Birkie Training
Birkie Training
The Canadian Birkie is a Loppet, a recreational race of varying distances. Whether you aim to finish the 13 km Mini Birkie or improve your personal best time in the 55 km with pack, by training ahead you will have more fun reaching your personal goals. Grab a friend and start training.
Cross-Country Ski Training Programs
Fall Dryland & Winter Training – Registration Opens Soon!
Get ready for your best ski season yet with our expert-led training programs.
Fall Dryland Training: Build ski-specific fitness and technique through aerobic, strength, balance, and agility workouts—ideal prep before the snow falls. Register here
Winter Training: Improve your on-snow efficiency and technique while learning about equipment, waxing, nutrition, and race strategy. Sold out.
Open to experienced skiers (minimum 2 years of experience) with average to excellent fitness
Not suitable for beginners – check local ski clubs for intro-level programs
Training in Edmonton and surrounding ski areas
Saturday morning sessions with detailed location and equipment info provided upon registration
Birkie Cross-Country Ski Training
The Birkie Training Group Fall Dryland Session focuses on activities such as ski walking with proper classic ski technique, ski bounding, strength, core work, balance and stretching.
The Birkie Training Group Winter Session is aimed at those with at least two years of ski experience, and of average to advanced fitness, who are planning to ski a 13 km, 31 km or 55 km event.
Register for both Dryland and Winter Training and receive $50 dollar coupon toward your 2027 Birkie registration.
Register for Dryland Training, Winter Training, or sign up for both.
If you don’t live close enough to Edmonton to participate in a Birkie Training Group, check out your local ski club for their classes.
Find an Alberta Ski Club.
Find Ski Clubs across Canada.
Birkie Training Group Fall Dryland Session
Fall Dryland Training is a terrific way to kick off your fall fitness program AND prepare your mind and body for cross-country skiing!
Birkie Training Group Winter Session
The Birkie Training Group Winter Session is a perfect training if you are planning to ski a 13 km, 31 km or 55 km event.
Training Material and Ideas
- Double Poling: Birkie Program Instructor
- 23 Years and Counting Interview with Doug Wiens
- Tips for Your Summer Training from the WorldLoppet
- 5 Tips for Early Winter Training from the WorldLoppet
Cross-country ski technique videos: Nordic Ski Lab
Maximize Your Sports Performance Through Nutrition
How can proper nutrition enhance your athletic abilities? Consuming enough nutrients is vital for maintaining energy levels and minimizing the risk of injury during training and racing. By fuelling up with the right foods, you can take your sport performance to the next level and increase your ability to race faster and safer.
This guide was created for the Canadian Birkebeiner Society by Taylor Nutrition, Performance Dieticians.
