Prince Haakon 15K
Friday, February 21, 2025
The Prince Haakon 15km is named after the baby prince who started it all! Prince Haakon is the ideal event for first-time racers, those looking for a shorter ski race, or skiers who are too young to compete in other Birkie Ski Week Events. Over 15km, skiers race through the forest on the Birkie Trail, glide across frozen Lake Hayward, and ski over the infamous American Birkebeiner International Bridge towards the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. Prince Haakon is open to skiers 13-years and older, and has classic or skate category options. #Birkie2025
Registration
2025 Prince Haakon Registration is Now Open!
| May 1 through June 27 | June 28 through September 5 | September 6 through October 31 | November 1 or until full | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Haakon Registration Fee | $200 | $215 | $230 | $240 |
| U20 Prince Haakon (born after 2/21/2005) | $135 | $140 | $145 | $150 |
Registration Details to Know!
All participants must be 13 years of age or older on race day in order to register for the Prince Haakon.
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 call the Birkie office at 715-634-5025 or 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.
Skiers interested in skiing the Prince Haakon on Friday, the Birkie on Saturday, and the Open Track Korte on Wednesday can register for all races!
U20 Skiers
As part of the ABSF’s efforts to promote youth development in the sport, we will be offering a U20 (born in 2005 – 2012) age class wave for the Prince Haakon. U20 athletes will be the first off the starting line!
2025 Birkie Gear Bag Information »
Event Change Request
Participants may request to change from the Prince Haakon to the American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, or Open Track at any time until 11:59pm CST on January 14, 2025 unless an event is full (see allowed transfers below). Wave placement is subject to availability at time of request. If the wave that you qualify for is full, you will be assigned to the next wave with space available. Participants may no longer transfer to the American Birkebeiner or Kortelopet once they are full. A change fee of $25 will be applied. You will receive an updated e-mail confirmation reflecting the change once the change has been approved. If you do NOT receive an updated e-mail confirmation within 10 business days, contact registration@birkie.com.
- To change your event:
- Login to your RunSignUp profile.
- Scroll down to your event and click “Manage Registration”
- Click on “Transfer Event” (along either top or bottom menu)
- Select the event you want to transfer to and complete the registration
| Event you are registered for currently | Eligible for a transfer request to this event |
|---|---|
| Birkie Skate | Birkie Classic, Korte Skate, Korte Classic, Prince Haakon, Open Track* |
| Birkie Classic | Birkie Skate, Korte Skate, Korte Classic, Prince Haakon, Open Track* |
| Korte Skate | Birkie Skate, Birkie Classic, Korte Classic, Prince Haakon, Open Track* |
| Korte Classic | Birkie Skate, Birkie Classic, Korte Skate, Prince Haakon, Open Track* |
| Prince Haakon | Birkie Skate, Birkie Classic, Korte Skate, Korte Classic, Open Track* |
| Open Track | Birkie Skate, Birkie Classic, Korte Skate, Korte Classic, Prince Haakon* |
| *subject to wave availability |
Ineligible event change requests will be reversed and refunded minus processing fees if requested.
Bib Pickup and Event Week Schedule
Pre-Race Bib Pickup:
Bib Number Email Confirmations will be sent out the week before Birkie Week
Thursday, February 20
- Location: Birkie Expo, Hayward High School
- Times:
- Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- You will pick up your bib and the bag option you choose during registration: Birkie Gear Bag or Plastic Bag, unless you indicated you would be using a previously purchased Birkie Gear Bag. You will only receive what you indicated during registration.
- Expo Preview
Race Day, Friday, February 21, Bib Pickup:
- Location: Prince Haakon Start Area
- Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
- 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 following your race at the Birkie Expo between 12pm-8pm, you can have your Birkie Gear Bag mailed to you. Deadline to claim your 2024 Birkie Bag is March 31, 2025. Bags will be mailed in April 2025.
Schedule
Race Day Schedule
- U20 Boys start at 1:15 pm
- U20 Girls start at 1:20 pm
- Mass start at 1:25 pm
- Relaxed start between 1:25 and 1:35 pm
- All start times will be recorded when you ski through the start tower. Winners will be based on chip time and not based on the first to cross the finish line.
Race Policies
The race is run according to the rules and regulations of the Federation of International Skiing (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 Prince Haakon must be 13 years of age by February 21, 2025. There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancelation. Entry fees are non-transferable between individuals or to future races.
Clothing Bag Procedures: policies for using the clothing transport from the start to the finish.
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 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.
Cut-Off Times
Participants must complete their race by 5 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.
How to Get to the Start
Bus service runs continuously to the start from the skier parking lot at Birkie Ridge. Buses will pick up skiers and spectators and shuttle directly to the start from 11:30 am – 1:45 pm. Please allow 1 1/2 hours to bus to the start from Birkie Ridge. There are no participant drop offs or parking at the start.
Buses from the Finish in downtown Hayward will bring you back to the Birkie Ridge parking lot from 12:30 – 5:00 pm.
Course Information
Prince Haakon 15K skiers will depart from the start area near Phipps Road, north of Hayward, WI. The first 2-kilometers of the course are 14′ wide with one classic track and one skate lane. The remainder of the course is shared with Kortelopet skiers and is 30′ wide with two classic tracks and two skating lanes. Prince Haakon skiers will ski across Lake Hayward and over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge as they make their way toward the finish line on Hayward’s snow covered Main Street. Cheering crowds and the ringing of cowbells will greet them on Main Street.
Click the image above for PDF map.
Aid Stations and Cut-Off Times
| Location | Aid Available | from Start | Cut-off Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | Water | 0 | — |
| Fish Hatchery | Water, UnTapped Energy Gels, Waffles, & Hydration, Bananas, Sandwich Cookies | 7K | 3:35 PM |
| Finish Line | Celebration Zone and Soup Tent! | 15K | 5:00 PM |
Results
View Prince Haakon Results »
Awards
All Prince Haakon finishers will receive a medal when they cross the finish line!
The top three overall women and men will be recognized in a ceremony in the Celebration Plaza at 3:00 pm on Friday. Winners are based on overall, chip time, not the first to cross the finish line. There is no technique distinction in the awards.
Lodging & Services
For lodging information, see our Lodging page.
Camp Birkie Childcare
Find more information and registration details HERE!
Sponsors
Click Here to Meet Our Sponsors
Future Event Dates
Save the Date:
2025: February 19-23
2026: February 18-22
2027: February 17-21
