American Birkebeiner

It is Birkie week! Even tough the weather is not the best for this year, the American Birkebeiner is taking place. Different as we are used to, but it is taking place. And the atmosphere is the same like in the other years.

Thousands of skiers have traveled “up north” to Hayward Wisconsin, to be part of the 50th anniversary American Birkebeiner. With very mild temperatures over the past weeks, the organizers had to come up with an alternative plan. This alternative is a 10 km loop on artificial snow where all the races, from short to the long original race are taking place.

The race program had to be adapted: More race days were added and the starting field is split up into more waves. Check the detailed program with all starting times here:

Watch the American Birkebeiner 2024 live

The Worldloppet Program at the Birkie 2024

For Worldloppet skiers the Birkie is a special race. The local people, the volunteers and the organizers are very welcoming towards international skiers, specially those skiing around the world with Worldloppet.

Tomorrow (Friday) morning 07:30 there is the traditional Worldloppet Breakfast taking place at the Flat Creek Inn & Suites, Hwy. 27 South, Hayward. Everyone is invited. A great American breakfast is served by local Worldloppet skiers, officials from the Birkie are there for a meet and greet and new Masters will be awarded.

In the Birkie office in the center of Hayward, skiers with a Passport can find the Worldloppet Desk & Passport Stamping. The employees there are ready to stamp. Additionally there is a Worldloppet booth at the Expo, where information about the federation and its races can be found.