Archives 2023-2024
Trail Grooming Fundraising Efforts
March 31, 2024A number of Midwest trail systems are currently fundraising to improve their trail grooming equipment.
Eau Claire Ski Striders - Raising funds for equipment upgrades at Eau Claire County Parks.
Madison Nordic Ski Club - Raising funds to replace grooming equipment at Elver Park.
North Star Ski Touring Club - Offering grants for Nordic skiing programs (deadline now Apr 8th)
Webinar: Climate Threats to Outdoor Recreation
March 16, 2024University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership is hosting a webinar on Tuesday March 19th at noon with Ben Popp and Kristy Maki for their Adaptation in Action series. They will be discussing both how the Birkie was able to respond to this "winter" and still host an event, and also how the Birkie is planning on adapting to future climate change in an equitable way.
MPR: Twin Cities, much of southern Minnesota digging out from first major snowfall of the winter
February 15, 2024Much of southern Minnesota woke up to a rare sight Thursday — rare for this strange winter, at least: a significant snowfall.
North Star Ski Touring Club Seeks Applications for Grant Fund Projects
February 8, 2024Established with the goal of enriching and further growing the sport of Nordic skiing, this year's applications for donations from the North Star Grant Fund are due by April 2nd. Qualified applicants should submit proposals for Nordic ski related projects that will largely fall within the 2024 calendar year.
Bad to Worse
February 2, 2024With some of the warmest temperatures of the season ahead, and indeed some of the warmest temperatures in decades, Mark Lahtinen shares how this winter stacks up against winters past.
Cook County: Discover Epic Cross Country Skiing on Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail
January 25, 2024Winter has arrived, and the cross-country ski trails near the Gunflint Trail have opened after the first few snowfalls of the season. Visit Cook County invites skiers of all abilities to plan an epic cross country ski adventure in the northernmost reaches of the state.
It’s Just One of Those Winters
January 24, 2024Continuing his coverage of this winter we're having, Mark Lahtinen adds to his insights from earlier this month with another round of number crunching.
Skiing Etiquette in Marginal Conditions
January 24, 2024With warm weather and rain on tap for parts of the region, seems like a good time to review proper "etiquette" for skiing.
Winona Nordic Social Fundraiser Jan 20th
January 15, 2024St. Mary's University in Winona is hosting a Winona Nordic Social fundraiser on Saturday evening, Jan 20th. Come out and enjoy cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres, participate in the silent auction and support the ski trails grooming, snowmaking, lighting and maintenance.
More Brown Days
January 11, 2024It's no great secret that this winter has been tougher than most when it comes to snow. Helping to make sense of it all is Mark Lahtinen who has the numbers on exactly where we stand compared to seasons past.
Where's the Snow?
December 24, 2023Mark Lahtinen writes on our winter so far and a historical look at December weather.
ABR Wax/Ski Clinic this Weekend with Eli Brown
December 19, 2023ABR is hosting Eli Brown, fresh off the World Cup, for a presentation and discussion on wax and the World Cup Friday evening, and then an on-snow technique clinic on Saturday morning -- Dec 22-23. Register online.
Maplelag Nordic Ski Club
December 11, 2023Maplelag has opened up a Strava based Nordic ski club, celebrating cross-country skiing for all levels -- whether you tour on three-pin bindings or race in the Birkie elite wave. Join the Strava club and share your workouts, plus see some of the grooming activities.
What’s Up With El Nino
December 1, 2023Mark Lahtinen chimes in on the outlook for winter 2023-24 and the impact of El Nino, digging into statistics from the past to make some correlations.
Snowmaking Watch
November 23, 2023Snowmaking operations have fired up with the cold weather...
- Birkie Trailhead
- Loppet Stadium
- Spirit Mountain
Purchasing Trail Passes Online
November 22, 2023Snowmaking operations are firing up across the region as cold weather finally settles in. We've updated our list of trail passes and parking permits, most of which you can purchase online and be ready to hit the groomed trails.
Ariens Nordic Trail Passes on Sale
November 16, 2023Ariens Nordic Center in Brillion, WI, is Wisconsin's newest snowmaking operation, now heading into their second season. They are offering early-bird pricing on seasonal trail passes -- act by Nov 30th for the lowest pricing.
ABR Grows Team for Upcoming Season
October 28, 2023With owner Eric Anderson undergoing surgery this week, ABR is glad to welcome two additional members to their operations this season! Nathan Williams will be working full-time in all areas and Kyle Pallin will be assisting in grooming.
Seeking Stolen Grooming Equipment
October 26, 2023The Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota is seeking the communities help in finding stolen grooming equipment.
Goose Lake Ski Trail Fall Clean-up Day
October 15, 2023The Lake Country Nordic Ski Club will be having their annual Goose Lake Ski Trail fall clean-up this Saturday morning, Oct 21st.
Endurance Adventures: Upcoming September Clinics
September 9, 2023September is a busy month for Endurance Adventures with a couple of clinics planned—the first, a skate technique roller ski clinic on the 11th, and the second, a dryland pole bounding clinic on the 18th. Both clinics are free to attend, although attendees are asked to register in advance. Also, be sure to check out some of the upcoming ski trips Endurance Adventures has planned as there will be a $100 price hike for all winter trips going into effect on October 1st.
American Birkebeiner Launches Campaign for Mt. Telemark Village
August 24, 2023The development of the Mt. Telemark Village, the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation's most ambitious undertaking to date, is well underway just outside of Cable, WI, but the project still needs financial support to reach it's goal of opening by next year. With over half of the funding for the 10 million dollar campaign already secured, the ABSF is now inviting the public to get involved and help the project reach the finish line.
Endurance Adventures: The Secret to Aging in Style
August 21, 2023Endurance Adventures' Kim Rudd recently Interviewed Nancy Bauer, the Hayward legend and mother of Olympian John Bauer, documenting her life experiences on and off the trail and her ability to remain active while aging.