Turkey Birkie

Friday-Sunday
November 28-30, 2025

Early-Season Ski Festival
Mt. Telemark Village, Cable, WI

Nordjork Logo
Nordjork logo

Glide on early-season snow, take a lesson, and simply enjoy a day on skis in Wisconsin’s Northwoods!

Whether you are a beginner or you’ve been on skis for a while, let Turkey Birkie Ski Festival kick off your ski season! Start at the Hub at Mt. Telemark Village and head out on the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail towards the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Test out gear from leading ski manufacturers, take a ski lesson, and join family and friends in a healthy way on a holiday weekend!

All Attending Must Have a Trail Pass

Turkey birkie neckies a 2

Everyone with an All-Access Season Pass or a 3-day Daily Pass will get a cool Turkey Birkie neckwrap.  Show your trail pass at check-in to receive a custom Turkey Birkie neckwrap. Your digital trail pass will be in your email confirmation, in your Birkie account, and you can download it to your Apple Wallet. There is no separate registration needed for Turkey Birkie this year once you have purchased your trail pass.

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at Mt Telemark Village at the Hub.  Arrive from Telemark Rd – take Hwy M east from Cable, take a right (south) on Telemark Rd. and follow the signs to parking and registration/check-in.  There is ample parking in the Dahl Auto and Valhalla Parking Lots.

Check-in at the Hub and stop back in to warm-up, get a dry layer, or have some lunch. The indoor space right next to the trail is perfect for meeting up with friends or having a mid-ski stop to refuel!

Parking key (35)
Venue map mtv (4)

Schedule

Friday

8:00 am - 4:00 pmCheck-In & Shop with NORDJÖRK
8:00 am - 10:00 amComplimentary Backroads Coffee
3:30 - 5:00 pmFundraising Happy Hour
5:00 pmTrails Closed for Grooming

Saturday

8:00 am - 4:00 pmCheck-In & Shop with NORDJÖRK
8:00 am - 10:00 amComplimentary Backroads Coffee
11:00 am - 1:00 pmSpecial Announcement Coming Soon!
1:30 pm - 2:00 pmBook Signing and Presentation by author Jerome P. Poling
5:00 pmTrails Closed for Grooming

Sunday

8:00 am - 1:00 pmCheck-In & Shop with NORDJÖRK
8:00 am - 10:00 amComplimentary Backroads Coffee
5:00 pmTrails Closed for Grooming

Fundraising Happy Hour!

The Hub – Gantz Great Room

Join us for drinks and appetizers during Turkey Birkie and hear from ABSF Executive Director Ben Popp about Mt. Telemark Village projects and the season ahead on Friday at 4:15 PM!  

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Presentation & Book Signing

Jerome Poling, author of American Birkebeiner: The Nation’s Greatest Ski Marathon, will host a 30-minute talk followed by a Q&A and book signing on Saturday. Copies will be available for purchase at the Birkie Store after the session. Come brush up on your Birkie history!

Course Information

For the most up to date information, check the Birkie Trail Grooming & Trail Conditions report, or check the Birkie Trail Cams.

Course information will be available as we get closer to the event. Snow conditions and available skiing is dependent on weather, snow making capabilities, and other factors. The Birkie Team will strive to have as much skiing available as the weather permits!

You’ll be skiing the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail at Mt Telemark Village.  Depending on Mother Nature, there could be a lot or a little to ski on – additional trails will be groomed as conditions allow.

Untapped birkie 2026 website graphic
Untapped

The Official Fuel and Hydration of The Birkie

UnTapped all natural gels, waffles, and hydration formulas provide athletes with sustained energy that is easily digestible, tastes great, and is free from the artificial flavors found in many popular energy products.

CXC Ski Lessons

Come ski the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail this early season! CXC instructors offer lessons for all levels – whether you’re just starting out, a returning skier, or preparing for racing. Enjoy well-groomed trails, quality coaching, and reliable early-season snow in the Midwest.

Levels offered:

  • Learn to Ski
  • Beginner: Improve basic technique
  • Intermediate/Advanced: Refine Skills
  • Youth Lessons

Facilities

All lessons are based out of the Hub at Mt. Telemark Village. With machine made snow, phenomenal grooming, and trails for all ability levels, Mt. Telemark Village is an incredible classroom for your cross-country experience.

Cost

CXC offers ski lessons on the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail for all skill levels, including Learn to Ski, Beginner, and Intermediate/Advanced. 

The lesson package is $200 and includes CXC ski ties and a buff. Trail access is not included and requires either an All Access or 3-Day Trail Pass.

Ski Lessons Schedule

Registration for lessons includes ALL sessions listed below.

Friday: 1:30PM – 3:00PM (skate)

Saturday: 9:00AM – 10:30AM (classic) |  1:30PM – 3:00PM (skate)

Sunday: 9:00AM – 10:30AM (classic)

Advanced Lesson Opportunity! Technique Progressions with Bryan Fish, U.S. Ski Team

For Advanced Skiers Only

Cost: $300

Saturday: 1:00pm – 3:00pm: Skate Technique and Progressions, Q&A

Sunday: 8:30am – 10:30pm: Classic Technique and Progressions, Q&A

Bryan Fish is the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Development Director and formerly the U.S. Ski Team Development Coach. Bryan began his coaching career in 1999 at his alma mater University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB). He coached part time for UWGB and was a full time engineer (Production Leader) for ENCAP, LLC. Bryan became the Central Cross Country (CXC) Elite Team Head Coach from 2006 to 2010.

In his role, Bryan oversees the overall sport- specific development pathway including junior development projects, domestic competition calendar, Cross Country Sport Education and domestic and development governance.

Bryan believes in the importance of empowering and educating American development athletes as well as providing them the infrastructure, opportunities, and support to allow them to pursue their athletic dreams. A primary pursuit of Bryan’s is to strengthen the USA Cross Country development system through fostering collaboration with member clubs, regions and key XC ski partners.

Bryan lives in Park City, UT and enjoys returning to his cabin in Northern Wisconsin where he grew up. He enjoys outdoor activities including mountain biking, trail running, kayaking and skiing.

Questions? Email yuriy.gusev@cxcskiing.org

All proceeds from Ski Lessons are donated to the CXC Excellence Fund

The CXC Excellence Fund covers 50% of the trip costs for qualified Central Region athletes competing at the Junior and U23 World Championships, with the National Nordic Foundation (NNF) supporting the remaining 50%. In return, these athletes give back by contributing their time at the CXC Regional Elite Camp, Dream Camp, and Igor Camps, serving as athletes, coaches, and mentors for the next generation.

Registration link: https://cxcskiing.wufoo.com/forms/m1743db71jn59is/

North Woods Getaway

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at Mt. Telemark Village, located about 17 miles north of Hayward, WI, the “Gateway to the Historic Northwoods” in the town of Cable, 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

Nordjork

Supporting Sponsors

Finn Sisu
Atomic

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

Salomon
Untapped
Kwik Trip
Tamarack Health
Republic Services
Backroads Coffee
TIOA
Earth Rider Brewery
Maloja
Timber Ford
Borah
Rex Wax
Pioneer Midwest

Learn more about Birkie partnerships by contacting Jen DeYoung at Jen.DeYoung@birkie.com.