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- New in 2018! Two Ways to Ski the Birkie Trail
Which Type of Birkie Ski Pass Do You Need?
Did you know that the ABSF spends over $350,000 annually to maintain the nationally recognized and award-winning Birkie Trail system? The ABSF offers two pass options – a standard Birkie Trail Pass and an Early Season Snow Pass.
New in 2018, the ABSF is pleased to announce our first-ever man-made snow loop, which requires a unique Early Season Snow Pass.
We count on the revenue from both passes to make certain that the Birkie Trail system stays the No. 1 cross-country ski destination in the nation and to offset operational costs of snowmaking. Please make certain every skier in your family has the appropriate ski pass!
NEW IN 2018! While the standard “Birkie Trail Pass” is required to ski on the groomed Birkie Trail from December through March, the ABSF is pleased to announce early season skiing on our first-ever, man-made snow loop at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead near Cable, WI! A separate “Early Season Snow Pass” is required to ski on the man-made snow loop. Early Season Snow Passes are required until the greater Birkie Trail opens for the season. Whether you’re skiing for a day or the entire early season, passes are available for purchase online only. Revenue from the Early Season Snow Pass will help to offset the costs of snowmaking efforts and early trail & snow preparation at the venue.
The Early Season Snow loop will open on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead! As of today, there is approx. 1km of man-made snow, enhanced by natural snow, at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. The loop is growing daily as additional snow is made and added to the groomed course. The overall loop will be groomed and ready for skiing on Saturday, November 17! An Early Season Snow Pass is required to ski on the groomed loop. Your receipt is proof of purchase of your Early Season Snow Pass. Either keep it on your phone or print it and have a copy with you while skiing. We hope to see you in the north woods soon!
Buy an Early Season Snow Pass!
A Birkie Trail Pass is required for each person to ski on the 100+ kilometer Birkie Trail System from December 1 through March 31. Birkie Trail Ski Passes are available for purchase in early November each year.
Once the Trail is opened for the season, the Birkie Trail Pass gives you access to all groomed ski trails within the American Birkebeiner Trail System, including the Birkie Trail, the Birkie Classic Trail, connector loops at OO, Birkie Ridge, Hatchery Park, and all of the North End Trails. The ABSF makes a generous contribution to North End Ski Club for use of their trailhead to access the Birkie Trail. Night skiing, under the lights, can be found at the OO Trailhead and Hatchery Park loops. The Birkie Trail Pass does not provide access to the early season man-made snow loop which requires a separate Early Season Snow Pass.
Daily pass pricing for ANY day (Birkie Trail OR Early Season):
| PASS TYPE | PRICE |
| Adult (ages 19+) | $10 |
| Family (2 adults and children ages 13-18 with same address) | $25 |
| Youth (Ages 13 - 18) | $5 |
| Team Bus | $75 |
| Kids (12 and under) | Free |
Season pass pricing:
| PASS TYPE | Birkie Trail Pass ONLY(valid once the greater Birkie Trail officially opens) | Early Season Snow Pass ONLY | Birkie Trail Pass AND Early Season Snow Pass |
| Adult (ages 19+) | $50 | $50 | $80 |
| Family (2 adults and children ages 13-18 with same address) | $125 | $125 | $200 |
| Youth (Ages 13 - 18) | $25 | $25 | $40 |
| Kids (12 and under) | Free | Free | Free |
Annual and Daily passes can be purchased online.
Buy a Birkie Trail Pass!
Annual passes can also be purchased in-person at the following locations ONLY (Early Season passes available online only):
All annual passes will be mailed within 10 days of purchase. Your purchase receipt will act as your pass in the meantime. Please have your annual pass displayed visibly on you at all times while skiing. Annual passes are personalized with each skier’s name and include a carabiner, or you can upgrade to an armband for $5, as an option for wearing while skiing.
Birkie Trail Daily passes are available for purchase at the following locations (Early Season passes available online only):
At the trail heads look for the large yellow deposit tubes and wooden stands for the envelopes. Season ski passes should be purchased at one of the locations above – they are not available to purchase at the trailheads.
Birkie Trail Ski Pass Proceeds Fund the Following Trail Maintenance & Projects
- Snow Grooming
- Equipment and maintenance
- Trail Mowing, Brushing & Removing of Downed Trees
- Replacing & Updating Signage and Gates
- Erosion Control
- Lighting of 5km of trails
- Parking lot plowing and upkeep
- Restrooms at the “OO” and Mosquito Brook Trailheads
By order of the Sawyer County Board of Directors, no person may use that portion of the American Birkebeiner Trail System in Sawyer County between December 1st and March 31st unless they have purchased a Trail Pass. Sawyer County grants to the named holder of a Trail Pass a revocable temporary license to access the Trail System. Funds collected by sellers of Trail Passes are remitted to the County, which provides funds to the ABSF to maintain the Trail System. Sellers of Trail Passes act only as the agent of the County in collecting Trail Pass fees.
Donations are welcome from other trail users including snow-shoers, mountain bikers, hikers, runners and Nordic walkers.
