Trail Maps & Conditions

Slumberland American Birkebeiner
Presented by Ariens

Saturday, February 22, 2025
53k Classic Race / 50k Skate Race
Cable to Hayward, WI, USA

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Slumberland Furniture Logo
AriensCo logo
Slumberland Furniture logo

Join the rich Northwoods tradition of North America’s largest and finest cross-country ski race, the Slumberland American Birkebeiner. Since 1973, skiers have raced along the American Birkebeiner trail, becoming part of legend. Skiers who have completed 20 or more American Birkebeiners recieve the prestigious Birchlegging Status. See you on the start line! #Birkie2025

The 2025 Slumberland American Birkebeiner®:

Complimentary race entry with a purchase of $1499 or more at Slumberland Furniture - Click for complete details
  • Spans 50 kilometers from Cable to Hayward for skate skiers, and 53K for classic skiers
  • Is North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon
  • Is proudly part of the Worldloppet circuit of over 20 international ski marathons
  • Includes skiers from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 25 countries!

2025 Slumberland American Birkebeiner Registration is Filling Fast!

Register Now
2025 Registration FAQs
May 1 through June 27June 28 through September 5September 6 through October 31November 1 or until full
Registration Fee$200$215$230$240

Birkie Skate Waves

Birkie Classic Waves

Closed Birkie Skate Waves

Skate Wave 1: Closed May 14, 2024
Skate Wave 2: Closed May 28, 2024
Skate Wave 3: Closed June 3, 2024
Skate Wave 4: Closed June 21, 2024
Skate Wave 5: Closed August 9, 2024
Skate Wave 6: Closed September 20, 2024

Closed Birkie Classic Waves

Classic Wave 1: Closed May 15, 2024
Classic Wave 2: Closed May 21, 2024
Classic Wave 3: Closed July 2, 2024
Classic Wave 4: Closed September 20, 2024

Wave placement is automatically based on 2020, 2022, & 2023 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.

Registration Details

  • All participants must be 18 years of age or older on race day to register for the American Birkebeiner.
  • Please register under the same name every year (exact spelling) in order to keep track of your previous race finishes.  If you are unsure of the name you registered under previously, please email registration@birkie.com or call the Birkie office at 715-634-5025.
  • To update personal info (email, address, etc) for this event at any time:
    • Login to your RunSignUp profile.
    • Scroll down to your event and click “Manage Registration”
    • Click on “Participant Info” (along either top or bottom menu)
  • Registration closing dates are determined by participant numbers/capacity and are not on a set, predetermined date.  Event closings are announced to email subscribers, via social media posts, and on the website. There is not a waitlist for registration once the event fills to capacity and closes.

Registration Insurance

Protect your registration! Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Fanshield offers Registration Cancellation Insurance so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case of injury, illness, or other unexpected events. Fanshield Insurance can only be purchased during the initial registration transaction, and it cannot be added to an event registration after the transaction has been completed. 

2025 Birkie Gear Bag

Order Your 2025 Birkie Gear Bag

Birkie Gear Bags are a part of race day that will last years into the future. Don’t miss the special offer on the 2025 Birkie Gear Bag »

Charity Partners & Scholarships

Team Fox for Parkinson’s Research

Team Fox for Parkinson's Research

Team Fox is the grassroots community fundraising program for The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF), the official charity partner of this year’s American Birkebeiner. Learn how you can join the team and raise funds for Parkinson’s Research.

Schwartz Miller Scholarship Endowment

Andy Schwartz

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 »

Request Event/Technique Change

Wave Placement Information

Additional Birkie Wave Seeding Tables

Event Adjustment Factors

Wave Upgrade Request

Wave Seeding Tables

2025 American Birkebeiner Skate

Birkie Skate 2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 3:00:18Up to 43.5%Up to 3:01:33Up to 42.5%Up to 2:41:17Up to 35.5%
Wave 23:00:19 to 3:12:5243.5% to 53.5%3:01:34 to 3:19:2342.5% to 56.5%2:41:18 to 2:54:2335.5% to 46.5%
Wave 33:12:53 to 3:26:4253.5% to 64.5%3:19:24 to 3:35:5756.5% to 69.5%2:54:24 to 3:07:2846.5% to 57.5%
Wave 43:26:43 to 3:41:4664.5% to 76.5%3:35:58 to 3:53:4769.5% to 83.5%3:07:29 to 3:22:5757.5% to 70.5%
Wave 53:41:47 to 3:58:0676.5% to 89.5%3:53:48 to 4:11:3783.5% to 97.5%3:22:58 to 3:34:5170.5% to 80.5%
Wave 63:58:07 to 4:20:4389.5% to 107.5%4:11:38 to 4:29:2797.5% to 111.5%3:34:52 to 3:52:4380.5% to 95.5%
Wave 74:20:44 to 4:49:37107.5% to 130.5%4:29:28 to 4:53:39111.5% to 130.5%3:52:44 to 4:22:2895.5% to 120.5%
Wave 8
4:49:38 to 5:39:53130.5% to 170.5%4:53:40 to 5:44:37130.5% to 170.5%4:22:29 to 5:21:59120.5% to 170.5%
Wave 9*
5:39:54 and Up170.5% and Up5:44:38 and Up170.5% and Up5:22:00 and Up170.5% and Up
*Wave 9PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS
FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 or 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 10NEW PARTICIPANTS

2025 American Birkebeiner Classic

Birkie Classic2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 4:08:45
Up to 44.5%
Up to 4:17:04Up to 49.5%Up to 3:46:46

Up to 54.5%
Wave 24:08:46 to 4:56:58
44.5% to 72.5%4:17:05 to 4:58:2049.5% to 73.5%3:46:47 to 4:21:5954.5% to 78.5%
Wave 34:56:59 to 5:45:1072.5% to 100.5%4:58:21 to 6:01:5773.5% to 110.5%4:22:00 to 5:01:3778.5% to 105.5%
Wave 45:45:11 to 6:54:01100.5% to 140.5%6:01:58 to 8:02:19110.5% to 180.5%5:01:38 to 5:50:03105.5% to 138.5%
Wave 5*6:54:02 and Up140.5% and Up8:02:20 and Up180.5% and Up5:50:04 and Up138.5% and Up
*Wave 5

PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 or 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 6NEW PARTICIPANTS

Event Adjustment Factors

Event You are Registering For in 2025Using Previous Birkie Skate ResultUsing Previous Birkie Classic ResultUsing Previous Korte Skate ResultUsing Previous Korte Classic ResultUsing Previous Prince Haakon ResultUsing Any 2021 or 2024 Birkie/ Korte/ Prince Haakon Completion
Birkie Skate0+ 8 %+ 15 %+ 15 %Wave 9Wave 9
Birkie Classic– 8 %0+ 8%+ 8 %Wave 5Wave 5
Korte Skate– 15 %– 7 %00Wave 4Wave 4
Korte Classic– 15 %– 7 %00Wave 3Wave 3

Spirit of 35

This wave celebrates the spirit of the 35 intrepid skiers who finished the first Birkie in 1973. It is comprised of a small group of skiers who have completed the most Birkies and therefore have a special place in the race’s history. The current group of 2025 Spirit of 35 skiers have at least 45 American Birkebeiners completed, including Birkie Founder, Ernie St. Germain, who has finished all 50 American Birkebeiners!

Wave 70

Cross country skiing is a lifestyle sport that allows people to stay active and healthy into their later years. Each year the Birkie provides an opportunity to celebrate this for more than two hundred skiers over the age of seventy! We recognize these skiers with a special bib and special wave.

Birchleggers

Skiers who have competed in 20 or more American Birkebeiner races receive the designation of Birchlegger Skier. Birchleggers embody the spirit and endurance of this iconic skiing event and allow its legacy to be carried into the future. Birchleggers wear a distinctive purple and gold bib, awarded to skiers participating in their 20th and subsequent races. 30-year participants, Uberleggers, receive a black and purple bib as a mark of their enduring commitment. Learn more about Birchlegger skiers and the Birchleggings Club.

35 Endowment Forerunners

The Endowment Forerunners are 35 major donors who collectively gave nearly $1,000,000 to launch the Foundation for the Endowment of the American Birkebeiner, which provides a permanent source of funds for the American Birkebeiner organization. We recognize them permanently with their own specially numbered 35 white bibs.

Elite Wave

The Elite Wave is a long standing tradition at the American Birkebeiner. This wave accommodates competitors who have outstanding credentials from the previous year’s American Birkebeiner.  The top 200 male and 65 female finishers from the 2023 Birkie Skate race will automatically be assigned a starting position in the Elite Wave for the 2025 Birkie Skate race ONLY.  The top 100 male and 40 female finishers from the 2023 Birkie Classic race will automatically be assigned a starting position in the Elite Wave for the 2025 Birkie Classic race ONLY.  Athletes qualifying for the elite wave, but racing a different distance or technique in 2025, must request to be placed on the Elite Wave waitlist of that race here: Elite Waitlist Application

If you were in the Elite Wave in 2024 as an automatic qualifier based on 2023 results, you will automatically be in the Elite Wave in 2025. If you applied to the Elite Waitlist and were assigned to the Elite Wave in 2024, you will need to reapply to the Elite Waitlist for 2025.

Elite Wave registrations & Elite Waitlist requests close on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.

Positions in the Elite Waves are only guaranteed for returning skiers who meet the above finish place criteria. No exceptions. If you have an Elite Wave finish two or more years prior, top Kortelopet finish, or other outstanding cross country ski race results, you may request to be added to the Elite Wave Waitlist. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the Waitlist after January 26, 2025.

All American Birkebeiner 50K Skate Elite wave participants will be subject to equipment control. As per US Ski and Snowboard rules, all American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation events are fluoro free. Elite wave participants will be randomly checked to ensure a clean competition.

Seeded FIS Group

Competitors from all FIS member nations that meet the eligibility requirements will be included in the Seeded Group in the Birkie Skate Race. This group will start as part of the Men’s and Women’s Elite Birkie Skate Waves. Seeded athletes will be assigned designated starting positions at the front of the wave and the rest of the elite wave must stay behind the seeded group until the gun goes off.

There is no Seeded Group in the Birkie Classic Race.

Eligibility for the Seeded Group requires that the competitors be active FIS members with at least one FIS race result in the 365 days prior to February 7, 2025, with:

  • fewer than 200 points for women and 150 points for men in competitions with a distance of 30 km or greater
  • fewer than 150 points for women and 125 points for men in competitions with distance less than 30 km

Requests for Seeded Group entry must be sent to registration@birkie.com prior to February 7, 2025.

Team Captains Meeting

There will be a mandatory meeting for Seeded Group competitors prior to the race.
Athletes without team affiliation are encouraged to attend the meeting and will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Birkie Course Trailmap Thumbnail

A complete list of maps and trail conditions can be found on the Trails page.

Birkie Skate Course Elevation Profile
Birkie Classic Course Elevation Profile

Click the image above for PDF map.

Interactive Course Maps

Unable to ski the Birkie? Want to relive your race day? Experience the Birkebeiner virtually! Maps, 360 degree videos, and live stats enhance every leg of the race with skate or classic options.

Register for the Slumberland American Birkebeiner and make it real! Because…once the race is closed…it’s closed. Don’t miss out!

View Interactive Course Map »

Or, Tour the Interactive Birkie Trail Map »

Trail Genius Screenshot

Race Schedule: Saturday, February 22

WaveStart Time
Spirit of 358:15 AM
Women Elite Skate8:30 AM
Men & Women Elite Classic8:35 AM
Wave 1 Classic8:40 AM
Men Elite Skate8:50 AM
Wave 1 Skate8:55 AM
Wave 2 Classic9:00 AM
Wave 2 Skate9:05 AM
Wave 70 Skate & Classic9:10 AM
Wave 3 Classic9:15 AM
Wave 3 Skate9:20 AM
Wave 4 Classic9:25 AM
Wave 4 Skate9:30 AM
Wave 5 Classic9:35 AM
Wave 5 Skate9:40 AM
Wave 6 Classic9:45 AM
Wave 6 Skate9:50 AM
Wave 7 Skate9:55 AM
Wave 8 Skate10:00 AM
Wave 9 Skate10:05 AM
Wave 10 Skate10:10 AM

Birkie Skate Overall Prize

Prize money will be awarded to the first six male and female competitors who cross the finish in the American Birkebeiner Skate Race. A total purse of $39,000 will be awarded in the increments below at an award ceremony in the Celebration Plaza.  All prize money is paid in US Dollars. Wire transfer is available for an $80 fee. Wire Transfer Form-Prize Money

PlacePrize Money (US $)
1st$7,500
2nd$4,500
3rd$3,000
4th$2,000
5th$1,500
6th$1,000

Tony Wise Award for the First American Finisher

A $2500 Tony Wise Award will be given to the top American male & female finishers in the American Birkebeiner Skate Race.  Wire transfer is available for an $80 fee. Wire Transfer Form-Prize Money

In addition, the first U.S. finishers will receive a premium, luxury mattress set from Slumberland, title sponsor of the American Birkebeiner.

Sprint Bonus Presented by Madshus

Two Madshus Sprint Bonus awards will be given to the first male and female competitors in the Birkie Skate Race to cross the intermediate sprint lines.  The first sprint line is located right before the Birkie Skate course exits the powerline section and enters the woods at approximately 2.5K into the race.  The second sprint line is located prior to the OO Aid Station at 20K into the race. All prize money is paid in US Dollars. Wire transfer is available for an $80 fee. Wire Transfer Form-Prize Money

Wave Winner AwardsSlumberland is proud to offer all wave winners a tempur-pedic pillow!

From Slumberland, Title Sponsor of the American Birkebeiner:
Win Your Birkie Wave—Win a Tempur-Pedic Pillow! The top male and female in waves 1 and up of the Birkie Skate and Classic will each receive a premium Tempur-Pedic Pillow from Slumberland, valued at $149!

* To Claim Your Award, check Birkie Results online then go directly to the Slumberland Furniture store on Highway 63 right in downtown Hayward to pick up your pair of premium pillows.  It’s close enough to walk from Main Street, or there is plenty of parking. Store Hours: SAT: 10-6 / SUN: 11-5. Unable to pick up your pillows? Have them shipped, at your expense, by March 31, 2024. Call the Birkie for details (715-634-5025).

Birkie Classic Overall Awards

Prize money will be awarded to the first three male and female competitors who cross the finish in the Birkie Classic Race at a ceremony held in the Celebration Plaza at 12:30 pm.

  • 1st Place $1000
  • 2nd Place $500
  • 3rd Place $250

All prize money paid in US Dollars. Wire transfer is available for $80 fee. Wire Transfer Form-Prize Money

Finisher Awards

First time American Birkebeiner Finishers will receive a commemorative medal at the finish.
Skiers finishing subsequent Birkies will receive a pin recognizing the number of American Birkebeiners completed at the finish.

Age Class Awards

Awards are based on net finish time (finish arrival time minus start time). Age classes are: 18-24, 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 not be given to the top three males and females of each age class in both classic and freestyle races.

10 Year Awards

We celebrate participants that have completed 10 American Birkebeiners! Finishers of their 10th race will be awarded a personalized commemorative plaque.  Plaques can be picked up at the Awards tent on Saturday or Sunday after the conclusion of the race.

Birchlegger Awards

Birkie skiers completing their 20th race become a “Birchlegger”. Birchlegger is the English translation for the Norwegian, Birkebeinerne, the nick-name of the birch bark armored warriors who saved Prince Haakon. These special skiers are recognized with the honor of wearing a special bib in the race and a personalized award for 20, 30, and 40 years completed!


Birchleggers will receive their awards at a special breakfast hosted by the Birchleggings Club on Sunday morning following the Birkie. First time Birchleggers will be treated to breakfast at no charge.

If you cannot attend the Birchleggings Club Breakfast to receive your award, they will be available at the Birkie Store Tent near the finish line on Main Street.

The Birchleggings Club is not a part of the American Birkebeiner Foundation. It is a separate organization dedicated to be “a strong promoter of continued participation in the American Birkebeiner and would contribute toward enhancement of the rich traditions that mark the Birkie as a unique skiing event.”

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 one of the nine races that comprise the founding events.  The Worldloppet has grown to over 20 races on five continents. Learn more about Worldloppet Ambassadors, Passports, and the annual Birkie Week Worldloppet breakfast!

 

Ski Classics

The Slumberland American Birkebeiner is the first American event to enter the world of Ski Classics as a Challenger Series event. Based in Sweden, the Ski Classics is an international, long-distance, skiing circuit. The Ski Classics Challenger series was launched in 2019 as a common platform to connect and promote long distance skiing events worldwide.

 

Save the date:

2025: February 19-23

2026: February 18-22

2027: February 17-21

Earn Your Purple Bib

Skiers who complete 20 or more American Birkebeiners earn presitigious Birchlegging status and don distinctive purple bibs. Learn more about becoming a Birchlegger here.