We received 5-8" of snow last night and this morning as winter arrived throughout the region. We have begun rolling and grooming the Birkie Trail system. It's skiable but we are envious of the snow and skiing that's arrived further south. We will catch up! It's nice to see the widespread snow allowing many of you to get out and prepare for the 37^th Birkie in February.

You are obviously thinking about the Birkie as we're on record pace for registrations with almost 5,900 of you already registered, more than 1,400 ahead of last year at this time. In fact, Skate Waves 2 and 3 are filling quickly and near closing. As you'd expect we're working on putting the 2010 Birkie together to give you the best event we possibly can.

Skiers are also signing up for the new BirkieTour. This fun event offers something for everyone. It's your chance to spend a great day with family and friends on this famous trail.

We hope you enjoyed the Pre-Race Birch Scroll. Keep watching for more updates.

• Post Race Food and Refreshments
• Participant T-Shirts and Pins
• Worldloppet Credit
• Bus Transportation
  

Raise Funds and Be Eligible for Prizes
Interested in raising money for the Skiers for Cures program? Get started now - click here.

For each $250 raised the fundraiser will have their name entered in a raffle drawing for great getaways at area resorts and other items including special prizes donated by skiing legend Bjorn Daehlie. More on that soon!

There's nothing like the energy of a team to bring out the best in a group of athletes. The team spirit and camaraderie motivates men and women of all ages and fitness levels. Now there's an outlet for all that energy, training and motivation. The Team Competition is intended to be a fun addition to the American Birkebeiner.

The ABSF and Lake Superior College in Duluth, Minnesota will again present the Team Competition. For 2010 the Team Competition has been expanded to include an Open category for organization, e.g. businesses and club teams of men and women, regardless of age.

Team Divisions Include:

• Juniors
• College
• Open

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Freestyle, Classical 24-hour (or less) of fun at this relay event, 10 a.m. Saturday - 10 a.m. Sunday. There will be 3, 6, 12 and 24 hour categories for solo, duo and relay teams up to 6 skiers over a 5K loop on the Telemark Ski Trails in Cable, WI.  The course is fun and safe to ski both by day or night, and as usual will be exceptionally groomed.  We will be adding more women's and family oriented categories this year as our goal is have an event that is fun for skiers of all levels; whether you are an elite skier putting in some early season base km's or there to experience to camaraderie of Team competition.

As usual there will be a great swag bag for all participants and a huge awards and door prize give away held at the end of the event.  It is not a RACE it is A Happening.

For more info, contact [email protected] or 608-212-6912 or go www.the24hoursoftelemark.com for complete details.

About the Birkie®

From February 25-27, 2010, more than 7,000 fit, colorfully-clad skiers from all walks of life and from around the world will descend upon the Wisconsin northwoods to participate in the 37th anniversary American Birkebeiner, a cross-country ski race that weaves more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) along a hilly, heavily wooded trail from the Telemark Resort near Cable to the finish line on Main Street in downtown Hayward.

For some, it's serious business. The Birkebeiner is part of the Worldloppet, a circuit of 15 Nordic ski races held on four continents. The race attracts a top cadre of professional racers from 19 countries, including past and present Olympians and those competing in the International Ski Federation standings.

For many hundreds of others, though, it's an annual celebration of personal endurance and outdoor enthusiasm. Since its inception in 1973, 'The Birkie' has grown into the largest cross country ski marathon in the nation. While pros may complete the course in about two hours, legions of weekend warriors soldier on in triple that time. Citizen skiers can compete in the full race or sign up for 23 kilometer Kortelopet or one of our many other events.

You don't even have to click into skis to join in on the party. An estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators line many portions of the route, and it seems all of Hayward is there cheering at the finish line. Equipment demos, citizen sprints, family fun races/tours and other events round out the weekend.

Ski . Run . Live