Birkie Fever: Is the 50th Birkie at Risk of Cancellation?

Winter enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the annual American Birkebeiner Ski Race (Birkie) each year. Yet, amidst the excitement, there's a sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension this time around. With climate change altering traditional weather patterns, the burning question remains: Will the 50th Birkie proceed, or will it face cancellation due to a lack of snow?

For fifty years, the Birkie has held a special place in the world of cross-country skiing. Hosted in Wisconsin, USA, it is the North America's largest cross-country ski race, drawing participants from around the globe. However, the milestone 50th Birkie faces an uncertain future due to the impact of climate change – there's simply not enough snow in the Midwest now.

Ben Popp, Executive Director of the American Birkebeiner Foundation, and Kristy Maki, Birkie Event Director, recently hosted a live Q&A session on January 29th. They reminded us of past snow challenges and the perseverance of the cross-country skiing community. From the "Bikini-Birkie" of 1981, where 300 volunteers shoveled snow onto an 8 km track, to route alterations in '84, '85, and '91 due to snow shortages (when 8” of snow fell on race morning in '91), the Birkie's history is a testament to resilience. In 1998, it even was transformed into a running race to avoid cancelling as in 2000 and 2017. Birkie was many time shortened too, for example in 2002 and 2007.

Snowmaking technology has been instrumental in addressing these challenges and providing a contingency plan for the 50th anniversary of the Birkie. Organizers have shared four contingency plans, including the possibility of utilizing a ~10 km loop of man-made snow. Adjustments to the race schedule, potentially separating classic and skate races, are also being considered to accommodate the 13,000 racers expected during Birkie week. Therefore, to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants, racing the classic Birkie on Sunday is an option.

The January 29th Q&A session is available for viewing here.

The final decision on how the 50th Birkie will proceed will be announced on February 12th, coinciding with a final live Q&A session with Kristy Maki streamed on YouTube and Facebook Live. For updates, visit birkie.com/50 and YouTube.

Despite weather challenges posed by climate change, the Birkie community has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. Organizers are finalizing contingency plans, adapting race routes, and have learned a lot from past experiences. While the question of whether the Birkie will happen this year remains unanswered for now, the organizing team remains committed: "We’ll do whatever we can for you to have the Birkie celebration."