American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track
Wednesday, February 19, 2025

1-Day, 3-Events, Main Street Finish!

The Open Track provides a opportunity for skiers looking for a less competitive Birkebeiner experience while still enjoying our world-famous course. Because the event is limited to the first 1,500 people, Open Track skiers enjoy less crowding, more open trail, and an opportunity to ski with other registered friends and family. Choose your own start time and pace, and get excited for the beginning of Birkie Week 2025! #Birkie2025

2025 Open Track Registration is Filling Fast!

Registration Details to Know!

All skiers in the Open Track must be registered – the race course will be closed for all other skiing.

Bibs

There will be no wave assignments or wave starts in the Open Track events. You will have an assigned start window timeframe. All participants will wear the same color bib on race day. Bibs will designate which race you are in.
Special bibs, such as Birchlegger, Uberlegger, Korte Skiløper Ti, Tjue, and Tretti bibs will still be given.

2025 Birkie Gear Bag Information »

Completion Credit

Normal completion credit will be awarded for each Open Track event. However, if a skier chooses to register for both the Open Track event and the traditional Birkie, Korte, or Prince Haakon events later in the week, they will receive only 1 credit for that event. The maximum credit is 1-Birkie, 1-Korte, and/or 1-Prince Haakon event for Birkie week 2025. Skiers will not get credit for skiing two Birkies, two Kortes or two Prince Haakons, regardless of technique or day selected.

Worldloppet Credit

• Birkie distances are eligible for Gold Credit.
• Korte distances are eligible for Silver Credit.

Future Wave Placement

Please see the wave placement information page for specific wave placement details, process and charts.  If you do not have a timed race result to use, you will be placed based on the following chart:

Event Change Request

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 Open Track must be 18 years of age by February 19, 2025. Kortelopet and Prince Haakon Open Track skiers must be 13 years of age by February 19, 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 above 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

Experience the American Birkebeiner Skate (50K) and Classic (53K) races at a more relaxed pace.  All participants must be registered for the American Birkebeiner Open Track Event and must follow all participant rules.

Bib and Gear Bag Pick-up:

In the Celebration Tent on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, February 21 from 6:30-10:00 am.

Getting to the Start:

You have options!

1. Participants may bus from the Spectator Lot in the city of Hayward to the start line.  Buses will leave the Spectator Lot between 7:15-8:00 am on Wednesday.
2. Get dropped off at the Start!  A special bonus of the Open Track!
3. Park at the Start!  No parking pass needed for the Open Track on Wednesday! (Please note:  buses will NOT return to the start from the finish line.  Make sure you have a plan in place to get back to your car.)

Start Window:

8:00-9:00 am at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable.

Start your event at the appropriate time to ensure all volunteers are ready for you on course. Think you’ll ski the course in 2 hours? Don’t start the event until 9:00am! Are you aiming for a 8 1/2 hour event? Start by 8:30 am to ensure you can finish within the timing window.

Finish Window:

11:00 am-5:00 pm on Main Street in Hayward.

Baggage:

Drop your baggage at the designated location at the start from 7:45 am- 9:00 am.  Bags will be waiting for you at the Recovery Zone!

Finish Line:

You made it!  After receiving your ski ties and finisher medal/pin, recharge with Kemps chocolate milk and energy drink.  Pick up your drop bag (if you have one), change, have a soup meal in the Recovery Zone, and meet your friends in the Celebration Zone to celebrate!  Busses will run 12:00 pm-5:30 pm to return to the Spectator Lot.

Experience the Kortelopet 29K event at a more relaxed pace.  All participants must be registered for the Kortelopet Open Track Event and must follow all participant rules.

Bib and Gear Bag Pick-up:

In the Celebration Tent on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, February 21 from 6:30-10:00 am.

Getting to the Start:

You have options!

1. Participants may bus from the Spectator Lot in the city of Hayward to the start line.  Buses will leave the Spectator Lot between 10:00-10:30 am on Wednesday.
2. Get dropped off at the Start.  A special bonus of the Open Track!
3. Park at the Start!  No parking pass needed for the Open Track on Wednesday. (Please note:  buses will NOT return to the start from the finish line.  Make sure you have a plan in place to get back to your car.)

Start Window:

11:00-11:45 am at the Kortelopet Start at Hwy OO Trailhead.

Finish Window:

12:00-5:00 pm on Main Street in Hayward.

Baggage:

Drop your baggage at the designated location at the start from 10:45-11:45 am.  Bags will be waiting for you at the finish line!

Finish Line:

You made it!  After receiving your ski ties and finisher medal/pin, recharge with Kemps chocolate milk and energy drink.  Pick up your drop bag (if you have one) and have a bowl of soup in the Recovery Zone. Meet your friends in the Celebration Zone to celebrate! Busses will run 12:00pm-5:30pm to return to the Spectator Lot.

Open Track skiers will ski the same courses as the Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon events later in the week. Skiers will start at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, Kortelopet Stadium, or Prince Haakon Stadium, respectively, then they’ll ski down the Birkie Trail, over frozen Lake Hayward, and across the American Birkebeiner International Bridge to the finish on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. American Birkebeiner classic skiers must use the classic course.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own hydration vessels to fill at the self-serve aid stations.

Learn How to Refuel With Untapped!

Since this is an Open Track, or more relaxed event, no overall or age group awards will be offered in the Open Track events, however you can qualify for your Birkie or Korte decade award.

Save the Date:

2025: February 19-23

2026: February 18-22

2027: February 17-21