The American Birkebeiner: The Continent’s Largest Ski Race Has Rebel and Royal Roots

Next week, tens of thousands of skiers and spectators will gather in Northwest Wisconsin’s towns, Cable and Hayward, for the American Birkebeiner ski events. The Birkie isn’t merely a race but a celebration of an event monumental to Norway’s history, dating back more than 800 years.

The American Birkebeiner’s Rebel and Royal Roots

The American Birkebeiner’s roots trace all the way back to 1206. Members of the rebel Birkebeiner Party traversed Norway’s mountains and forests in order to smuggle the 18-month-old Prince Haakon and Inga of Vartieg to safety during civil war times. These skiers saved the life of the future King Haakon Haakonsson IV, who changed the face of northern Europe during his reign.

Inspired by the original Birkebeiners’ bravery, the first Birkebeiner ski race was held in Norway in 1932. In the Worldloppet’s Norwegian Birkebeiner Rennet race, skiers even wear a weighted pack to symbolize the carrying of the royal toddler.

Tony Wise dreamed up The American Birkebeiner, a 50K ski race spanning streets and trails from Hayward to Cable, in 1973. Each year, two Birkebeiner skiers and Inga, in full costume, ski the America Birkebeiner course on traditional wooden skis and inspire racers and spectators along the way. The Birkebeiners carry a doll for most of the course. They pick up a real child (in homage to the prince) two blocks before the finish line. You can read more about the roots of the American Birkebeiner here.

We’ve Got Birkie Fever

Today, the American Birkebeiner is the largest ski race in North America and the third-largest ski race in the world! Over 40,000 skiers and spectators will gather in Hayward and Cable for the 2020 Slumberland American Birkebeiner next weekend for the events.

• The Skate 50K and Classic 55K will take over the streets and trails on Saturday, February 22, 2020. The Slumberland American Birkebeiner will begin at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead near Cable. Skiers will traverse the legendary Birkie Trail toward the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street.
• The Kortelopet, which includes Classic and Skate 29K events, will take place on Friday, February 21.
• The 15K Prince Haakon event will also take place on Friday, February 21.
• You can also get involved in the Barkie Birkie Skijor, Barnebirkie (a noncompetitive ski tour for youth ages 3 to 13), Junior Birkie (an individual and team sprint relay for youth ages 3 to high school), Birkie Giant Ski (imagine six pairs of legs in one pair of skis!), and the Birkie Adaptive Ski.

Skiers, whether elite or amateur, count on spectators to cheer them on as they set their sights on the finish line. Just when they think their energy is waning, spectators provide an exciting buzz that helps skiers transcend their fatigue and push toward the finish. So come to Northwest Wisconsin to watch, cheer, and ring cowbells for skiers! Whether a skier or spectator, this is an electric, inspiring event you will never forget. Visit birkie.com to learn more.

Bikers Have Birkie Fever, Too

Cyclists, on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, 2020, there will be Birkie event for you, too. The Fat Bike Birkie, presented by Freewheel Bike, is a snow bike event where riders test their grit and skills on the American Birkebeiner Ski Trail. Choose your favorite distance. There’s the Big Fat 47K, the Half Fat 21K, and the untimed Fun Fat 10K Tour. Big Fat 47K riders must be at least 18 years old on race day. Half Fat 21K and Fun Fat 10K riders must be at least 13 years old.

As course conditions can vary depending on the weather, there are no tire-size restrictions. You are free to choose your equipment based on race-day conditions. It is recommended that riders use a bike with tires at least 3.5 inches wide. E-bikes are not allowed in any of the events.

On March 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., courses will be open for pre-riding. Pick up your bibs, snag some gear, and test out some demo bikes at the expo and Birkie Store from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. On Saturday, the Big Fat 47K starts at 9 a.m. The Half Fat 21K starts at 9:15. And the Fun Fat 10K starts at 9:30. The expo, demos, and Birkie Store rage on all day, and a post-race party will go on from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The CAMBA Fundraiser after party at Sawmill Saloon (in Seely) will happen from 4 to 8 p.m.

For more information, check out birkie.com/bike/events/fat-bike-birkie/.