50th Annual Birkebeiner To Ski Forward Despite Lack Of Snow

Officials may be forced to scale back, but they say Birkie week will not be canceled

HAYWARD, Wis. – The 2024 American Birkebeiner is expected to attract 14,000 to as many as 15,000 skiers for the race’s 50th anniversary.  Organizers say, the lack of snow isn’t going to ruin the fun.

“It’s non-negotiable. We will be doing something in Hayward during Birkie week,” said Blair Flickinger, marketing director for the race. “I would say we are cautiously optimistic,” Flickinger said about a full race happening.

As of Jan. 3, cold air has allowed snow machines to fire back up at the start of the race in Cable, Wisconsin, where looping trails exist for smaller races.

Officials say as long as the air stays cold, the race will go on — even if conditions won’t allow skiers to reach the traditional finish line in Hayward.

“We are a resilient group of people. Nordic skiers by nature are, you know, willing to go the extra mile to make things happen. And if that means we need to improvise and do things up with the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, we’re making plans to do that. We’re also hoping Mother Nature will come through with a few big storms late in the year. And we’ll see what we can do from there,” Flickinger said.

The Birkebeiner has only been canceled two times in its 50-year history. The most recent cancellation happened in 2017 when unprecedented rain and warm air created a mess.

This year’s Birkie week kicks off Feb. 21.