FasterSkier

Tag: korte

  • Birkie, Korte & Prince Haakon Price Increase This Friday

    Birkie Week Smaller Events Registration Also Opens

    North America’s #1 & #2 Cross-Country Ski Races Filling Fast

    (Press release)

    HAYWARD, Wis. (September 5, 2018) – With fall temperatures in the air, thoughts turn quickly to the change in seasons, fall leaves, and snow. The Birkie week of festivities is a mere 168 days away and thousands of skiers have already registered for the Slumberland American Birkebeiner, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon races to date. Friday, September 7 marks a price increase for all three races (skiers must register by 11:59pm on Thursday, September 6 to avoid the price increase), with the final price increase on November 2, 2018.  The Birkie is North America’s largest cross-country ski race and is scheduled for Saturday, February 23, 2019, with the Kortelopet, North America’s second largest ski race, and Prince Haakon, on Friday, February 22, 2019. Skiers from 49 states and 36 countries participated in 2018 Birkie week events.

    Friday, February 22, 2018

    Kortelopet 29K & Prince Haakon15K – Both races will finish in downtown Hayward with the Kortelopet starting at the Highway OO Trailhead and the Prince Haakon starting near Mosquito Brook.

    Saturday, February 23, 2018

    45th Annual Slumberland American 50K Skate/55K – Thousands of skiers journey from Cable, WI, on the Birkie Trail, through the north woods, across Lake Hayward, and over the American Birkebeiner International Bridge to the finish line on Hayward’s snow-covered Main Street. It’s the Greatest Show on Snow!

    Currently, Birkie skate Waves 1 & 2 are closed with Wave 3 (94%), Wave 4 (91%), Wave 5 (80%), and Wave 6 (84%) nearing capacity. Birkie classic Wave 1 is closed with Wave 2 (85%), Wave 3 (89%), and Wave 4 (81%) nearing capacity. Similarly, Kortelopet and Prince Haakon races are rapidly filling. There is a 10,800-participant race cap for the combined Birkie, Korte and Prince Haakon races. Registration will close when this cap is reached. Wave Placement is based on first registered, first seeded basis. Once a wave has filled, participants will be placed in the next available wave.

    Registration for the 2019 Junior Birkie, Barnebirkie, Birkie Adaptive, Barkie Birkie Skijor, and Birkie Giant Ski opened today, September 5, 2018 for the Birkie week of events starting on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Registration for all events is available at www.Birkie.com.

    About the American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation and Birkie® Events

    Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF), a 501(c)(3) organization, is known for its signature American Birkebeiner Ski Marathon held each February. Today, the Birkie has grown to encompass a variety of year-round, silent sport events that promote a healthy, active lifestyle for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts. The ABSF also acts as steward of the legendary Birkie Trail, providing year-round grooming, mowing and maintenance to all 100+ kilometers. From the iconic Slumberland American Birkebeiner ski race, to the Birkie Trail Run Festival, and Fat Bike Birkie, the ABSF and the Birkie Trail attract skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite athletes. Learn more at www.birkie.com.

  • Kortelopet Moves to New Day with Help from Tourism Grant

    The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation received a $12,450 JEM Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism. From left to right: Regional Tourism Specialist Julie Fox with Ben Popp, ABSF Executive Director, and Nancy Knutson, ABSF Director Marketing/Communication)

    HAYWARD, Wis. (Feb. 9, 2017) – The American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is racing into the new year with a marketing campaign aimed at promoting its Kortelopet (Korte) cross-country ski race and the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle. With help from a $12,450 Joint Effort Marketing (JEM) Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation looks to increase participation in the 29 kilometer race slated for Feb. 23, 2018. This year’s will take place on Friday, Feb. 24.

    “This project clearly demonstrates that funding tourism marketing initiatives produces a sound return on investment for the local economy,” Governor Walker said. “Tourism is part of Wisconsin’s economic foundation and its continued growth is a priority for my administration because of the nearly 191,000 jobs it supports, the tax revenues it generates and the positive image it projects for the State.”

    The Korte is known as a half-marathon distance cross-country ski race. Traditionally held the same day as the world-famous full marathon Birkebeiner (Birkie), the Korte will now take place the day before the Birkie in order to provide Korte skiers with a unique race experience and to allow for the potential of doubling race participation from 3,000 to 6,000 over the next 7 to 8 years. Event organizers hope that moving the Korte to its own day will increase the number of participants by 10 percent each year. This year’s Korte event is expected to attract more than 10,000 participants and spectators to the Hayward area, generating an estimated $1.6 million in visitor spending.

    In 2016, the American Birkebeiner and Kortelopet races drew skiers from 46 states and 22 countries. The Kortelopet race provides yet another medium to speak to skiers, both domestically and internationally, about northwestern Wisconsin and the skiing opportunities available on the Birkie Trail. The American Birkebeiner Trail system was recently voted the No.1 cross-country ski destination in the United States by USA Today/10Best.

    “The American Birkebeiner is North America’s most prestigious cross country ski race, and each year Wisconsin’s Northwoods welcomes thousands of skiers and spectators from around the world,” said Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett. “We’re thrilled to support the expansion of the Korte event so more athletes can participate and ultimately grow the overall economic impact of the Birkie weekend.”

    In 2015, the tourism economy in Wisconsin totaled $19.3 billion, a more than four percent increase from 2014. Since 2010, tourism activity in the state added 18,717 jobs to the economy, an 11% increase in travel and hospitality employment opportunities for Wisconsin residents. Visitors generated $1.5 billion in state and local revenue. Wisconsin taxpayers would need to pay $640 per household in order to maintain current government services. Total business sales in Sawyer County reached more than $113.7 million in 2015, supporting 971 jobs and $9.9 million in state and local taxes.

    “We are incredibly pleased to have been selected as a recipient of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism JEM Grant and the opportunity it affords us to grow the Kortelopet race. The grant provides us with the means to promote the race itself, helps us to encourage a healthy, active lifestyle, all the while increasing tourism in northwestern Wisconsin,” said Ben Popp, Executive Director, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. “We are grateful for the opportunity and excited to get started.”

    In fiscal 2016, the Department funded 57 JEM projects, awarding a total of more than $1.1 million. Visitor expenditures driven by the marketing from these projects will exceed $31 million. JEM grant funds are available to non-profit organizations for the promotion of Wisconsin tourism events and destinations. The state can fund up to 75 percent of a project’s first-year advertising and marketing costs, and provide support for second- and third-year projects with decreasing amounts for funding until projects become self-sustaining. For information on the JEM Program and application materials, visit http://industry.travelwisconsin.com.

    The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism is to market the State as the Midwest’s premier travel destination for fun by executing industry-leading marketing programs and establishing strategic partnerships. The Department plays a significant role in generating greater economic impact and jobs for Wisconsin. The portal for traveler information can be found at: www.travelwisconsin.com.

  • Birkie/Korte Registration Closes Thursday Night

    CLOSING TODAY at MIDNIGHT

    We have reached our participant cap for the 2015 Swix American Birkebeiner.

    Registration for both the Birkie and Korte events will close tonight

     (Thursday 10/23/14) at 11:59 pm CDT.

    The Prince Hakkon 13K will remain open.

    Take Advantage of This

    Last Day to Register!  

    Click HERE to Register Now

    ABSF-swix-2013-3v4ac

    When a wave closes, upon registering you will
    be placed in the next available wave.

    *Please remember, due to our new registration system, you must REGISTER AS A GUEST

    Questions? Email birkie@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025

  • Birkie More Popular Than Ever, Sells Out in Record Time

    More than 9,000 participants prepare to start the full-, half-distance and 13 k races at the American Birkebeiner in Cable, Wis., on Feb. 25, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Darlene Prois/ABSF)

    Those unfamiliar with the American Birkebeiner and cross-country ski culture in the Midwest might not get it.

    How does a point-to-point ski marathon in northern Wisconsin sell out in record time year after year? Especially after last season, which was marked by low-snow across the continental U.S., how does it draw 10,000 participants?

    For the year-round employees at the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation (ABSF) in Hayward, Wis., it’s not rocket science. They consistently put on a good race from Cable to Hayward, which brings people back.

    But a 50-kilometer ski marathon, mostly made up of masters and citizens, is only as good as Mother Nature allows, and last year was no walk in the park. Organizers scraped snow off soccer fields and transported 120 truckloads to Main Street. There, they spread the pristine white stuff 6 inches to a foot deep for the ½-kilometer finish.

    The ABSF also made sure the Birkie trail was in tact, unloading 500 totes of snow – each weighing 300 pounds – on the course, and shoveling 75 totes by hand. Despite all the sweat that went into it, groomers and organizers alike emitted a relaxed yet down-to-business vibe. Entering the 40th anniversary of the American Birkebeiner, snow seems to be one of the furthest things from their minds – for now.

    On a sunny Tuesday afternoon in Wisconsin, ABSF executive director Ned Zuelsdorff said they had a few dustings recently, but that probably wasn’t driving registration sales. The Birkie (with the option of a 50 k skate or 54 k classic) and 23-k Kortelopet sold out on Monday (Oct. 15) at 3 p.m., more than a month earlier than it did last year on Nov. 21.

    According to Zuelsdorff, registration has closed progressively earlier over the last several years – meeting its 10,000 cap this year in record time. That grand total includes Birkie, Korte and 13 k Prince Haakon participants. On Tuesday, there was some room left in the 500-person Haakon race, and the ABSF saved spots for elite and international skiers.

    “It’s fun for us to have set this record,” Zuelsdorff said on the phone. Last year, the three races drew about 9,600 people. This year, they’re already at 9,700 or so. According to public relations director Susan Kendrick, 62 percent signed up for skating and 38 percent registered for classic.

    “We now can really focus on getting everything together for the 2013 Birkie, the 40th anniversary, and it’s just really nice to see,” Zuelsdorff added. “It’s just an exciting thing that people are so enthusiastic about coming here.”

    The hype surrounding its 40th anniversary, known as the “Big 4,” might have something to do with it. The Birkie started with 11 founding members in 1973. They kept the tradition going for 10 straight years, and today, anyone who completes 20 Birkies is dubbed a Birchlegger. Zuelsdorff estimated there were 1,200-1,300 Birchleggers registered for the upcoming Birkie on Feb. 23.

    What’s more, he said at least 200 registrants have done more than 30 Birkies.

    “The numbers indicate that we have about 15 percent first-time skiers, which says to me that we’ve got 85 percent that have been here at least once before,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that keep coming back year after year.”

    However, each year, the race grows slightly and fills up even faster. Zuelsdorff said that was likely because of the growing impact of the Birkie and word of mouth.

    “A week ago, I was at the Twin Cities Marathon expo, we had a booth there, and so many people mentioned that the Birkie is on their bucket list,” he said. “Evidently, roughly 1,500 of our skiers are putting a check on their bucket list this year because they plan to be here.”

    When it comes to registering for America’s largest ski marathon, one of 16 international Worldloppets, a sense of immediacy has also infiltrated people’s minds. That makes snow less of a concern. Years ago, registration typically picked up around December or January, Zuelsdorff said.

    “Now with the way things have been going over the past couple of years, [our registration employees have] been largely in here all summer making sure that people get assigned to the correct waves and that everything is corrected as far as data,” Zuelsdorff said. “I guess there no longer is the option of waiting to see what the winter’s like before you decide to sign up.”

  • Fewer Than 500 Spots Left for 2013 Birkie/Korte

    Fewer Than 500 Spots Left for 2013 Birkie/Korte

     Birkie and Korte Close to Closing

    (Press release)

    This is a final announcement about registering for either the Birkebeiner or the Kortelopet races on February 23, 2013. There are now fewer than 500 spots left for these two races combined. There are still more than half of the allotted spots still open for the Prince Haakon.

    This is the Final Update:

    Please Register Now If You Plan To

    The 500 spots remaining take into account entries we retain each year to fulfill certain commitments. For example, each major sponsor receives entries as part of their support; registrations from skiers who quality for the Elite Wave will be accepted until the men’s and women’s fields are filled; and we reserve a number of registrations for our international skiers and members of the Worldloppet community.

    With only 500 spots remaining in the Birkie and Korte, we do anticipate that these two races will fill very soon. We will then close registration for these two races.

    Again, now that we are at this 500 mark, this is the last email update we will send. Our next email will announce when registration for the Birkie and Korte closes. Again, we do have more than half of the allotted spots still open for the Prince Haakon.

    Please Help Us Get the Word Out

    Please share this information with anyone you know who is still thinking about registering for either the Birkie or the Korte. We would like to include everyone who wants to join us for another great day on the Birkie Trail! That is one of the reasons we increased the total race cap for the Birkie, Korte, and Haakon races to 10,000 skiers this year. Thanks for your help. Think Snow!

     

    For questions, email birkie@birkie.com or call 715-634-5025.