Age Limits

Course Difficulty

The Canadian Birkie Ski Festival takes place in the Beaver Hills UNESCO Biosphere, an unique and special environment with gently rolling terrain. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area has 170 km of trails of which the Birkie uses approximately 75 km. See the detailed winter trail maps along with Alberta Parks’ latest trail conditions.

Age Limits

The Canadian Birkebeiner Society follows Nordiq Canada’s suggested age limits. The Birkie Saturday ski events take place in a remote area. Our organization provides directional signs, about 50 ski patrollers, 10 food stations, and 25 medical attendants along the way. Safety for our skiers, volunteers and spectators is our number one priority. The age limits below are a critical part of safety management.

Birkie Saturday

55 km with or without pack

  • Children 2-11 years of age are not allowed.
  • Youth 12-17 years of age are not recommended and must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

31 km

  • Children 2-11 years of age are not allowed.
  • Youth 12-17 years of age are not recommended and must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

13 km

  • Children 2-7 years of age are not allowed.
  • Children 8-11 years of age must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian.

7 km

  • Children 8-11 years of age must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian.
  • Children under age 8 years of age must be in a backpack or pulled in a pulk/sled.

Birkie Sunday (Barnebirkie)

500 m, 2 km, 4 km

  • Children 2-7 years of age must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian.

Full Moon Birkie

  • Children 2-7 years old are not recommended and must be accompanied by an adult guardian.
  • Children 8-11 years of age must be registered with and accompanied by an adult guardian.
  • Youth and adults 12-100 years of age must ski with at least one other person.