The American Birkebeiner

by Chris Parr

The largest cross-country ski race in North America. And oh, so much more than that to so many people.

During the last weekend of February, the American Birkebeiner attracts skiers from 49 states and 22 countries to the Northwoods of Wisconsin for a massive nordic ski race. The race has many events including a skijoring race with dogs, a giant ski, an expo, a 55 Kilometer Classic Ski Race and the main event: a 50 Kilometer Skate Ski Race. (Source: birkie.com)

It was the year 1206 and Norway was enduring a civil war. The Norwegian King and his baby, Prince Haakon, were in danger. So, two of the fastest skiers the country had to offer, Torstein Skevla and Skjervald Skrukka, took the baby and skied. 60 miles later, they reached freedom and safety. What they didn’t know is that they had just skied the first ever Birkebeiner. (Source: Chicago Tribune)

Since 1932, every year in Norway, thousands of participants strapped weighted bags on their backs to simulate the weight of Prince Haakon, and ski that same distance. (Source: birkebeiner.no)

An American who had discovered nordic skiing while serving overseas in Germany, named Tony Wise, developed a dream. In 1973, Tony started the American Birkebeiner in his hometown of Hayward, WI. 34 men and one woman assembled at the start line to make history. (Source: birkie.com)

Throughout the years, citizens and elite skiers were attracted to this event for its challenge and community. Today, the Birkie has evolved into a series of events that run year round, including a trail running race in the fall and a fat bike Birkie in the later winter. (Source: assets.nig.com)

Chris’s Experience

I’ve skied either the full Birkebeiner or shorter Korteloppet for 10 years now. 10 years of loading up on pasta the night before, wax parties, waking up well before the crack of dawn, scrambling to find a friend’s cabin to crash at, and 10 years of memories that I always cherish. But those that know me know my favorite story...

Back in 2012, I was racing in college and was unable to ski the Birkie, even though I had already registered. My teammate, Joe Dubay, didn’t register and wanted to race. We were a match made in heaven. He would ski the race under my bib and finish among the masses and blend right in. That way he could experience the Birkie and I could not have $125 wasted.

What nobody anticipated is exactly what happened. Joe won the race.

First place in a sprint finish. It was remarkable, unintended, and very problematic. Joe had gotten so involved in the race, he essentially forgot that he was racing it illegally.

We kind of became disliked among a niche group of Birkiegoers. That part wasn’t very fun. Knowing Joe’s story though, I can block that out and be proud of his physical feat that day. I’ll never forget it.

Since then, I’ve raced the Birkie every year and I’ll try my darndest to never miss it.

The race is really special to me because the community has been in my life for so long. I grew up skiing, even racing throughout college. It was a huge part of my life. And it’s more than appropriate that there is one day out of the year where many from the ski community come together to suffer and celebrate.

The suffering should be expanded upon… The Birkie is either 50 or 55 kilometers. That’s 31 and 34 miles. It weaves through the Northern Wisconsin woods, up and down and up and down. And it’s constant. The recovery opportunities, while present, don’t feel like recovery. It’s a race, after all. And after crossing that awful, windy, never-ending Lake Hayward, you’re hit with the opposite: thousands of cheering supporters down Main Street into the finish line.. The pain goes away. And the celebration begins.

A celebration it is. It seems counterintuitive to drink beer for recovery purposes, but for most, there’s no point in recovering. The beers are plentiful. Chances are, someone you know, if not yourself, was thinking ahead and has a few.

The next few hours involves talking to the Birkie community. It almost has the feeling of a wedding or Christmas. Seeing those faces you missed so much, doing a sport you missed so much, and coming down with the Birkie Fever that you look forward to all year.