American Birkebeiner: Great snow conditions await after last year's ski race cancellation

Yahoo

25-02-2025

One year after warm weather and unwelcome rain forced a rare cancellation, great conditions and perhaps some glitter await participants in the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski races in northwestern Wisconsin this week.
There has been plenty of snow and more coming. Temperatures should be just about perfect — high 20s or low 30s — when the first part of competition gets underway on Friday, said Birkie executive director Ben Popp.
The Birkie, billed as North America's largest cross-country ski marathon, runs between Cable and Hayward. The race is expected to attract 13,500 skiers, 2,500 volunteers and up to 30,000 spectators. Sports Destination Management magazine estimated in 2016 that Birkie visitors book 4,100 room nights and bring $20 million to the local economy.
It's a far cry from last year, which Popp and the hotel and restaurant operators in northwestern Wisconsin would prefer to forget. Warm weather forced organizers to cancel the race for only the second time in its 44-year history.
"It was so disheartening," Popp said. "We had six days with temperatures above 50 degrees."
RELATED: American Birkebeiner, world's largest cross-country ski race, canceled following days of warm weather, rain
This year there are 4 to 8 inches of hard packed snow on the course and the forecast calls for 3 to 4 more inches to fall before the Birkie events get underway.
"The course is in really good shape," Popp said. "I think we should have some exceptionally good conditions."
For the main race on Saturday, skate-style skiers will travel 50 kilometers (about 31 miles), while the classic racers go 55 kilometers. The race starts in Cable and ends on Main St. in downtown Hayward.
Organizers moved the 29-kilometer Kortelopet race to Friday so participants and their families could enjoy a big finish line celebration for that shorter race. In past years, the Korte ran on the same day as the main race.
"We wanted to give those folks the same kind of Birkie experience" as racers in the main event on Saturday, Popp said.
The return to a "normal Birkie" is welcome news for the local hospitality industry.
"It's looking wonderful," said Cindy Ferraro, owner of the Sawmill Saloon in Seeley, between Hayward and Cable. She also rents lodge rooms and apartments in the area.
"Some people have been up here since last week," she said. "Were completely booked."
Although the skiing was washed out last year, some folks trekked to the area anyway to gather with their friends for Birkie weekend.
"They partied for two days before (race day) and the day after instead of just one day," she said.
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Birkie fans can expect to see some glitter adorning skiers in honor of the U.S. cross-country ski women team's performance Saturday in the Winter Olympics.
The team finished 5th in the relay, its best performance ever. Members of the U.S. women's team paint their faces with glitter and are high-profile ambassadors for the sport.
"Those gals have done so much for the sport in the past five years," Popp said. "It's just awesome."
Although no members of this year's Olympic teams will be at the Birkie, there are plenty of elite athletes expected, including Caitlin Gregg, a member of the 2010 Olympic team.
The Olympics along with a growing number of youth programs have boosted interest in competitive cross-country skiing, Popp said.
RELATED: Wisconsin DNR launches cross-country ski trail conditions page
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Some schools have programs to introduce kids to the sport. One school, Popp said, strives to get every second-grader on skis.
"I think we're seeing cause and effect," he said. As more young people are introduced to skiing, their families seek out clubs and professional coaching.
"It's the same kind of model that we've seen as with swimming and soccer," Popp said.
"I think the sport is going in the right direction."
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Birkebeiner ski race draws thousands to northwestern Wisconsin