Barnebirkie Youth Ski Tour

Thursday, February 19, 2026
Non-Competitive Youth Ski Event
Main Street, Hayward, WI

The Barnebirkie is Where Birkie Dreams Begin!

Open to skiers between the ages 3 and 13, this non-competitive ski events gets kids excited to be outside, on skis, and having fun. Kids choose the distance that they are ready to ski: a 1/2 km, 1km, or 3km course, all ending on Main Street in Hayward, WI, at the iconic finish line of the American Birkebeiner. #Birkie2026

This event is non-competitive. Youth skiers looking to compete can race in the Junior Birkie on the same day at 1pm.

Barnebirkie Wave/Distance Options

The Barnebirkie will start behind the Intermediate and Primary Schools and finish on Main Street in the Celebration Zone between 3rd and 4th Street in downtown Hayward, WI.

Wave	Start Time	Distance	Start Location	Recommend Age
Purple	11:30 am	500 m (0.3 miles)	Behind the Intermediate School	3 to 8; Beginner
Red	11:35 am	3 km (1.9 miles)	Behind the Intermediate School	8 to 13; Intermediate to Advanced
Green	11:40 am	1 km (0.6 miles)	Behind the Intermediate School	5 to 10; Intermediate to Advanced

Wave Assignment

Barne skiers registering for the 3 km tour will be in the Red Wave.

Barne skiers registering for the 1 km tour will be in the Green Wave.

Barne skiers registering for the 500 m tour will be in the Purple Wave.

Race Start – Behind the Intermediate and Primary Schools

Race Finish – American Birkebeiner Finish Line on Main Street!

Limited parking is found in downtown Hayward. Please help ease the traffic congestion by utilizing the designated spectator parking on Hwy B (noted in orange on the map below). Buses will run continuously from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from the Spectator Lot to the Registration Bus Stop, and from the Registration Bus Stop and the Celebration Zone Bus Stop to the Spectator Lot. Parking restrictions are in place on most of the downtown area streets.

9:30 to 11:30am – Intermediate School

Please enter through the D entrance at the Intermediate School! Participants will receive their bib and Barnebirkie hat. Jr. Gear bags that were purchased during registration will also be available for pick-up during the scheduled bib pick-up hours.

To avoid congestion, we recommend just one representative per family pick up bib(s).

Thank you!

Please note the following important information regarding the safety of the children and the integrity of the course:

Any adult accompanying Barne skiers on the course must be on skis. Otherwise, adults must stay off of the groomed ski course. Thank you!
Meet your little skier directly outside of the Finish Line. Volunteers will be on hand to reunite skiers and family members. Please stay out of the direct finish line – some skiers may come in fast!
NO PETS PLEASE.

*Please note that none of the Barnebirkie distances go over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge.

Please help ease the traffic congestion by utilizing the designated spectator parking on Hwy B. Buses will run continuously from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm from the Spectator Lot to the Registration Bus Stop, and from the Registration Bus Stop and the Celebration Zone Bus Stop to the Spectator Lot. Parking restrictions are in place on most of the downtown area streets.