Kortelopet Classic and Skate 26K
Wednesday-Sunday, February 24-28, 2021

In-Person Race is Closed – Virtual Race Registration Closes 1/19/21!

Whether you’ve chosen to ski in-person or have opted for the virtual experience, Kortelopet 2021 will be an experience to remember!  #Birkie2021

Have you longed to challenge yourself in a brand new way? Set your sights on Korte 2021 and you’ll have something positive to train for, look forward to, be a part of, plan for.  It will be a 2021 Kortelopet experience to remember!  #Birkie2021

2021 Kortelopet
In-Person Race is Closed – Virtual Event Registration Closes 1/19/21

Please register under the same name (exact spelling) every year in order to keep track of your previous race finishes.  If you are unsure of the name you have previously registered under, please call the Birkie office at 715-634-5025 or email registration@birkie.com.

Virtual Event Option

For skiers who aren’t able to travel to Hayward/Cable, or skiers who don’t feel comfortable traveling in February of 2021, we are offering a virtual event for the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon.  Register for your event now and simply choose to participate virtually.  You’ll receive your bib and participant hat in the mail so you can wear your bib on race day.  Complete your event on skis or rollerskis on the event day and within the event time limit, track your race using a GPS based app or have a reliable eyewitness verify your results.  Submit your results and you will receive credit for the race and your finish pin.  Results from virtual participation may not be used for future wave placement.  If you’ve already registered for the Kortelopet and would like to switch to the virtual race option, click here.  Complete details on the virtual race are found in the FAQ’s on the Birkie Event Update page.

To switch to the virtual Birkie, Korte or Prince Haakon option, click here.

Protect Your Registration!

Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons.  Next Wave Insurance offers Regsaver so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case injury, illness, or another covered peril occurs.* Please see policy for complete list of covered perils at www.registrationsaver.com/birkie. Limitations and exclusions apply. Next Wave Insurance, CA License #: OF00755.

Learn More About RegSaver Registration Protection!

Entry Scholarship for Wisconsin Student Athletes

Middle school or high school students who are on a ski team in Wisconsin and have not previously skied a Kortelopet may be eligible for a free race entry provided by the Wisconsin Nordic Network. Contact your school team coach to apply. The Korte Scholarship is made possible by donations, contact WINN to donate and send a kid to the Korte!

Like Birkie skiers, Kortelopet skiers are a dedicated bunch!  In honor of a Korte skier’s determination and dedication, there is a well-deserved recognition program!  Skiløper, Norwegian for “skier” (pronounced “Shē-lōp-păh”), began in 2019 and recognizes Kortelopet skiers who reach the milestones of 10, 20, and 30-years.  In addition to the current recognition which includes a Kortelopet 10-year plaque and a finisher pin, Skiløper skiers receive a unique bib and deservedly a little swagger for earning it!  Here’s how it works:

• Skiers are recognized at 10, 20 and 30 years for their Kortelopet accomplishments!
  • Skiløper – Ti (Pronounced “tee” means Ten )
    • Unique bib for 10-19 years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Ti
  • Skiløper -Tjue (Pronounced “tu-a” means Twenty)
    • Unique bib for 20-29 years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Tjue
  • Skiløper – Tretti (Pronounced “tre-tee” means thirty)
    • Unique bib for 30+ years
    • Listed in the results of the Birch Scroll as a Skiløper – Tretti

If you’ve skied 10 or more Kortelopet races, you’ll automatically receive a bib for the next year for your overall Korte accomplishments as a Skiløper (Ti, Tjue, or Tretti!).

Congratulations Skiløper – You’ve Earned it!

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation utilizes a seeded start structure for four of its events:  Birkebeiner Skate, Birkebeiner Classic, Kortelopet Skate, and Kortelopet Classic.  Participants are seeded into start waves based on their race history.  The first priority for wave placement is your best result from 2018 – 2020 Korte events for the same event for which you are registering- distance and technique (see the Wave Seeding Criteria tables below).

If you do not have a finish time for that specific event (same distance & technique) from 2018 -2020, but do have a finish time from any of the other distances/techniques, you will be placed in a wave based on the best finish result from that event, plus or minus an adjustment factor which accounts for the historical difference in the strength of competition between the races (see the Event Adjustment Factor table below).  If you have participated in multiple Birkie events in 2018-2020, wave placement criteria will use results from the similar distance race, then from a similar technique.  Race times from the 2021 Kortelopet race will not be used for calculating 2022 wave placement.

Participants who do not have a Korte event finish time from those years will be placed in the last wave.  The goal of wave placement is to place participants of similar abilities together to minimize passing and encourage a smooth flowing race.

The Korte has three special waves- Elite, U20 and Wave 70, for younger and older skiers. See the details for these waves below.

Kortelopet Elite Waves

The Kortelopet Skate and Classic races each have an elite wave. The Kortelopet Skate Elite Wave is comprised of the top 100 men and 50 women from the 2020 Kortelopet Skate Race only; Kortelopet Classic Elite Wave is top 40 men and 20 women from the 2020 Kortelopet Classic only.  Participants qualifying for a Korte Elite Wave will automatically be placed in the Elite Wave wave upon registering. Skiers qualifying for the Elite Wave may register for the race until January 26, 2021.  Elite Wave qualifiers that skied a different technique or did not participate in the 2020 Kortelopet will not be placed in the elite wave, but may request to be put on the Elite Waitlist. Athletes racing a different technique in 2021 or elite athletes new to the Kortelopet must request to be placed on the Elite Wave Waitlist by emailing registration@birkie.com.  Emails should include a race resume or qualifications.

In 2021, Korte Champions will be crowned on Saturday for skate and Sunday for classic.  Elite skiers must race on those days to be eligible for awards.

All elite wave qualifiers for 2021 will be automatically qualified in 2022.  Anyone skiing in the 2021 elite wave due to an elite upgrade request will have to make the request again in 2022.

Elite Wave registrations & Elite Waitlist requests close on January 26, 2021 at 4:00 pm CST. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the waitlist after January 26, 2021.

Kortelopet Skate Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Classic Wave Seeding Criteria

Event Adjustment Factors

U20 Wave for Junior Racers

If you are a skier born between January 1, 2001 and February 25, 2008 you will be assigned to start the Kortelopet in the U20 Classic or U20 Skate Waves.   If you are placed in the U20 and are a top skier, please see details in the “Kortelopet Elite Waves” section above for requesting placement in the Elite Wave.

The U20 wave is timed using a gun start– all U20 skiers will receive the same start time in their respective wave.  Official time of U20 skiers that start late will still reflect the U20 gun time.  If you are a junior skier and do not want to ski in the U20 wave contact registration@birkie.com and you will be placed in a wave based on the normal seeding process and your time will start when you cross the start line. U20 skiers not starting in the U20 wave will not be eligible for overall or age group awards.

Wave 70

Cross country skiing is a lifestyle sport that allows people to stay active and healthy into their later years. Each year the Kortelopet provides an opportunity to celebrate this for over one hundred skiers over the age of seventy! We recognize these skiers with a special bib and special wave.

Event/Technique Change Request

Participants may request to change from the Korte to the Birkie or Prince Haakon and/or change technique between Skate and Classic at any time until 4:00pm CST on January 19, 2021.  Wave placement is subject to availability at time of request. If the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. (Participants may no longer transfer from the Korte to the Birkie once the Birkie is full.)  A change fee of $25 will be applied. You will receive an updated e-mail confirmation reflecting the change once the change has been made. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.

Click here to request an Event/Technique change.

Wave Upgrade Request

Participants may utilize their result from the list of qualifier competitions to improve on their placement from the above criteria. Similar to the comparison between the American Birkebeiner events, the results of the qualifiers will be adjusted based on the strength of competition, distance, and course elevation profile.

Click here to make a wave upgrade request by 4:00pm CST on January 19, 2021. All requests will be charged a $15 service fee, whether a wave upgrade is granted or not. Wave upgrades are subject to availability, if the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. You will receive an updated wave placement email confirmation if an upgrade has been made. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.  In an effort to create an environment with reduced on-trail passing, consistent race flow, reduced congestion in aid stations, and the safest possible environment for all skiers, we are unable to downgrade a skier to a wave that is slower than the wave they qualify for (and outside of the wave options provided in the Race Day Selection emails).

You may request to use a race result from the list of qualifier competitions to improve your wave placement. Follow these steps to see if you are eligible for an upgrade:

1. Determine your percent back in the qualifier race. Take the Difference in time between You and the Winner. Divide that by the Winner’s time. (Example: your time is 2:36, winning time is 2:00; Difference =36 minutes/2 hours = 0.3 x 100 = 30% back)
2. Determine your Percent Back Equivalency (PBE). Add the qualifier race’s Adjustment Factor, which is found on the Qualifier List. PBE = Your % Back + Adjustment Factor (Example your 30% back + 57% Adjustment Factor = 87% Back Equivalency.)
3. Determine where your Percent Back Equivalency (PBE) would place you. Look up your PBE in the 2020 column of the Wave Seeding Table of the race for which you are registered. (Example: A PBE of 87% will place you in Wave 5 for Birkie Skate or Wave 2 for Birkie Classic or Wave 3 Korte Skate or Wave 1 Korte Classic)

Request an upgrade only if your PBE will place you in a lower wave.  Make sure you have completed steps 1-3 before submitting your request as there are no refunds.

Bibs and Birkie Gear Bags Delivered to You

In 2021, prior to Birkie Week, you can have your bib packet ($6) and/or Birkie Gear Bag ($11) mailed to you.  Bib packets and gear bags will be mailed at the beginning of February.  Bib packet mailing requests will be accepted through Friday, January 22 at 4 pm CST in order to be processed and mailed before the race.  Gear Bag mailing requests will be excepted until March 31, 2021. Click here to have your bib packet and/or Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you.

Bib packets and Birkie Gear Bags will be mailed to US addresses only.

Birkie Week Bib Pickup

Bib pickup for in-person participants will be at Birkie Ridge by driveup only.  Specific details like dates and times are still to be determined.

Race Day Maps

Arrival & Departure Map
Start/Finish Layout Map

2021 Kortelopet Skate Wave Start Schedule – Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday

2021 Kortelopet Classic Wave Start Schedule – Friday, Sunday

Birkie Expo

Exciting changes are happening to the Birkie Expo for 2021.  Check back here for more information soon.

Click Here for Birkie Expo Information »

The race is run according to the rules and regulations of the FIS and any special requirements stated in the entry form, Birch Scroll, this web site, www.birkie.com and participant race instructions. Offenses against any of these rules may lead to disqualification for current or future events and the forfeiture of any and all awards.

All participants in the Birkebeiner must be 18 years of age by February 27, 2021. Kortelopet skiers must be 13 years of age by February 26, 2021. There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. Entry fees are non-transferable between individuals or to future races.

Participants who complete an event for which they are not registered (for example – ski the skate course when they registered for classic) will be credited for completing the race but will not be given a finish time, will not be eligible for awards and will not be included in the official results.

There will be no drop bag service offered during 2021 races.  Skiers should use their vehicle for storage of all personal belongings.

Participant Rules.

NEW! Trash Penalty. 

A trash penalty is now in place for all Birkie events.  Any participant, ocach, or support crew caught throwing waste on the trail or into the woods between aid stations could be assessed a 15 minute penalty. There will be “Last Chance” garbage disposal areas as you leave aid stations at all 2021 races.  Violators should be reported by bib number via email at birkie@birkie.com or to a volunteer at the next aid station.  Read more in the Participant rules above.

Cut-Off Times

Participants of the 2021 Events must complete their race by 6 pm. Cut-off times for races must be strictly followed for the safety of participants and volunteers.  Participants not following guidance from Medical Staff and Race Chiefs will risk penalty and possible ineligibility for future Birkie Events.

View Kortelopet Results »

Worldloppet is an international association of long distance ski races, created in 1979 from the inspiration of American Birkebeiner creator, Tony Wise. The Birkie is among the nine races that comprised the founding events, which have grown to over 20 races on five continents.

Worldloppet Ambassadors

There are many Birkie Skiers who have experience traveling to races around the globe. If you are interested in a particular race or just about the Worldloppet in general, we can connect you with someone who can share their experience with you and help to plan a trip. Click Here to submit an inquiry.

Worldloppet Passports

Tens of thousands of skiers around the world record their Worldloppet race finishes in a special Passport. Finishers of the Kortelopet Skate or Classic can have their passport stamped for Worldmaster Silver credit or purchase a new passport to start their Worldloppet adventure.

Worldloppet passports may be purchased on-line by clicking HERE. If you have completed an American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet race in the past, you can request that a stamped passport be mailed to you at any time.  The cost of new passports are $35.

Worldloppet Breakfast

All are welcome to join Worldloppet Skiers, delegates from other Worldloppet Competitions, and honored guests at the Worldloppet Breakfast on Friday of Birkie Week.  More information and registration details coming for the 2021 event.

Lodging

For lodging information, see our Lodging page.

Camp Birkie Childcare

Camp Birkie is postponed until Birkie Week 2022.

Click Here to Meet Our Sponsors

American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Cable

Sorry, no spectators are allowed in the start or finish areas in 2021.

Check back soon to get this year’s wax recommendations from our sponsors — Swix, New Moon, Gear West, Start, and BNS.

2020 Photos and Videos

• 2020 Kortelopet – Start Line
• 2020 Kortelopet – Main Street Bridge
• 2020 Kortelopet – Main Street Finish Line

Future Birkie Week Dates:

2022: February 24 – 26

2023: February 23 – 25