Turkey Birkie | American Birkebeiner

Turkey Birkie
Registration
Location
Schedule & Course
Ski Lessons
Lodging
Sponsors
Future Event Dates

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival is the perfect opportunity to glide on early snow, take a lesson, and simply enjoy a day on skis in the great north woods!

Start the 2024-25 ski season with time on skis! Take advantage of the holiday weekend to spend time with family and friends in an active way. Whether you are a beginner or you live for the ski season, Turkey Birkie is a great time for your first ski of the year! Meet new friends and old in the Derksen Family Great Hall and head out on the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail, or Mother Nature-made loops, at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. There will be terrain for every level! Additionally, with the leading ski manufacturers in attendance giving you the first opportunity to try new gear, it is a great chance to kick off the XC ski season with a bang!

See friends, train hard, and have fun!

Registration

All Attending Must Register (even if you have a Combo or MTV Season Pass)

Cost: $35 or FREE if you have a Combo or MTV Season Pass.

Everyone attending will get a cool Turkey Birkie neckwrap. It will become your entry pass and help keep you warm!

Children 12 & under are free, but must still register.

Location

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Arrive from Telemark Rd- take Hwy M east from Cable, take a right (south) on Telemark Rd. and follow the signs to parking and registration/check-in. There is ample parking at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead.

Check-in at the Derksen Family Great Hall and stop back in to warm-up, get a dry layer, or have some lunch. The indoor space right next to the trail is perfect for meeting up with friends or having a mid-ski stop to refuel!

Schedule & Course

Course Information

Course information will be available as we get closer to the event. Snow conditions and available skiing is dependent on weather, snow making capabilities, and other factors. The Birkie Team will strive to have as much skiing available as the weather permits!

Most likely, you’ll be skiing the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. Depending on Mother Nature, there could be a lot or a little to ski on.

For the most up to date information, check the Birkie Trail Grooming & Trail Conditions report, or check the Birkie Trail Cams.

Schedule: Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 1

Check-in Times and Derksen Family Great Hall Hours EVERYONE must check-in to get their Turkey Birkie neckwrap. The neckwrap must be worn while skiing and is your pass for being on course.

Friday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 4:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 1:00pm

Venue Schedule (when the trails are open for skiing!)

Friday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday: 8:00am – 5:00pm

*note: if you are planning to ski beyond the Derksen Family Great Hall hours listed above, you must remove any personal items from the Derksen Family Great Hall before closing time.

CXC Academy Ski Lessons – Tentative Schedule (see more information below)

Friday: 1:30pm – 3:00pm (skate) Saturday: 9:00am – 10:30am (classic) | 1:30pm – 3:00pm (skate) Sunday: 9:00am – 10:30am (classic)

Learn How to Refuel With Untapped!

Ski Lessons

CXC Academy Ski Lessons

Learn from the CXC pro’s! From beginner to advanced lessons, CXC’s highly skilled instructors are excited to take your abilities to the next level. Whether you are a competitive Master’s racer, a first-time skier, or somewhere in between, come & enjoy the Tormondsen Family Snowmaking Trail, professional CXC Academy coaching, exceptional grooming and the best early-season snow in the Midwest.

Levels:

Learn to Ski
Beginner: Know how to ski but want to improve your technique
Intermediate/Advanced Technique Lessons: Fine-tune your technique
Youth

Our Coaches

CXC has recruited some of the most experienced coaches and instructors in the area. All are truly dedicated to seeing you achieve your personal best.

Facilities

All lessons are based out of the American Birkebeiner Trailhead. With machine made snow, phenomenal grooming, and trails for all ability levels, the American Birkebeiner Trailhead is an incredible classroom for your amazing cross-country experience.

Cost

CXC Academy is hosting and providing ski lessons for skiers of all ages and abilities. Ski lessons are available in three categories: Learn to Ski, Beginner, and Intermediate/Advanced for $200 (Includes complimentary CXC Academy membership, CXC ski ties and buff; must still purchase $35 festival pass or All Access Trail pass). For your convenience, you can register for lessons on the same form as you use for Turkey Birkie event registration, although CXC is providing the lessons (not the Birkie). Register here. Continue through registration to CXC ski lesson registration.

CXC Academy Ski Lessons Schedule

Registration for lessons includes ALL sessions listed below.

Friday: 1:30PM – 3:00PM (skate)
Saturday: 9:00AM – 10:30AM (classic) | 1:30PM – 3:00PM (skate)
Sunday: 9:00AM – 10:30AM (classic)

Advanced Lesson Opportunity! Technique Progressions with Bryan Fish, US Ski Team

For Advanced Skiers Only
Cost: $300

Friday:
12:30pm – 2:30pm: Skate Technique and Progressions

Saturday:
12:30pm – 2:30pm: Classic Technique and Progressions

Sunday:
11:00am – 1:00pm: Review of Classic and Skate Progressions, Q&A

Bryan Fish is in his 13th year with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. He is the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Cross Country Development Director and formerly the U.S. Ski Team Development Coach. Bryan began his coaching career in 1999 at his alma mater University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB). He coached part time for UWGB and was a full time engineer (Production Leader) for ENCAP, LLC. Bryan became the Central Cross Country (CXC) Elite Team Head Coach from 2006 to 2010.

In his role, Bryan oversees the overall sport- specific development pathway including junior development projects, domestic competition calendar, Cross Country Sport Education and domestic and development governance.

Bryan believes in the importance of empowering and educating American development athletes as well as providing them the infrastructure, opportunities, and support to allow them to pursue their athletic dreams. A primary pursuit of Bryan’s is to strengthen the USA Cross Country development system through fostering collaboration with member clubs, regions and key XC ski partners.

Bryan lives in Park City, UT and enjoys returning to his cabin in Northern Wisconsin where he grew up. He enjoys outdoor activities including mountain biking, trail running, kayaking and skiing.

Questions? Email yuriy.gusev@cxcskiing.org

All proceeds from Ski Lessons are donated to the CXC Excellence Fund

CXC Excellence Fund covers 50% of the trip cost for the qualified athletes from the Central Region to the Junior and U23 World Championships, and National Nordic Foundation (NNF) supports the remaining 50%. In return, supported athletes offer their time to assist the CXC Regional Elite Camp, Dream Camp, and Igor Camps as athletes, coaches, and mentors for our next generation of athletes. Last winter CXC provided three $1,700 stipends to athletes who competed at the U23 World Championships in Lygna, Norway.

Lodging

North Woods Getaway

The Turkey Birkie Ski Festival will take place at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead, located about 17 miles north of Hayward, WI, the “Gateway to the Historic Northwoods” in the town of Cable, WI. Within driving distance from Duluth, MN 1:30, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 3:00, Madison, WI 4:50, and Chicago, IL 7:20.