Join the rich Northwoods tradition of North America’s largest and finest cross-country ski race, the Slumberland American Birkebeiner. For the 51st year in a row, skiers will race 53km classic and 50km skate on the storied Birkie trail from Cable to Hayward, WI, 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

2025 Slumberland American Birkebeiner Registration is Open and Filling Up Quickly!

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

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 to Know!

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.

2025 Birkie Gear Bag Information »

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

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 Information
• Additional Birkie Wave Seeding Tables
• Event Adjustment Factors
• Wave Upgrade Request
• Event/Technique Change Request

Wave Seeding Tables

2025 American Birkebeiner Skate

Birkie Skate	2023 Finish Time	2023 PBE	2022 Finish Time	2022 PBE	2020 Finish Time	2020 PBE
Wave 1	Up to 3:00:18	Up to 43.5%	Up to 3:01:33	Up to 42.5%	Up to 2:41:17	Up to 35.5%
Wave 2	3:00:19 to 3:12:52	43.5% to 53.5%	3:01:34 to 3:19:23	42.5% to 56.5%	2:41:18 to 2:54:23	35.5% to 46.5%
Wave 3	3:12:53 to 3:26:42	53.5% to 64.5%	3:19:24 to 3:35:57	56.5% to 69.5%	2:54:24 to 3:07:28	46.5% to 57.5%
Wave 4	3:26:43 to 3:41:46	64.5% to 76.5%	3:35:58 to 3:53:47	69.5% to 83.5%	3:07:29 to 3:22:57	57.5% to 70.5%
Wave 5	3:41:47 to 3:58:06	76.5% to 89.5%	3:53:48 to 4:11:37	83.5% to 97.5%	3:22:58 to 3:34:51	70.5% to 80.5%
Wave 6	3:58:07 to 4:20:43	89.5% to 107.5%	4:11:38 to 4:29:27	97.5% to 111.5%	3:34:52 to 3:52:43	80.5% to 95.5%
Wave 7	4:20:44 to 4:49:37	107.5% to 130.5%	4:29:28 to 4:53:39	111.5% to 130.5%	3:52:44 to 4:22:28	95.5% to 120.5%
Wave 8	4:49:38 to 5:39:53	130.5% to 170.5%	4:53:40 to 5:44:37	130.5% to 170.5%	4:22:29 to 5:21:59	120.5% to 170.5%
Wave 9*	5:39:54 and Up	170.5% and Up	5:44:38 and Up	170.5% and Up	5:22:00 and Up	170.5% and Up
*Wave 9	PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 or 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 10	NEW PARTICIPANTS

2025 American Birkebeiner Classic

Birkie Classic	2023 Finish Time	2023 PBE	2022 Finish Time	2022 PBE	2020 Finish Time	2020 PBE
Wave 1	Up to 4:08:45	Up to 44.5%	Up to 4:17:04	Up to 49.5%	Up to 3:46:46	Up to 54.5%
Wave 2	4:08:46 to 4:56:58	44.5% to 72.5%	4:17:05 to 4:58:20	49.5% to 73.5%	3:46:47 to 4:21:59	54.5% to 78.5%
Wave 3	4:56:59 to 5:45:10	72.5% to 100.5%	4:58:21 to 6:01:57	73.5% to 110.5%	4:22:00 to 5:01:37	78.5% to 105.5%
Wave 4	5:45:11 to 6:54:01	100.5% to 140.5%	6:01:58 to 8:02:19	110.5% to 180.5%	5:01:38 to 5:50:03	105.5% to 138.5%
Wave 5*	6:54:02 and Up	140.5% and Up	8:02:20 and Up	180.5% and Up	5:50:04 and Up	138.5% 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 6	NEW PARTICIPANTS

Event Adjustment Factors

Event You are Registering For in 2025	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 2021 or 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

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.

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.

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

Click the image above for PDF map.

Interactive Course Maps

Click Here for 2025 Bib Pickup Information »

Pre-Race Bib Pickup:
Thursday, February 20 & Friday, February 21

Bib Number Email Confirmations will be sent out the week before Birkie Week

• Location: Birkie Expo, Hayward High School
• Times:
  • Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• You will pick up your bib and Birkie Gear Bag (if you ordered one) or plastic bag (unless you have a previous Birkie Gear Bag- thank you!).  You will not receive both types of bags.
• Expo Preview

Race Day Bib Pickup:
Saturday, February 22

• Location: Start Area
• Time: 7:00 am – 10:00 am
• There will be NO BIRKIE GEAR BAG PICKUP at the start.  Plastic bags will be given to all those picking up bibs at the start.
• If you ordered a Birkie Gear Bag and are unable to pick up your bag at the Birkie Expo, you can have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you (link to pay for shipping will be posted here on February 25th). Deadline to request 2025 Birkie Bag shipping is March 31, 2025. Bags will be mailed in April-May 2025. 

Check out great new skis, boots, poles, wax, gear, clothing, ways to fuel your active outdoor lifestyle, fat bikes, trail running shoes, and more! This is THE place for samples, swag, big discounts, and a chance to connect with some great organizations that support your passion for skiing and the Birkie community. 

Click Here for Birkie Expo Information »

Bus service runs continuously to the start from the Birkie Ridge and Cable parking lots for Saturday events.  Participants arriving from the south should park at Birkie Ridge (2 miles north of Seeley).  Buses will pick up skiers and spectators and shuttle directly to the start from 6:15 am – 10:30 am. On Saturday ONLY- Participants arriving from the North should follow the signs for parking at the Cable Lot just to the west of Cable.  Buses will run continuously from this lot from 6:15 am – 10:30 am. Please allow at least 1 ½ hours from parking to your start time.

There is no participant dropoff at the start without a permit. Participants may be dropped off at Birkie Ridge or the Cable lot.

**Parking at the start is by permit only.**
To learn about Premium Parking and purchase a Start Venue Pass or Valet Service to the Start Finish Venue pass go here.

Buses from the Finish in downtown Hayward will bring you back to both parking lots throughout the day on Saturday.

Please see the Event Guide for more instructions and map.

The race is run according to the rules and regulations of the FIS and any special requirements stated in the entry form, Birch Scroll, this web site, www.birkie.com and participant race instructions. Offenses against any of these rules may lead to disqualification for current or future events and the forfeiture of any and all awards.

All participants in the Birkebeiner must be 18 years of age by February 22, 2025. Kortelopet and Prince Haakon skiers must be 13 years of age by February 22, 2025. There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. Entry fees are non-transferable between individuals or to future races.

Skiers must ski the distance they have registered for- no participant in the American Birkebeiner can ski the Kortelopet or Prince Haakon without officially changing their race entry (see below for how to request an Event change).  Participants who complete a technique for which they are not registered (for example – ski the skate course when they registered for classic) will be credited for completing the race but will not be given a finish time, will not be eligible for awards, and will not be included in the official results.

ABSF Participant Rules

Birkie Wax Policy

Trash Penalty

A trash penalty is now in place for all Birkie events. Any participant, coach, or support crew caught throwing waste on the trail or into the woods between aid stations could be assessed a 15 minute penalty. There will be “Last Chance” garbage disposal areas as you leave each aid stations at all 2025 races. Violators should be reported by bib number via email at birkie@birkie.com or to a volunteer at the next aid station.  Read more in the Participant rules above.

Location	Aid Available	from Start (Skate)	from Start (Classic)	to Finish (Skate)	to Finish (Classic)	Cut-off Time
Start	Water	0	0	50K	55K	—
Timber Trail	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies	7K	6.2K	42.6K	46.1K	11:10 AM
Fire Tower	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies	11.5K	12.7K	38K	39.7K	12:00 PM
Boedecker	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies, Oranges	16.1K	18.1K	33.4K	34.2K	12:55 PM
OO	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies	20.6K	23.4K	28.9K	28.9K	1:40 PM
Gravel Pit	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies, Oranges	29.5K	32.3K	20K	20K	3:00 PM
Mosquito Brook	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies	35.4K	38.2K	14.1K	14.1K	3:55 PM
Fish Hatchery	Water, UnTapped Energy Gels & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies, Untapped Waffles	41.1K	44K	8.4K	8.4K	4:45 PM
Finish Line	Celebration Zone and Soup Tent!	50K	53K	0	0	6:00 PM

Cut-Off Times

Participants must complete their race by 6 pm. Cut-off times for races will be strictly followed for the safety of participants and volunteers.  Participants not following guidance from Medical Staff and Race Chiefs will risk penalty and possible ineligibility for future Birkie Events. Transportation will be provided from all cut-off points.

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

Place	Prize 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 Awards

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.”

View Birkie Results »

Click Here to Meet Our Sponsors

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!

Click to view more Worldloppet details

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.

Lodging & Transportation

For lodging information, see our Lodging page.

Camp Birkie Childcare

Find more information and registration details HERE!

Save the date:

2025: February 19-23

2026: February 18-22

2027: February 17-21