BIRKEBEINERRENNET COMES WITH A HEROIC TALE AND AN ADVENTUROUS COURSE
Like Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet has a long history and its origin stems from a heroic tale of courage and adventure. The story goes back to the harsh times of the 13th century when two fearless soldiers, birkebeiners, rescued a young prince and skied over the mountain fighting against the wild nature around them. This young prince, Haakon, later became the king, and to honor him and his rescuers all participants carry a 3.5 kg backpack symbolizing the weight of the precious cargo that the birkebeiners had on their backs on their adventurous journey.
Birkebeinerrennet has one of the most challenging courses in the Ski Classics Pro Tour. There is a long climb to the mountaintop at Raudfjellet with only one relatively short downhill section at 13 km. The second challenging uphill starts at 28 km, and after 40 km of “mountain skiing” skiers reach Sjusjøen and start their descent to Lillehammer. During the last 14 km, there is a 400-meter drop in elevation, and the finish is at the Olympic stadium.
Up Next in Ski Classics Season XVI 2024/25
-
Marcialonga Bodø XVI 50km, Bodø Norway
A brand-new Pro Tour event in Bodø, Norway!
On Saturday, March 22, 2025, the Ski Classics Pro Tour travels to a new destination in Norway. The brand-new Pro Tour event, Marcialonga Bodø, a 50-kilometer classic race, marks the 12th event of Season XVI.
Marcialonga Bodø, a Ski Classics Challenger...
-
Reistadløpet XVI 40km, Setermoen-Bard...
REISTADLØPET - A BREATHTAKING ADVENTURE ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
Reistadløpet race course profile is known as one of the hardest in Ski Classics. The race starts in Setermoen, which is in the municipality of Bardu in Norway, and goes through arctic landscapes and mountain tops before reaching the...
-
Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja XVI 60km,...
GRAND FINALE SUMMIT 2 SENJA
Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja is the 14th and final event of Season XVI, where the Pro Team athletes and their Pro Teams will be present to celebrate the end of the season on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
The 60-kilometer race starts in Bardufoss and ends in Finnsnes, passin...
