Kortelopet

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.

• Wave Placement Information
• Wave Upgrade Request
• Event/Technique Change Request

Wave Seeding Tables

Kortelopet Skate Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Classic Wave Seeding Criteria

Event Adjustment Factors

Kortelopet Elite Waves

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 will be available May 1

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.

U20 Wave for Junior Racers

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.

Wave 70

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:

• Skiers are recognized at 10, 20 and 30 years for their Kortelopet accomplishments!
  • Skiløper – Ti (Pronounced “tee” means Ten )
    • Unique bib for 10-19 years
    • Kortelopet 10-year plaque
  • Skiløper -Tjue (Pronounced “tu-a” means Twenty)
    • Unique bib for 20-29 years
    • Kortelopet 20-year plaque
  • Skiløper – Tretti (Pronounced “tre-tee” means thirty)
    • Unique bib for 30+ years
    • Kortelopet 30-year plaque

Congratulations Skiløper – You’ve Earned it!

Kortelopet 20-Year and “Combi” Skiers Can Join the Birchleggings Club

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 20^th 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.

Click Here for 2026 Bib Pickup Information »

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.

Premium Parking

Opens Monday, Jan 12^th 

Premium parking includes 3 options:

• Kortelopet Start Venue Parking – formerly called “Park at the Start.” This option is available only for Friday, Feb 20at Kortelopet start. Parking is on the SCJFOC side of Hwy 00 and have pass displayed in window at all times, participants then walk over the bridge to the start venue. $250
• Birkebeiner Start Venue Parking – formerly called “Park at the Start.” This option is available only for Saturday, Feb 21 at the Birkebeiner start. Parking is in the airport lot. Participants then walk the pedestrian walk path to the start venue. Must access Mt. Telemark Village property from Cty Hwy M/Telemark Rd and have pass displayed in window at all times. $250
• Premium Coach to the Start – formerly called “Park at the Finish. ” This option is available only for the Saturday, Feb 21 Birkebeiner race. Park just past the finish line in downtown Hayward and ride a coach bus to the start of the Birkebeiner. Includes snacks and drinks, bathroom on board, leave your gear bag on the bus. $325

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..

Race Day Parking and Shuttles

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.

Race Schedule:  Friday, February 21

Aid Stations

Aid Stations and Cut-off times are still in the works for 2026! Stay tuned for further information and announcements.

Kortelopet Skate and Classic Overall Awards

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.

Finisher Recognition

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 Class Awards

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.

Skiloper Recognition

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

View Kortelopet Results »

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.

Worldloppet Ambassadors

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.

Worldloppet Passports

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.

Worldloppet Breakfast

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.