There are a hundred fun Birkie traditions to do during the American Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon. In fact, I was talking to one Worldloppet skier who agreed that the actual race is only like 20% of the experience. Hayward, Wisconsin becomes a fascinating place every February during the annual run of this fantastic race and [...]
This photograph comes from I believe the 5th wave of the 50 kilometer skate race at the 40th Birkebeiner cross-country ski marathon, which was held this last Saturday. I was in wave 6 of the classic race and because of this photo, I was late getting to the starting line. Sometimes you just have to [...]
Lake Kegonsa State Park is one of those places that people motor right on past on the way to more interesting spots farther north along I-90. It is just south of Madison near the town of Stoughton. While there is good reason to keep driving north, there is also good reason to stop by [...]
The American Birkebeiner cross-country ski Marathon is only a month away and currently there is a shortage of snow in Hayward, Wisconsin. There is not much snow anywhere in the state. One-by-one, many winter events all across the state have been canceled from biathlons, skiing races, and candlelight night skis. Let us pray that the [...]
We arrived to a foggy Blue Mound State Park. It had recently snowed and then freezing rain capped the snow making a crusty top layer. Despite the less than ideal conditions, the woods were beautiful in stark kind of way. In fact, an author contacted me for some of my pictures from this day to [...]
A couple of weeks ago the Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest was hit with almost two feet of snow where nearby units barely had six inches. I have never been to Pike Lake, but this seemed the opportune time to check it out for some cross-country skiing. When I got off [...]
Last year Wisconsin Outside dot com proudly announced a return to the American Birkebeiner Cross-country Ski Marathon in Hayward, Wisconsin. Well, it was a lie. It did not happen. The lie was accidental though and not done out of laziness. The American Birkebeiner has sold out each of the past three years, and each year [...]
The American Birkebeiner Marathon website continuously counts down the days until the big event in February. Today on the eve of the most prestigious cross-country ski event as noted by the Worldloppet Ski Federation, the website shows only one day left. The website states the conditions are great with a 3-6 inch base and fresh [...]
Palmquist Farm is located just west of Wausau, Tomahawk, and Merril in the small hamlet of Brantwood. The Farm is a beautiful area with wonderful cabins and amazing food. The highlight of the location is the 20-24 miles of cross-country ski trails. This review just looks at the trail system itself and not the [...]
A typical winter scene in northern Wisconsin as rabbit tracks cross a cross-country ski trail in the Rib Lake ski trail system. Winter is winding down in most of the Midwest, but the Wisconsin northwoods have retained their snow cover, and we hope this continues with the American Birkebeiner coming up in a couple of [...]