Trail Maps & Conditions

Kortelopet

Friday, February 21, 2025
Classic 29K Race / Skate 29K Race
Hayward, WI, USA

Salomon Logo
Salomon logo

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 19, 2025. See you on the start line! #Birkie2025

Complimentary race entry with a purchase of $1499 or more at Slumberland Furniture - Click for complete details

2025 Kortelopet Registration is Open!

Register Now
2025 Registration FAQs
May 1 through June 27June 28 through September 5September 6 through October 31November 1 or until full
Kortelopet Registration Fee $200$215$230$240
U20 Kortelopet
(born after 2/21/2006)		$135$140$145$150

Korte Skate Waves

Korte Classic Waves

Closed Korte Classic Waves

Classic Wave 1: Closed December 6

Registration Details

  • All participants must be 13 years of age or older on race day to register for the Kortelopet.
  • 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.
  • 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 »

Scholarships

Entry Scholarship for Wisconsin Student Athletes

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!

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 »

Wave Seeding Tables

Kortelopet Skate Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Skate2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 2:04:34Up to 65.5%Up to 2:07:36Up to 60.5%Up to 2:01:36Up to 58.5%
Wave 22:04:35 to 2:23:2365.5% to 90.5%2:07:37 to 2:29:5160.5% to 88.5%2:01:37 to 2:16:5658.5% to 78.5%
Wave 32:23:24 to 2:42:1290.5% to 115.5%2:29:52 to 3:19:0988.5% to 150.5%2:16:57 to 2:46:0578.5% to 116.5%
Wave 4*2:42:13 and Up115.5% and Up3:19:10 and Up150.5% and Up2:46:06 and Up116.5% and Up
*Wave 4PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 or 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 5NEW PARTICIPANTS

Korte Classic Wave Seeding Criteria

Korte Classic2023 Finish Time2023 PBE2022 Finish Time2022 PBE2020 Finish Time2020 PBE
Wave 1Up to 2:30:56Up to 80.5%Up to 3:04:14Up to 95.5%Up To 2:38:00
Up to 94.5%
Wave 22:30:57 to 3:12:4480.5% to 130.5%3:04:15 to 3:46:3895.5% to 140.5%2:38:01 to 3:13:4494.5% to 138.5%
Wave 3*3:12:45 and Up 130.5% and Up3:46:39 and Up140.5% and Up3:13:45 and Up138.5% and Up
*Wave 3PLUS PRIOR PARTICIPANTS WITH NO RESULTS FROM LAST 3 YEARS, OR ONLY 2021 or 2024 RESULTS OR OPEN TRACK RESULTS
Wave 4 NEW 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

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 2023 Kortelopet SKATE only; Kortelopet Classic Elite Wave is top 40 men and 30 women from the 2023 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 14, 2025.  Elite Wave qualifiers that skied a different technique or did not participate in the 2023 Kortelopet will not be placed in the elite wave, but may request to be put on the Elite Waitlist. Anyone skiing in the 2023 elite wave due to an elite upgrade request will have to make the request again in 2024.  Athletes qualifying for the elite wave, but racing a different distance or technique in 2025, or elite athletes new to the Kortelopet 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 11:59 pm CST. Open positions in the Elite Wave will be filled from the waitlist after January 26, 2025.

U20 Wave for Junior Racers

If you are a skier born between February 21, 2005 and February 21, 2012 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!

Race Schedule:  Friday, February 21

Wave Start OrderStart Time
Elite Skate Men/U2010:15
Elite Skate Women/U2010:25
Elite Classic Men/Women/U2010:35
Wave 1 Classic10:40
Wave 1 Skate10:45
Wave 7010:50
Wave 2 Classic10:55
Wave 2 Skate11:00
Wave 3 Classic11:05
Wave 3 Skate11:10
Wave 4 Classic11:15
Wave 4 Skate11:20
Wave 5 Skate11:25

Korte Elevation Profile

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 class awards will be awarded to the top three males and females, in both the freestyle and classic races, in each of the following age classes. Awards are based on the participants net time (finish arrival time minus start time).

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.

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

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 2024 event.

Save the date for future Kortelopets!

February 18-22, 2026

February 17-21, 2027