Organizers Gear Up for Birkebeiner Weekend

Weather is Becoming a Concern for the 44th Annual Nordic Ski Race

HAYWARD, Wis. – The countdown is on!  The 44th annual American Birkebeiner is only 12 days away.

Organizers are hard at work gearing up for North America’s largest nordic ski race.  But weather is a concern.

The trails are in great shape, for now but with temperatures above freezing and rain in the forecast, officials are worried this year’s Birkie may not have one the race’s signature moments.

“We’ll do everything we can to make sure this race finishes in downtown, but if we can’t, if Mother Nature says no, not this year, then we’ll do everything we can to put on a great event with whatever we have,” said Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation.

There are also a number of changes to the Birkebeiner weekend schedule, including moving the Kortelopet junior race to Saturday.