Ski the historic Seeley Hills Classic on January 11, 2025 and take part in a rich Northwoods ski tradition. The 42/22K winding, wooded classic ski race is the second-largest annual cross-country ski event held on the American Birkebeiner Trail.

The Seeley Hills Classic is an important fundraiser for the Seeley Ski Club, which has supported skiing in the region for decades. The club spearheaded efforts to light the Birkie Ski Trail at the 00 Trailhead and develops, maintains, and grooms 15km of skiing at the Sawyer County Ski Trail. Today, with the help of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, the Seeley Hills Classic helps keep the legacy of Northwoods skiing alive.

The race is an American Birkebeiner qualifying race.

Registration

2025 Seeley Hills Classic Registration is Now Open!

May 13 - Sept 12Sept 13 - Nov 14Nov 15 - Dec 19Dec 20 - Jan 11
22k or 42k Classic$80$90$100$110
22k - 18 years old and under on race day$40$40$40$50

Participant hats for the first 500 race participants to pick up their bib.

Participants must be 15 years of age or older on race day to compete in the full race.  Participants must be 10 years of age or older on race day to compete in the half race.

Age-based pricing available for participants 18 years of age and younger on race day for the Seeley Hills Classic Half.

Race Changes

Races changes may be made until 7:00pm Friday, January 10.

  • To change your race event/technique (ALL EVENTS):
    • Log in to your RunSignUp Profile HERE
    • Scroll down to your event and click on “Manage Registration”
    • Click on “Transfer Event” (along both top and bottom menus).
    • Then select which new race you want to transfer to and complete new registration. You will be charged any differences and/or associated fees in the final cart.

Please email registration@birkie.com with registration questions.

Venue & Course Maps

Venue

All races will start and finish at the Hwy OO Trailhead in the Kortelopet Stadium in Seeley, WI.

Parking is available at OO in the north and south lots at the Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center.  Please use the Key Log Crossing to access the Kortelopet Stadium from the north side and do not cross directly on the road. Porta-potties will be located in the parking lots and at the start/finish line.

Course Maps

The 42K race will start at OO in the Kortelopet start area and make its way over Hwy OO on the Key Log Crossing.  The course will go north on the Birkie Skate Trail, turn around at Fire Tower, and head south on the Birkie Classic Trail.  The race will continue on at OO, heading south beyond Gravel Pit for 2K before turning 180 degrees and heading north to OO and the finish in the Kortelopet stadium.

The 22K starts in the Kortelopet stadium and heads south. After 11K skiers, turn around and head north to finish in the Kortelopet stadium.

*New for 2025! We’ve added an aid station! We know 42K is a long ways to go, so we’ll be offering you aid at the regular aid station locations AND at OO! Aid stations will be found at Boedecker, OO, and Gravel Pit for the 42K race.  The race will travel through Boedecker and Gravel Pit twice and OO once.  The 22K race will have an aid station at Gravel Pit.  Aid stations will offer water and UnTapped products.  Consider going green and carrying your own hydration vessel!

42K Course Map

22K Course Map

Race Day Schedule

  • 7:00 – 9:30am: Bib pickup at the Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center at the Hwy OO Trailhead.  No in-person registration, please register online before arriving!
  • 10:00am: 42K Race starts!
  • 10:05am: 22K Race starts!
  • 12:00pm: Soup at the Sawmill for participants begins
  • 2:00pm: Awards Ceremony begins at the Sawmill
  • 3:00pm:  Last finishers

Wax Policy

The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation encourages participants of all events on the Birkie Trail to use non-fluorinated waxes. As a member and supporter of US Ski and Snowboard, no fluorocarbon waxes will be allowed at the Seeley Hills Classic.

Lodging

North Woods GetawayTelemark Northwoods Lodging

The Seeley Hills Classic races will start and finish at the Hwy OO Trailhead in Seeley, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:30, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 3:00, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:20.

Lodging Options

For more information, please visit our lodging page to view the different lodging options that are around the area.

Sponsors

Title Sponsor
Overall Title Sponsor of the Seeley Hills Classic

Pioneer Midwest

Gold Circle Elite
Gold Level Sponsors of the Major Birkie Events Year-Round

Salomon
AriensCo
Untapped
Kwik Trip
Tamarack Health
Republic Services
Backroads Coffee
TIOA
Earth Rider Brewery
Maloja
Timber Ford

Be Part of the Birkie and the Markets We Serve!

Mike Brown
Interim Partnership Director
American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation
mike.brown@birkie.com