Birkie Giant Ski Race

Thursday, February 19, 2026, 5:00pm
Team Giant Ski Race
Main Street, Hayward, WI

Perhaps Birkie Week’s most fun event, the Birkie Giant Ski Race features teams of six skiers competing in a thrilling race – all attached to a single pair of giant skis. Giant Ski Racers compete in heats in hopes of advancing to the Giant Ski Finals, all held on Main Street in Hayward, WI, on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Grab friends and family and give it a try. Giant skis are provided to each team at the start, and the event is limited to 30 teams. See you on the (giant) start line! #Birkie2026

2025 Birkie Giant Ski Registration

The race is limited to 30 teams and is expected to fill early for 2026! Registration is online only until Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM or until full. Each team member must be 13 years old or older.

Registration Refund Protection

Protect your registration! Get reimbursed up to 100% on your registration if you can’t compete for a number of reasons. Protecht offers refund protection so you can insure your non-refundable registration fee in the case of injury, illness, or other unexpected events. Protecht can be purchased during your initial registration or up to five days after registration is completed.

Race Week Details »

Packet Pick up

A Team representative must pick up the team packet at the Hayward Chamber of Commerce Office located at the corner of Main Street and Highway 63 during the following times:

Monday, February 16 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 17 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 18 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m
Thursday, February 19 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m

Thursday, February 19 after 4:00 p.m. at the Giant Ski start line

Gear

All Team members should bring poles. A limited number of poles will be available at the start to borrow for the race. Pole height between the waist and armpits is recommended. Participants should wear regular winter boots with stiff soles. Costumes are highly encouraged!

Heats

All teams should report to the start line on Main and Second Street by 4:00 pm on Thursday, February 19, 2026. Team start order will be randomly chosen.

Each team will be assigned to a heat of two teams. Heats will begin at 5:00 pm at the intersection of Main and Second Street in Hayward. Each heat is timed. The four fastest teams in the heats will move on to the semi-finals.

Semi-Finals

The four fastest teams in the qualifying heats will take to the giant skis again! The winner of each semi-final heat will move on to the final round.

Finals

Two teams will make it out of the semi-finals and compete head to head for the coveted title of Birkie Giant Ski Winner!

Awards

The first and second place teams, by time, will receive awards.
Team Costume contest! Take team bonding to the max and dress up together. A celebrity panel of judges will choose one team with the best costume to win free entry for the 2027 Giant Ski Event!