A few short years ago, Dorothy Ball of Manitoba never thought of herself as an endurance athlete. Now, she is training for the Canadian Virtual Birkie, 55km with pack Torskeklubben Birkebeiner. “The Birkie” has been on her bucket list, and with travel constraints, the Virtual Birkie option presented the perfect opportunity. “I just turned 40 …
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Life-long nordic skier Karen Van der Meer and family have been long-time supporters of the Canadian Birkebeiner. For the Van der Meer family, cross country skiing, and the Canadian Birkebeiner, are truly a family affair. “Our family loves skiing the long distances and everyone has a different goal and strategy” Karen explains. “Some love being …
The Birkie has become a very important part of our winter since 2004. For 10 years Randy skied the 55km event carrying a 5.5 kg pack. That represented the weight of Prince Haakon. Several skiers would strap on a stuffed animal to represent the baby. Randy had a bear with a Viking helmet. Sadly the …
Curtis and Kim, father and daughter, were out on the trails in Cooking Lake – Blackfoot PRA last Saturday. Curtis has been skiing for many years already. He even has many stamps of loppets in his Worldloppet Passport. In 2019 he skied the 70km Marcialonga in Italy. He always kept the wish to cross-country ski, …
“My favourite Birkie memory is racing the 31 km with a bunch of friends.” Maya MacIsaac – Jones skied on the Canadian Senior National Team from 2016 to 2019, She was also on the Canadian Junior National Team from 2011 to 2015. Maya is now training with the Alberta World Cup Academy, a National Training …
A number of years ago, possibly 2010 or earlier when the Edmonton Journal was a sponsor, John Lucas was the lead photographer who was assigned to photograph the Birkie. He did so well that one of his photos became the front page the day following the event. The photo was of a Viking on skis …
Trailgroomers having fun in the sun and SNOW today in Birkieland! There are about 25 Trail Blazers who work in small groups to cut back shrubs, move debris and make trail improvements with Alberta Parks staff.
Canadian Birkebeiner Society represented at the River’s Edge Ultra. TRAIL junkies checked out our Birkie display. Go trail runners!!
Eight Birkie volunteers ran our busy aid station at the Tour de l’Alberta bike race! Way to help out!!! They gave out tourtière, sandwiches, crepes and fruit at the Miquelon Lake rest stop. Thanks for being the best year-round volunteers rain, snow or shine!
Keeping the ski legs primed out at Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area!! Our Birkie skiers are taking advantage of the summer months to prepare for the 2020 Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival. #CdnBirkie