Friday, February 20, 2026
Classic 29K Race / Skate 29K Race
Hayward, WI, USA
The Kortelopet is the legendary counterpart to the American Birkebeiner. Each year, 3,000+ skiers complete 29km on the Birkie Trail from OO Trailhead to the finish line in downtown Hayward, WI. The Kortelopet, fondly known as the Korte, provides all the challenge and excitement of a shorter-distance race while not compromising on competition. For skiers looking for a more relaxed version of the legendary course, Kortelopet Open Track takes place on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. See you on the start line! #Birkie2026
| May 1 through June 26 | June 27 through September 11 | September 12 through October 23 | October 24 or until full | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kortelopet Registration Fee | $220 | $230 | $240 | $245 |
| U20 Kortelopet (born on or after 2/21/2006) | $135 | $145 | $155 | $160 |
Protect your registration! Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Protecht offers refund protection so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case of injury, illness, or other unexpected events. Protecht can be purchased during your initial registration or up to five days after registration is completed.
Birkie Gear Bags are a part of race day that will last years into the future. Don’t miss the special offer on the 2026 Birkie Gear Bag »
Middle school or high school students who are on a ski team in Wisconsin and have not previously skied a Kortelopet may be eligible for a free race entry provided by the Wisconsin Nordic Network. Contact your school team coach to apply. The Korte Scholarship is made possible by donations, contact WINN to donate and send a kid to the Korte!
The Schwartz Miller Scholarship Endowment will offer scholarships to high school seniors who are members of a ski team but for whom the entry fee is a challenge. An equal number of male and female entries will be granted for them to ski the Birkie or Korte. Initially, 20 scholarships will be given until the endowment grows to generate more scholarships. Learn More & Apply or Donate Here »
Wave placement is automatically based on 2022, 2023, & 2025 American Birkebeiner/Kortelopet results and is subject to wave availability at the time of registration. 2024 results are not eligible for consideration. If the wave you qualified for is closed, you will be placed in the highest wave that is still open. Wave upgrade requests are also subject to wave availability at the time of the request. Wave seeding tables update each year. Wave placement in a wave one year does not guarantee the same wave placement for 3 years.
| Korte Skate | 2025 Finish Time | 2025 PBE | 2023 Finish Time | 2023 PBE | 2022 Finish Time | 2022 PBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | Up to 2:00:51 | Up to 59.5% | Up to 2:04:34 | Up to 65.5% | Up to 2:11:34 | Up to 65.5% |
| Wave 2 | 2:00:52 to 2:18:16 | 59.5% to 82.5% | 2:04:35 to 2:19:37 | 65.5% to 85.5% | 2:11:35 to 2:27:28 | 65.5% to 85.5% |
| Wave 3 | 2:18:17 to 2:43:17 | 82.5% to 115.5% | 2:19:38 to 2:43:42 | 85.5% to 117.5% | 2:27:29 to 2:52:55 | 85.5% to 117.5% |
| Wave 4* | 2:43:18 and Up | 115.5% and Up | 2:43:43 and Up | 117.5% and Up | 2:52:56 and Up | 117.5% and Up |
| *Wave 4 | PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS | |||||
| Wave 5 | NEW PARTICIPANTS | |||||
| Korte Classic | 2025 Finish Time | 2025 PBE | 2023 Finish Time | 2023 PBE | 2022 Finish Time | 2022 PBE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | Up to 2:44:35 | Up to 106.5% | Up to 2:35:07 | Up to 85.5% | Up To 2:54:48 | Up to 85.5% |
| Wave 2 | 2:44:36 to 3:24:26 | 106.5% to 156.5% | 2:35:08 to 3:12:44 | 85.5% to 130.5% | 2:54:49 to 3:32:30 | 85.5% to 125.5% |
| Wave 3* | 3:24:27 and Up | 156.5% and Up | 3:12:45 and Up | 130.5% and Up | 3:32:31 and Up | 125.5% and Up |
| *Wave 3 | PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS | |||||
| Wave 4 | NEW PARTICIPANTS | |||||
| Event You are Registering For in 2026 | Using Previous Birkie Skate Result | Using Previous Birkie Classic Result | Using Previous Korte Skate Result | Using Previous Korte Classic Result | Using Previous Prince Haakon Result | Using Any 2024 Birkie/ Korte/ Prince Haakon Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birkie Skate | 0 | + 8 % | + 15 % | + 15 % | Wave 9 | Wave 9 |
| Birkie Classic | – 8 % | 0 | + 8% | + 8 % | Wave 5 | Wave 5 |
| Korte Skate | – 15 % | – 7 % | 0 | 0 | Wave 4 | Wave 4 |
| Korte Classic | – 15 % | – 7 % | 0 | 0 | Wave 3 | Wave 3 |
The Kortelopet Skate and Classic races each have an elite wave. The Kortelopet Skate Elite Wave is comprised of the top 100 men and 60 women from the 2025 Kortelopet SKATE only; Kortelopet Classic Elite Wave is top 40 men and 30 women from the 2025 Kortelopet CLASSIC only. Participants qualifying for a Korte Elite Wave will automatically be placed in the Elite Wave wave upon registering. Skiers qualifying for the Elite Wave may register for the race until January 13, 2026. Athletes qualifying for the elite wave, but racing a different distance or technique in 2026, or elite athletes new to the Kortelopet must request to be placed on the Elite Wave waitlist of that race here: Elite Waitlist Application You must be registered to apply.
Elite Wave registrations & Elite Waitlist requests close on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm CST. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the waitlist after January 23, 2025.
If you are a skier born between February 21, 2006 and February 20, 2013 you will be assigned to start the Kortelopet in the U20 Classic or U20 Skate Waves. If you are placed in the U20 and are a top skier, please see details in the “Kortelopet Elite Waves” section above for requesting placement in the Elite Wave.
The U20 wave is timed using a gun start– all U20 skiers will receive the same start time in their respective wave. Official time of U20 skiers that start late will still reflect the U20 gun time. If you are a junior skier and do not want to ski in the U20 wave contact registration@birkie.com and you will be placed in a wave based on the normal seeding process and your time will start when you cross the start line. U20 skiers not starting in the U20 wave will not be eligible for overall or age group awards.
Cross country skiing is a lifestyle sport that allows people to stay active and healthy into their later years. Each year the Kortelopet provides an opportunity to celebrate this for over one hundred skiers over the age of seventy! We recognize these skiers with a special bib and special wave.
Like Birkie skiers, Kortelopet skiers are a dedicated bunch! In honor of a Korte skier’s determination and dedication, there is a well-deserved recognition program! Skiløper, Norwegian for “skier” (pronounced “Shē-lōp-păh”), began in 2019 and recognizes Kortelopet skiers who reach the milestones of 10, 20, and 30-years. In addition to the current recognition which includes a Kortelopet 10-year plaque, Skiløper skiers receive a unique bib and deservedly a little swagger for earning it! Here’s how it works:
Congratulations Skiløper – You’ve Earned it!
The Birchleggings Club is thrilled to now offer our membership and extend a warm invitation to Kortelopet Tuje and Tretti Skiløpers—those who have completed the Kortelopet for the 20th or 30th time or more. In addition, we welcome “Combi” skiers whose combination of Korte and Birke finishes totals 20 or more!
Your Kortelopet registration status and bib assignments will continue as you have received up to the present, and you will now be able to join and participate in all Birchleggings Club events (including the annual awards breakfast), be recognized as a veteran skier, participate in our efforts to support the Birkie and the Birkie trail, and have a strong voice in the future of the American Birkebeiner. For information visit the Birchleggings Club web site at: www.birchleggings.com and their Facebook page.
If you ordered a Birkie Gear Bag and are unable to pick up your bag, you can have your 2026 Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you for $12. Deadline to claim your Birkie Bag is March 31, 2025. Bags will be mailed in April 2026.
Opens Monday, Jan 12th
Premium parking includes 3 options:
Passes are mailed to purchasers ahead of race week. Parking passes are not needed for Open Track events on Wednesday, February 18th. See the Open Track Events page for parking and shuttle information..
Participant and Spectator parking is available at Birkie Ridge on Hwy 63. Buses will shuttle to the Kortelopet and Prince Haakon starts on the below schedule. Buses will shuttle back to Birkie Ridge and to the Spectator Parking Lot in Hayward.
| Continuous Shuttle Service To & From | Continuous Shuttle Service To & From | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Birkie Ridge Parking Lot | Kortelopet Start | 8:00am – 12:30pm |
| Spectator Parking Lot | Celebration Zone Bus Stop | 9:30am – 5:30pm |
| Recovery Zone Bus Stop | Birkie Ridge Parking Lot | 12:30pm – 5:30pm |
| Recovery Zone Bus Stop | Kortelopet Start (Permit Holders ONLY) | 12:30pm – 5:30pm |
| Wave Start Order | Start Time |
|---|---|
| Elite Skate Men/U20 | 10:15 |
| Elite Skate Women/U20 | 10:25 |
| Elite Classic Men/Women/U20 | 10:35 |
| Wave 1 Classic | 10:40 |
| Wave 1 Skate | 10:45 |
| Wave 70 | 10:50 |
| Wave 2 Classic | 10:55 |
| Wave 2 Skate | 11:00 |
| Wave 3 Classic | 11:05 |
| Wave 3 Skate | 11:10 |
| Wave 4 Classic | 11:15 |
| Wave 4 Skate | 11:20 |
| Wave 5 Skate | 11:25 |
Aid Stations and Cut-off times are still in the works for 2026! Stay tuned for further information and announcements.
The top three male and female finishers across the line in both skate and classic will be recognized at the Kortelopet Award Ceremony in the Celebration Plaza in Hayward at 12:45 pm on Friday.
Skiers finishing their first Kortelopet will receive a medal at the Finish.
Skiers who have completed more than one Kortelopet will receive a pin indicating the number of Kortelopets they have finished.
Age classes are: 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85-89. Age class awards will be given to the top three males and females of each age class in both classic and freestyle races.
Kortelopet Skiers who finish their 10th, 20th, or 30th race will be rewarded with a personalized commemorative plaque.
Ti – 10 years
Tjue – 20 years
Tretti – 30 years
Worldloppet is an international association of long distance ski races, created in 1979 from the inspiration of American Birkebeiner creator, Tony Wise. The Birkie is among the nine races that comprised the founding events, which have grown to over 20 races on five continents.
There are many Birkie Skiers who have experience traveling to races around the globe. If you are interested in a particular race or just about the Worldloppet in general, we can connect you with someone who can share their experience with you and help to plan a trip. Click Here to submit an inquiry.
Tens of thousands of skiers around the world record their Worldloppet race finishes in a special Passport. Finishers of the Kortelopet Skate or Classic can have their passport stamped for Worldmaster Silver credit or purchase a new passport to start their Worldloppet adventure.
Worldloppet passports may be purchased on-line by clicking HERE. If you have completed an American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet race in the past, you can request that a stamped passport be mailed to you at any time. The cost of new passports are $35.
All are welcome to join Worldloppet Skiers, delegates from other Worldloppet Competitions, and honored guests at the Worldloppet Breakfast on Friday of Birkie Week. More information and registration details coming for the 2026 event.
