Seeley Hills Classic
Saturday, January 13, 2024

Challenge yourself on classic skis! The 42K or 22K distance has you kicking up some of the best hills on the Birkie Trail. Whether you’re new to skiing or you perfected your kick years ago, join the fun in this classic only event.

Be a part of the tradition! Join us for the 33rd Seeley Hills Classic!

The Seeley Hills Classic, started in 1992, is the second-largest annual classic cross-country ski event on the Birkebeiner Trail. The 42K race is an American Birkebeiner qualifying race.

Steeped in history and local ties, the race has served as a major fundraiser for the Seeley Ski Club, allowing it to promote skiing in a number of ways. The club was responsible for lighting the Birkie Trail at the Highway OO area, and developed the Sawyer County Ski Trail in the Seeley area, which it still maintains and grooms. Today, with the help of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, the Seeley Hills Classic legacy will continue to keep skiing strong in the Seeley area.

2024 Seeley Hills Classic Registration is Open!

Participants must be 15 years of age or older on race day to compete in the 42K event.  Participants must be 10 years of age or older on race day to compete in the 22k event.

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!

Race Changes

Races changes may be made until 7:00pm Thursday, January 11.

• 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

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 2024! 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 GU products.  Consider going green and carrying your own hydration vessel!

42K Course Map

22K Course Map

Friday, January 12

• 4:00-7:00pm: Bib Pick-up (Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center)

Saturday, January 13

• 7:00-9:30am: Bib Pick-up (Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center)
• 10:00am: 42k Start (Kortelopet Stadium)
• 10:05am: 22k Start (Kortelopet Stadium)
• 12:00pm: Post-Race Party Begins (The Sawmill)
• 2:00pm: Awards Ceremony (The Sawmill)
• 2:30pm: Raffle Drawing (The Sawmill)
• 3:00pm: Finisher Cut-Off (Kortelopet Stadium)
• 4:00pm: End of Soup Service (The Sawmill)

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.

Overall winners for the 42K and 22K races will receive an award, as well as the top two in each age group category.  Awards will be presented following the race at the Sawmill Saloon at 2 pm.

Penman Award for the top 3 male and female finishers in the 42K!  Special thanks to Pioneer Midwest for supporting classic skiing and Gary Penman’s hope that classic skiing live on and be celebrated.

1st place:  $1000
2nd place:  $250
3rd place: $125

Age Group Categories – Top 2 in Each Age Group

42K Race

– 29 years and under
– 30 – 39 years
– 40 – 49 years
– 50 – 59 years
– 60 – 69 years
– 70 + years

22K Race

– 19 years and under
– 20 – 29 years
– 30 – 39 years
– 40 – 49 years
– 50 – 59 years
– 60 – 69 years
– 70 + years

Do you have an interest to volunteer for the Seeley Hills Classic? We need help with Aid Stations, Awards, Bibs, Parking, Start and Finish area. Click here to review available shifts.

2023 Results »

2022 Results »

2021 Results »

2020 Results »

2019 Results »

Event timing and results provided by PrimeTime Timing.

Event photos by Once In A Blue Moon Studio-Kelly Randolph Photography.

North Woods Getaway

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.

Title Sponsor
Overall Title Sponsor of the Seeley Hills Classic

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

Be Part of the Birkie and the Markets We Serve!

Andrew Manocheo
Partnership Director
American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation
andrew.manocheo@birkie.com