Awards

Nominations for the 2024 Ole Hovind and Founders & Builders Award are now open! Nominations will close on April 30.

Submit Your Nomination Now!

The Canadian Birkebeiner has established some special awards over our long history.  Here are the unique ones.

Haakon Haakonsson Award

This award is exclusive to the Canadian Birkebeiner and awards skiers who have skied in the Norwegian, American and Canadian Birkebeiner long distance events. Skiers from all over Canada, many from the USA, and other international skiers have won this award. More

Red, Blue and Purple Coloured Bibs

People who have skied the 55 km Birkie ski event 30, 20 or 10 times wear red, blue or purple cloth bibs respectively. When you see one of these bibs, be sure to say congratulate the person. Click here for more information.

Ole Hovind Award

The Ole Hovind Award is presented annually to the skier who best represents the spirit of the Birkebeiner and the things which Ole Hovind valued – skiing for the sheer joy of it, having fun, joking a lot, achieving something and just getting out there and doing it.  More

John Toonen Memorial Award

The John Toonen Memorial Award was donated by John’s wife, Margaret, and is presented to the oldest skier in a 55 km (with pack or lite) event. More

Founders and Builders Award

The Founders’ and Builders’ Award is presented to an individual who worked to create the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival and/or who has been a key contributor to growing this event over the years. More

Kankkunen Cup

This new trophy celebrates life-long participation in skiing and competition by recognizing the oldest skier to complete in a non-55 km event.  The trophy honours the dedication of the entire Kankkunen family to skiing in general and to the Birkie in particular. More

Most KM Group Award

Sign up your office, department or non-profit for the Most KM Skied Group Award. Select this award on your registration, enter your group name and we will enter your team to be eligible to win the most kilometres completed by a group award. More