HAYWARD, Wis. — The 50th anniversary American Birkebeiner Nordic ski race was always going to be unique, but the 2024 edition will be unique in some less-desirable ways after a Monday night announcement by race organizers.

Events in northern Wisconsin are still planned to go on next week, Feb. 21-25, but as a concession to nearly nonexistent snow conditions throughout the region all winter, the week has been significantly modified.

The traditional finish in downtown Hayward has been scrapped, and events will take place on a 10-kilometer loop around the Cable trailhead established largely with stockpiled and manufactured snow. The event was last canceled in 2017.

Now that the thousands of skiers expected in northern Wisconsin will be concentrated in a much smaller space, several scheduling and logistical changes were made.

The 50-kilometer distance will now only be for elite professional and Super Tour racers. All other waves for skate and classic will be cut to three loops of the 10K track, and skate and classic races have been split up, with the skate on the traditional Saturday (Feb. 24) and classic on Sunday (Feb. 25).

The Kortelopet and Prince Haakon support races have also been shortened.

Participants will not be allowed to warm up or test wax before their races due to the limited snow. Finish times in 2024 will not count toward race placement in next year’s event.

Because the event is still taking place, there will be no refunds, deferrals or transfers.

For more information, go to birkie.com.

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