Trail Maps & Conditions

American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet & Prince Haakon Open Track

Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Timed & Supported Non-Competitve Race
Hayward, WI, USA

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Birkie Open Track Ski

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

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.

2025 Open Track Registration is Open and Filling Fast!

Register Now
2025 Registration FAQs
May 1 through June 27June 28 through September 5September 6 through October 31November 1 until Closed
Registration Fee$200$215$230$240
U20 Kortelopet/Prince Haakon fee
(born after 2/19/2005)		$135$140$145$150

Registration Details

  • All skiers in the Open Track must be registered for the Open Track event and ski the distance they are registered for. The race course will be closed for all other skiing.
  • Participants must be 13-years old for Prince Haakon and Kortelopet; 18-years old for Slumberland American Birkebeiner.
  • 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.
  • Classic and skate techniques can be utilized, however, on race day skiers must travel on the correct course for the technique and event that they registered for.
  • 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 changes can be made until January 14, 2025 at 11:59pm CST.
  • Skiers interested in skiing the Kortelopet or Prince Haakon on Friday, the American Birkebeiner on Saturday, and/or an Open Track event Wednesday can register for all races! Only 1 credit per each event (American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon) can be earned per year.

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

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. 

Bibs

There are no wave assignments or wave starts in the Open Track events, but there are assigned start windows for each event. All participants will wear the same color bib in each event unless you have earned a speical bib like Birchlegger, Uberlegger, or Kortelopet Skiloper. Bibs will still designate which race you are in and are different for each event.

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 »

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 American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Prince Haakon events later in the week, they will receive only 1 credit for that event. The maximum credit is 1-American Birkebeiner, 1-Korteolpet, and 1-Prince Haakon event for Birkie week. Skiers will not get credit for skiing two Birkies, two Kortes or two Prince Haakons, regardless of technique or day selected.

Worldloppet Credit

  • American Birkebeiner distances are eligible for Gold Credit.
  • Kortelopet distances are eligible for Silver Credit.

Future Wave Placement

Please see the wave placement information page for specific wave placement details, process and charts. Due to the non-competitive nature of the Open Track event and the potential differences in course conditions, future wave placement from the Open Track is limited. If you do not have a qualifying timed race result to use, you will be placed based on the following chart:

Event You are Registering For in 2025Using 2023 or 2024 Open Track Completion (with no timed results from 2020 or 2022)
Birkie SkateWave 9
Birkie ClassicWave 5
Korte SkateWave 4
Korte ClassicWave 3

Event Change Request

Event/Technique Change Request Info

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 18, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, February 19 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 American Birkebeiner 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 or 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.

Aid station and cut-off times available here >>

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 18, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, February 19 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.

Aid station and cut-off times available here >>

Experience the Prince Haakon 15K event at a more relaxed pace.  All participants must be registered for the Prince Haakon Open Track Event and must follow all participant rules.

Bib and Gear Bag Pick-up:

In the Celebration Tent on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm and Wednesday, February 19 from 6:30-10:00 am.

Getting to the Start:

Participants must 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. There is no participant drop off or parking at the start area.

Start Window:

11:00-11:30 am at the Prince Haakon Start.

Finish Window:

Finish cut off time is 5:00 pm on Main Streeet in Hayward.

Baggage:

Drop your baggage at the designated location at the start from 10:45-11:30 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 cup of soup at the Recovery Zone. Then meet your friends in the Celebration Zone to celebrate! Busses will run 12:00pm-5:30pm to return to the Spectator Lot.

Aid station and cut-off times available here >>

Save the date for future Birkie Open Tracks!

February 18-22, 2026

February 17-21, 2027