed | ||
| 9:00 AM | Qualifier for U16/18/20 Women | ||
| 10:00 AM | Qualifier for U16/18/20 Men | ||
| 11:00-11:25 AM | Course Open | ||
| 11:30 AM | U18 Women Quarter Finals | ||
| 11:55 AM | U18 Men Quarter Finals | ||
| 12:20 PM | U18 Women/Men Semi Finals | ||
| 12:45 PM | U18 B Finals | ||
| 12:55 PM | U18 A Finals | ||
| 1:10 PM | U20 Women Quarter Finals | ||
| 1:15 PM | U18 Podium Ceremony | ||
| 1:35 PM | U20 Men Quarter Finals | ||
| 2:00 PM | U20 Women/Men Semi Finals | ||
| 2:25 PM | U20 B Finals | ||
| 2:40 PM | U20 A Finals | ||
| 2:55-3:10 PM | Course open | ||
| 3:15 PM | U16 Women Quarter Final | ||
| 3:30 PM | U20 Podium Ceremony | ||
| 3:40 PM | U16 Men Quarter Final | ||
| 4:05 PM | U16 Women/Men Semi Finals | ||
| 4:30 PM | U16 B Finals | ||
| 4:40 PM | U16 A Finals | ||
| 5:00 PM | U16 Podium Ceremony | ||
| *Subject to Change | |||
| **Updated 2/10/2026 | |||
Updated 2026 JN Friday Race Schedule
| 2026 Classic Mass Start | ||
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Wax Test Area Open | |
| 8:30 AM | Course Open to Coaches Only | |
| 9:30 AM | Course Open to Athletes Only | |
| 9:55 AM | Course Closed | |
| 10:00 AM | U18 Women | 11.2K |
| 11:00 AM | U18 Men | 11.2K |
| 11:45-12:10 PM | Course Open | |
| 12:30 PM | U18 Podium Ceremony | |
| 12:15 PM | U20 Women | 14.5K |
| 1:20 PM | U20 Men | 14.5K |
| 2:30-2:50 PM | Course Open | |
| 2:45 PM | U20 Podium Ceremony | |
| 3:00 PM | U16 Women | 7.9K |
| 3:40 PM | U16 Men | 7.9K |
| 4:30 PM | U16 Podium Ceremony | |
| *Subject to Change | 3/12/2026 | |
2026 JN Saturday Race Schedule
| 2026 Mixed Gender Relay | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Wax Test Area Open | |
| 7:30 AM | Course Open | |
| 9:00 AM | U20 4 x 3K Freestyle | 4.6K + 3×3.3K |
| 10:30 AM | U18 4 x 3K Freestyle | 4.6K + 3×3.3K |
| 12:00 PM | U16 4 x 3K Fresstyle | 4.6K + 3×3.3K |
| 1:15 PM | Podium Ceremony | |
| 6:00 PM | Closing Ceremony | The Hub |
Monday’s Spectator Map
Venue Access and Parking
Ample parking is located in the large parking lot to the east of the venue. No parking is allowed at the finish line area or along the road way.
Getting to the Start
All of the races will start and finish at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Arrive at the start from Telemark Rd – take Hwy M east from Cable, take a right (south) on Telemark Rd. There is ample parking at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.
Concessions Schedule
Keep yourself fueled throughout the week of racing at the food trucks on-site at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead! Additional food and shopping will be available at the Hub – visit the Birkie Store, Backroads, and the American Birkebeiner Museum!
Food Truck Schedule at the Venue:
- Monday: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm — Honey Badger Bites Burrito Bowls
- Wednesday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm — T-Rex Inferno Wood Fire Pizza
- Friday: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm — Honey Badger Bites Burrito Bowls
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 1:15 pm — Honey Badger Bites Burrito Bowls
Closing Ceremonies:
- Saturday: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, with Honey Badger Bites, T-Rex Inferno, and stay tuned for more fun at the Hub!
Spectator Information
There are many great viewing places around the course. Spectators are not allowed in the Field of Play and must stay off of the groomed course at all times. Please follow crossing guard instructions!
Viewing from a far? Check back here for links to cameras at the venue. There will be no livestream with announcing this year.
Want to get in some skiing of your own? Plenty of area trails will be open for skiing. Check out Birkie Trails in the area here. Trail passes can be found here.
For Questions:
Contact Information:
Kristy Maki, Chief of Competition: Kristy.maki@birkie.com
Race Secretary: nationals@birkie.com
| Chief of Competition | Kristy Maki |
| Asst Chief of Competition | Bruce Manske |
| Chief of Medical | Dr. Jesse Coenen |
| Medical Coordinator | Les Luder |
| Chief of Admin and Finance | Mike Brown |
| Head Groomer | Erik Blow |
| Race Secretary | Siiri Morse |
| Chief of Course | Jeff Tumbleson |
| Chief of Stadium | Gary Larson |
| Asst. Chief of Stadium | Jesse Cain |
| Chief of Start | Jim Krueger |
| Chief of Finish | Dalt Collins |
| Asst. Chief of Finish | Dave Gebhart |
| Chief of Timekeeping and Data | Dave Johnson |
| Chief of Control | Scott Wilson |
| Chief of Media and Communications | Shawn Connelly |
| TD | Fred Bailey |
| Asst TD | Colin Fay |
| Jury Member | Noel Johnson |
| USSS Representative | Bryan Fish |
| Chief of Awards | Heather Ludzak |
Gold Circle Elite
Gold Level Sponsors of the Major Birkie Events Year-Round
Let’s add to all of the fun races with some great social events!
Sunday, March 8th: Opening Ceremony, Downtown Cable, 5pm
Tuesday, March 10th: Skiing after High School, The Hub, 3-7pm, Hosted by Borah Teamwear
Wednesday, March 11th:
Thursday, March 12th: Parent Social, 4-6pm, The Hub, Hosted by Salomon and NNF
Saturday, March 14th: Closing Ceremony, the Hub, 6-9pm