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Mayor of Strathcona County On behalf of Strathcona County, I want to extend my best wishes for perfect weather and ski conditions for the annual Canadian Birkie Ski Festival! Strathcona County is proud to host one of the three Birkebeiner Loppets in the world since 1985. Participating in outdoor sports is good for mental health and keeping physically active – these can be challenges with our chilly winter weather. I hope that you enjoy your time in Strathcona County, and encourage you to visit our local shops, restaurants and amenities. You will be sure to find a new favourite here! Make sure to visit strathcona.ca/tourism for everything our community has to offer. Special thanks to the organizers and volunteers of this event, who undoubtedly have put hundreds of hours into planning and organizing a safe and rewarding festival. Rod Frank Mayor Strathcona County
MLA for Strathcona-Sherwood Park and Minister of Technology and Innovation Congratulations on the 39th Anniversary of the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival! It is an honour to bring greetings on behalf of the provincial government and Premier Danielle Smith at the largest classic-style cross country skiing event in Canada. The Canadian Birkie Ski Festival has played a significant role in Alberta since 1985, beginning with only 127 participants. Now, with thousands of participants every year, as well as hundreds who attend and volunteer, the Birkie has become an important tradition for many Albertans. As you embark on this exhilarating journey through the picturesque trails of our region, may the spirit of camaraderie and the joy of winter sports fill your hearts. The Canadian Birkie Festival stands as a testament to the vibrant community spirit that thrives in our great province. I am proud to call Strathcona County and Alberta my home. I am grateful for the contributions you have made to our community be attending, volunteering, or participating in this ski festival. Best wishes for a safe, enjoyable and inspiring experience. Sincerely, Hon. Nate Glubish
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT The Birkie Once Again Provides its Resilience (this time El Nino Style) Welcome to the amazing Virtual Birkie, a great personal event that gives you the chance to feel a part of a larger community, and maybe win some prizes, including a weekend at a ski resort. How Not to Start a Letter. This is not how I would normally start a letter about the Birkie, which is all about skiing in the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area with a dip into Elk Island National Park. That route is through a semi-wild area of Alberta and conditions must be right to run a safe and fun Birkie. This year, the missing condition is Snow. Snow – but not enough. Oh, there is snow, but not nearly enough for us to build snow ramps at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village’s Red Barn start, and the exciting finish at the Waskehegan Staging Area, and not enough to provide good tracks for the 55 km or 31 km routes. The snow base is very thin, and good tracking is not possible. In addition, we require minimum amounts to operate snow mobiles to provide evacuations in case of emergency. We have to offer a good course for a thousand or more skiers, which means a solid base and deep, firm tracks to handle the traffic. There is also the issue of skier safety. Cancelling Birkie Saturday Events is not a pleasant task for the Birkie-Board. Thousands of volunteer hours have gone into the planning, and it is a disappointment to our
skiers, sponsors and wider community. Birkie Saturday is a complicated one-day event which is dependent on the weather. Virtual Birkie. So, what do you do when mother nature does not want to play nice? You focus and expand on the great things the Birkie has to offer. In 2020 we initiated the Virtual Birkie as a companion to the ‘In-Person’ event. In 2024, every registered Skier, Volunteer and sponsor will receive a free Virtual Birkie pass (about a $25 value). We may not have snow, but we will have a great ‘Birkie’. Other Birkie 2024 Events. If you want to meet up in person with your Birkie friends or meet new ones, attend our Vikings’ Feast get-together on the Saturday night. The Barnebirkie Family Ski will proceed the following day. Our first Full Moon Birkie Ski is planned for February 24 but is dependent on suitable snow conditions. Looking further ahead, we have already started planning for two bike events in 2024: Biking Like a Viking in July and Bikenbender in September. 2025, We Will Be Back with an in-person Birkie. Until then and in 2024 get out there and ski, walk, run, bike, snowshoe (whatever) as part of the Virtual Birkie. Our motto is Birkie 2024: We’ve Got You! Dave Cooper, President
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VIRTUAL BIRKIE - February 10 to 24, 2024 Go at your own pace, at your own place!
You are invited to join people around the world completing the Canadian Birkie virtually. This 14-day event takes place from February 10. You can classic ski, skate ski, roller- ski, skijor, cycle, run, ice skate, snowshoe, walk and more in a 2, 4, 7, 13, 31 or 55 kilometer event. You can register until February 24 and your results need to be submitted Monday February 26.
Your Virtual Birkie includes the opportunity to: Virtual Birkie in a Scenic Spot Contest Do you love the beauty of the outdoors? Capture yourself on scenic spot with your Virtual Birkie bib on camera while completing the Virtual Canadian Birkie. Then post on social media or email the image!
• You could be part of the free giveaway contest for a Castle Mountain Chalets weekend away or a Birkie registration for any 2024 event including the post-race Viking Feast. * • Upload your results and see your ranking • Compete with people around the world • Download a commemorative bib • Print an official participant certificate to share on social media and hang it on your wall • Join our special Virtual Canadian Birkie Facebook Group • Contribute to our non-profit's effort to promote cross-country skiing • Have a great excuse to go outside and enjoy winter!
Best Viking Costume Contest Like to add some fun to the Virtual Birkie? Dress up like a Viking, then post on social media or email your picture to marketing@canadianbirkie.com. A boat load of warriors will select the winner and let you know who conquered the contest! Teams | Most Kilometer Group Award Sign up with friends, colleagues, family and register your team. Compete with other teams for the most KM Award. The winning team will be awarded with a wooden Virtual Birkie Medal. See details on our website https://canadianbirkie.com/most-kmskiedgroup-award/
All the above for $20 per person. *conditions apply See Virtual Birkie Photo Contests - Canadian Birkebeiner Society (canadianbirkie.com)
Go to canadianbirkie.com/virtual-birkie/ for more details. -8-
Facebook: @cdnbirkie Instagram: @canadianbirkie Twitter: @canadianbirkie
Proud to be a Sponsor of the Canadian Birkie!
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hike • climb • ski • run
Download our App – SkiYeg
shop.trackntrail.ca
VIKINGS’ FEAST Saturday, February 10, 2024 Location: Broadmoor Public Golf Course 2100 Oak St, Sherwood Park Price: $60 All Ages Time: Doors open at 6 pm; awards presentation at 8 pm Dress Code: Informal Join us for this wonderful apres-ski celebration of Birkie culture, community and classic crosscountry skiing for a successful Birkie! Buffet dinner, awards, draw prizes and more. Feel the Birkie Spirit! Purchase admissions to the Vikings’ Feast when registering for an event or online at www.canadianbirkie.com/vikings-feast.
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BARNEBIRKIE FAMILY SKI Sunday, February 11, 2024 The Canadian Birkebeiner Society is excited to partner with Silver Skate Festival to host the Barnebirkie Family Ski. These winter fun activities are where Birkie dreams begin and are for both children and their grown-ups! Did you know? “Barne” translates to “child” in Norwegian!
Registration Package Pickup Registration packages and bibs can be picked up on-site at the Victoria Golf Course. Parking Parking is available on-site. Parent & Spectator Etiquette Adults accompanying Barnebirkie participants on the course must be on skis to retain the integrity of the course. No pets please.
Barnebirkie Family Ski Events 500 m, 2 km, 4 km NEW Location Gold Bar Park 10955 50 St NW, Edmonton, AB
Clothing and Footwear Dress for the weather.
Sunday Schedule 11:00 am – Check in, park, pick up bib, unload gear, and get ready to ski 11:50 am – Official Program at Start Line Noon to 2:00 pm – Ski! Don’t forget about the Costume Contest 2:00 pm – Event closes
Best Viking Costume Contest Enter for your chance to win awesome prizes! Dress up like a Viking or your favourite superhero, fuzzy animal, anything goes! Post your photos to social media or email your picture to coordinator@canadianbirkie.com. A boat load of warriors will select the winners and let you know who conquered the contest.
Registration Online registration is open until Saturday, February 10, Noon. On-site registration is available
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FULL MOON BIRKIE Saturday, February 24, 2024 Embark on an evening cross-country ski adventure at Waskehegan Staging Area in Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. Glide under the starry sky and propel yourself forward while enjoying a unique landscape of shadows created by the full moon. Enjoy stories, laughs, snacks and hot chocolate in the warmed huts at the start or midway.
Every Participant Must • Sign in and sign out at the Waskehegan Staging Area shelter. This includes recording their vehicle license plate number. • Have a functioning headlamp. We recommend carrying extra batteries. • Dress for the weather and cover all exposed skin to prevent frostbite. We recommend carrying extra clothing, socks, head and hand gear.
Schedule 6:00 pm Sign-in Desk Opens 6:30 pm Skiing Begins
• Ski with at least one other person and use the buddy system by travelling with one or more people.
Registration Online: $15, On-site: $25 Online registration is open until February 23, 8:00pm MST. If space is available, participants can register on-site. Debit and credit payments will be accepted.
• Return and be signed out at the Waskehegan Staging Area by 10:00 pm at the latest. Age Limits
There are no refunds and registrations are nontransferable. Kids Ski Free Sign up as an adult to ski the Full Moon Birkie and your child under 12 skis free! Only one child skis free per adult who is registered in the same event. When you are registering online, remember to enter the Kids Ski Free promo code. The code will be provided on the registration form.
• Children 2 – 7 years old are not recommended. If they register, they must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian. • Children 8 – 11 years of age must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian. • Ages 12 – 100 must ski with at least one other person.
is proud to support the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival @GoEastofEdmonton
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CANADIAN BIRKEBEINER AWARDS Haakon Haakonsson Award
Founders and Builders Awards
The Haakon Haakonsson award was started in the early 1990’s by the founder of the Canadian Birkebeiner, Brian Peters. It is an award that is exclusive to the Canadian Birkebeiner and recognizes dedication to the Birkebeiner tradition.
The Founders and Builders Award is presented at our Annual General Meeting to an individual or group who has worked to create the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival and/or who has been a key contributor to growing this event over the years.
The Haakon Haakonsson award is presented to skiers who complete the long-distance events (classic or skating) in all three International Birkebeiner Events – the Norwegian, American and Canadian Birkebeiners. The events, ranging from 47 km (American) to 55 km (Canadian) to 54 km (Norwegian), need not be skied in one winter season.
Nominations for the 2024 Founders & Builders Award are now open. Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2024. See canadianbirkie.com/awards for more information.
Skiers are presented with a handmade pottery stein featuring handwritten text and Viking runes, and each skier’s name is displayed on our permanent trophy, the CANBi (Canadian, American, Norwegian) Shield. Congratulations to last year’s Haakon Haakonsson Award Recipients: · Marie Donnelly, Ottawa, Ontario · Julian Green, Herrliberg, Switzerland · Mikhail Kudienko, Calgary, Alberta · Daniel Mallory, Barrie, Ontario · Phil Shaw, Val-Morin, Quebec · Ross Wilkinson, Ottawa, Ontario Ole Hovind Award Ole Hovind was one of the pioneers of skiing in Alberta, active from the 1920's to the 1980's. He had significant influence over the people who would become the founders of the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival. The Ole Hovind Award was created at the very first Birkebeiner in 1985 in Ole's memory and is presented at the Annual General Meeting to the skier who best represents the spirit of the Birkebeiner and the things which Ole valued – skiing for the sheer joy of it, having fun, joking a lot, achieving something and just getting out there and doing it. Nominations for the 2024 Ole Hovind Award are now open. Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2024. See canadianbirkie.com/awards for more information.
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS! 2023 Canadian Birkie Ski Festival Inga Fra Varteig ($1-49) Allison Foxwell Andrew Turnbull Anne Marie Tyrrell Brent Griffin Cameron Mang Charlotte Louise Cindy Tester Crystal Laboucane David Klikach David Mackintosh David Ridley Devon Phillips Dominic Knight Garry Stone Gerald Loowell Heather Opseth Ian Quigley Jan McGregor
King Haakon Level ($100+) Cameron McGregor Cathy Flood Gerald Streefkerk Jeremy Herbert Phil Dunn 2 Anonymous Donors Prince Haakon Level ($50-99) Curtiss McLeod Dave Fricke Everett Kunitz Gerald Peters Irvin Servold Nic Goodwin Patty Glover 2 Anonymous Donors
John Lawrence John Watson John Walsh John Christensen John Addicott Katharine Magor Katherine Morianos Kelly Antoniuk Lori Goodbrand Lyle Opseth Marion Mayerhofer Michele Eickholt Monty McNeice Nadine Kern Nancy Doyle Naomi Jacobsen Noel Warkman Patty Cameron Ralph Osterwoldt
Richard Aunger Ryan Polny Ryan Thompson Sean Reid Steven Brese Tony Smith Vern McNeice Warren Waxer 44 Anonymous Donors
The Birkie would also like to thank the following: 2024 Supporters Alberta Emergency Management Amptec/3D Fire & Safety Beaverhill Bird Observatory Budget Rent-a-Car of Sherwood Park Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions Carillion Elk Island National Park GoLogo JaN Studios KDL Audio Productions The Marketer / Go East of Edmonton Tourism Minuteman Press, Sherwood Park Sons of Norway Strathcona Emergency Services Volunteer Strathcona
2024 Friends Alberta Environment and Parks, Parks Division Staff Alberta Environment and Parks, Parks Division Volunteers Alberta Trail Riders Association ATCO Blackfoot Grazing Association Canadian Progress Club of Sherwood Park Canadian River Valley Revenge The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Edmonton Bicycle and Touring Club Edmonton Examiner Edmonton Nordic Ski Club Edmonton Overlanders Orienteering Club Friends of Blackfoot Society Gary Atchison, Meteorologist Grant Macewan Mountain Club Margaret Toonen Jean Funk - 19 -
Rescue Dynamics Shirley Yakamitz St. Albert Community Information and Volunteer Centre Strathcona Wilderness Centre Survivorfest 24 Verner Steinbru, Viking! Volunteer Strathcona 175th Southwood Scouting Group Waskahegan Trail Association
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CANADIAN BIRKEBEINER SOCIETY 2024 Board of Directors • President: Dave Cooper • Vice President: Charles World • Treasurer: Patrick Finley • Secretary: Ted Luyckx • Director, Fund Development: Keven McGhan • Director, Human Resources: Charles World • Director, Marketing: Delia Meenhorst • Director at Large: Sara Szabo • Director at Large: Victoria Lee • Director, Ex-Officio: Keith Bocking
2024 Marketing Committee • Lead: Delianne Meenhorst • Alma Gilbertson • Brian Lucas • Dana Mauer • Darlene Mitansky • Marion Hinteregger • Roberta Hyland
2024 Birkie Staff • Administrator: Frank Potter • Coordinator: Jess Phillips • Marketing Assistant: Alma Gilbertson • Bookkeeper: Mary Ann Merritt
2024 Loppet Committee • Chief of Loppet: Charles World • Chief of Alumni: Brian Lucas • Chief of Barnebirkie: Roberta Hyland • Chief of Clothing Services: Kimberly Currie • Chief of Course: Dan Leskiw • Assistant Chief of Course: Eric van Walsum • Chief of Course Safety: Quinn McCashin • Chief of Emergency Response: Dave McCashin • Assistant Chief of Food Stations: Ross Johnson • Assistant Chief of Food Stations: Grant Chaney • Chief of Full Moon Birkie: Peter Kershaw • Chief of Long Start: David Makowsky • Chief of Registration: Kirsten van der Meer • Chief of Safety: Ted Luyckx • Chief of Short Start: Dave Cooper • Chief of Signage: Cathy Schreiner • Chief of Stadium/Logistics: Randy Stebner • Assistant Chief of Stadium: Victoria Lee • Chief of Timing/Finish Line: Victoria Lee • Chief of Transportation: Mike Stern • Chief of Volunteers: Monica Wartenberg • Assistant Chief of Volunteers: Alex Zukowsky • Cooking Lake-Blackfoot PRA Operations: Nic Cherepuschak • Medical Co-Chief: Jesse Lineham • Medical Co-Chief: Sophie Lalonde-Bester • Recording Secretary: Carolene Kuschminder
JOIN US NEXT YEAR... Canadian Birkie Ski Festival
FEBRUARY 7-9, 2025
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Acknowledging Our Sponsors for Their Generous Support
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ABOUT THE CANADIAN BIRKEBEINER SOCIETY The Canadian Birkebeiner Society was established in 1985 by a group of five passionate skiers. Their primary aim was to arrange the annual Canadian Birkie Ski Festival and to popularize cross-country skiing. As of now, the Society boasts an enthusiastic volunteer Board of Directors, Loppet Committee, Marketing Committee, and four dedicated, part-time staff members. Together, they work tirelessly to guarantee that all Birkie events are successful, sustainable, and enjoyable for all.
Annually, over 500 Volunteers generously donate more than 10,000 hours of their time to support the Society. By volunteering with the Birkie, you can give back to your community, forge new connections, and share your love for cross-country skiing with others. Visit our website at canadianbirkie.com/volunteers for more information and to register as a Volunteer.
The Birkebeiner Legend: Skiing Through History In the year 1206 a civil war raged in Norway. The infant prince and direct heir to the throne, Haakon Haakonsson, was in danger and hidden near Lillehammer. Two brave Birkebeiner warriors rescued the prince and carried him to safety; skiing 55 kilometers over two mountain ranges in the dead of winter. The young prince, later crowned King of Norway, ended the civil war and brought great peace and prosperity to the land. The English translation of Birkebeiner is “Birchlegs”, which described the warriors’ snow gaiters. Their battle leg protection was made of birch bark wrapped around the lower legs and secured with leather straps. Today, a Birkebeiner has come to mean a person strong in adversity; never daunted by trial and hardship. The dramatic flight of the “Birchlegs” and the Infant Prince is commemorated every year by the Norwegian Birkebeinerrennet ski race which parallels the historic route over the mountains between Lillehammer and Rena. In 1985, some 127 hardy participants skied the first “Canadian Birkebeiner” in very cold conditions, reminiscent of the brutal winter in the original Norwegian “Birchlegs” saga. Since 1985, tens of thousands of skiers have relived the legend here, many skiing the premier event - 55 kilometers with a 5.5 kg pack. The Canadian Birkebeiner, with distances for all ages and abilities, has grown to become one of the largest and friendliest cross-country ski festivals in Canada. It is one of only three of its kind in the world.
2024 BIRKIE BABY Every year the Canadian Birkebeiner Society chooses a Birkie Baby to represent the Legend’s crown prince, Haakon Haakonsson. Meet our 2024 Birkie Baby, Fenna! Fenna was born on the first day of snow in 2022. Her first winter was a particularly cold one, but that didn't keep her from joining her parents cross-country skiing or skating almost daily. A love for winter activities is present throughout the family. Her parents first met on a cross-country ski trip organized by the University of Alberta Outdoors Club. Since then, they have done the Birkebeiner many times together. On her mother's side, her grandfather and great-grandfather completed the Elfstedentocht (a grueling 220km skating tour in Friesland) several times. Additionally, she has relatives in Norway who are avid Birkebeiners. Now a one-year-old, Fenna still loves the outdoors. She'll grab her jacket when she wants to go on a walk to the playground. Fenna's family looks forward to more winter activities coming over the next few months!
JOIN US NEXT YEAR... Canadian Birkie Ski Festival
Canadian Birkebeiner Society Address: 7240 - 82 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta Canada T6B 0G1 Phone 780-430-7153 Email: ski@canadianbirkie.com
www.canadianbirkie.com
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