Turkey Birkie | American Birkebeiner

Turkey Birkie
Registration
Location
Schedule & Course
Ski Lessons
Lodging
Sponsors

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival is the perfect opportunity to glide on early snow, take a lesson, and simply enjoy a day on skis in the great north woods!

Start the 2023-24 ski season with time on skis! Take advantage of the holiday weekend to spend time with family and friends in an active way. Whether you are a beginner or you live for the ski season, Turkey Birkie is a great time for your first ski of the year! Meet new friends and old in the Derksen Great Hall and head out to the machine made, or Mother Nature made, loops at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. There will be terrain for every level! Additionally, with the leading ski manufacturers in attendance giving you the first opportunity to try new gear, it is a great chance to kick off the XC ski season with a bang!

See friends, train hard, and have fun!

Registration

All Attending Must Register (even if you have an All-Access pass)

Cost: $35 or FREE if you have a Birkie Trail All-Access Ski pass.

Everyone attending will get a cool Turkey Birkie neck gaiter. It will become your entry pass and help keep you warm!

Children 12 & under are free, but must still register.

Location

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. 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 at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

Check-in at the Derksen Great Hall 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!

Schedule & Course

Schedule: Friday, November 24 through Sunday, November 26

Check-in Times and Derksen Family Great Hall Hours – EVERYONE must check-in

Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 1:00pm

Venue Schedule (when the trails are open for skiing!)

Friday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 5:00pm

*note: if you are planning to ski beyond the Great Hall hours listed above, you must remove any personal items from the Derksen Great Hall before closing time.

Tentative Demo Schedule

Ski industry manufacturers will be on-site offering demos:
Friday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 3:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am – 12:00pm

CXC Academy Ski Lessons – Tentative Schedule (see more information below)

Friday: 1:30pm – 3:00pm (skate)
Saturday: 9:00am – 10:30am (classic) | 1:30pm – 3:00pm (skate)
Sunday: 9:00am – 10:30am (classic)

Course Information

You’ll be skiing the machine-made snow loops at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Depending on Mother Nature, there could be a lot or a little to ski on.
Check the Birkie Trail Grooming & Trail Conditions report, or check the Birkie Trail Cams.

Ski Lessons

CXC Academy Ski Lessons

Learn from the CXC pro’s! From beginner to advanced lessons, CXC’s highly skilled instructors are excited to take your abilities to the next level. Whether you are a competitive Master’s racer, a first-time skier, or somewhere in between, come & enjoy the Birkie Start Trail, professional CXC Academy coaching, exceptional grooming and the best early-season snow in the Midwest.

Levels:

Learn to Ski
Beginner: Know how to ski but want to improve your technique
Intermediate/Advanced Technique Lessons: Fine-tune your technique
Youth

Our Coaches

CXC has recruited some of the most experienced coaches and instructors in the area. All are truly dedicated to seeing you achieve your personal best.

Facilities

All lessons are based out of the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. With machine made snow, phenomenal grooming, and trails for all ability levels, the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is an incredible classroom for your amazing cross-country experience.

Cost

CXC Academy is hosting and providing ski lessons for skiers of all ages and abilities. Ski lessons are available in three categories: Learn to Ski, Beginner, and Intermediate/Advanced for $200 (Includes complimentary CXC Academy membership, CXC ski ties and buff; must still purchase $35 festival pass or All Access Trail pass). For your convenience, you can register for lessons on the same form as you use for Turkey Birkie event registration, although CXC is providing the lessons (not the Birkie). Register here. Continue through registration to CXC ski lesson registration.

CXC Academy 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)

Questions? Email yuriy.gusev@cxcskiing.org

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

CXC Excellence Fund covers 50% of the trip cost for the qualified athletes from the Central Region to the Junior and U23 World Championships, and National Nordic Foundation (NNF) supports the remaining 50%. In return, supported athletes offer their time to assist the CXC Regional Elite Camp, Dream Camp, and Igor Camps as athletes, coaches, and mentors for our next generation of athletes. Last winter CXC provided three $1,700 stipends to athletes who competed at the U23 World Championships in Lygna, Norway.

Lodging

North Woods Getaway

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, 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.