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The 43nd annual American Birkebeiner, the largest cross-country ski race in North America, will take place on February 20, 2016 in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. In addition to the legendary "Birkie" (54K classic and 50K freestyle), the Kortelopet (23K), the second largest ski race in North America, and Prince Haakon (13K) will be held on the same day.
Birkie weekend takes place annually in February in northern Wisconsin. The race began in 1973 when Tony Wise, founder of the Telemark Resort in Cable, drew on his Norwegian heritage and started a race named after the famous Birkebeinerrennet in Norway. The American Birkebeiner from Cable to Hayward has grown steadily in popularity and 10,000 skiers currently participate each year.
Registration opens early and fills quickly—at press time the limit of 10,000 skiers had been reached and registration for both the Birkebeiner and Kortelopet has closed. For more information including registration, wave placement, course information, and maps, visit www.birkie.com.
