Celebrating the Winners of the Virtual Birkie Photo Contest

The 2024 Canadian Birkie Ski Festival was truly one for the books.  The El Niño weather phenomenon may have posed a challenge for Birkie Saturday, but it failed to deter the enthusiasm of over 190 individuals who eagerly embraced the winter spirit by participating in this year’s Virtual Canadian Birkie!  We are thrilled to announce …

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Celebrating Cathy Schreiner: The Queen of Birkie

Cathy Schreiner has been a driving force behind the Canadian Birkie since its inception. She’s supported various roles, from General Manager to Info Girl, and all inbetween. And has always been a loyal supporter of the Birkie’s growth. Cathy’s devotion to the event is marked by her immense passion. “It went from a grassroots loppet …

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Behind the Birkie Scenes:  Chief of Course and the Trailblazers

What could possibly be more fun than a day at Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area? As a Birkie Trailblazer you generally start your day blasting tunes on your drive out to the Waskahegan Staging Area. You then get to experience the wonderful outdoor treasure of the Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. On your …

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Vikings’ Feast | Ukrainian Dance Ensemble 

The  Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is performing at the Vikings’ Feast this year on February 11th. Now in its 33nd year, Vohon is praised for its colourful diversity of talent, its amazing ability to transcend the traditional into new cultural landscapes, and its power to ignite the stage from the moment the curtain opens to the final Hopak!  The ensemble from Edmonton, Alberta, …

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Canadian Birkie | Why a Birkie Fundraiser for Ukraine?

For more than 25 years, east central Alberta and its distinct Ukrainian heritage has served as the start of the long races of the Canadian Birkebeiner at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. The spirit of Ukrainian hospitality has provided a place to get ready for the race – the Silska Domiwka Friends Hospitality Centre – …

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Behind the Birkie Scenes| Food Stations Volunteers on the Birkiebeiner Trail

You know your are truly blessed to work with Birkie volunteers when they say: “Monica, just put me in wherever you need me and I’ll be there! Many sign up to work in different areas. Each year more than 500 volunteers contribute their time and expertise to the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival. Over 1500 cross-country …

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2022 Birkie winner and Olympian Biathlete Nathan Smith lists five tips for participants

In 2022 Nathan Smith participated in the 55 km Madshus Birkie Lite. He finished in an amazing 2 hours and 29 minutes and winning the first place in the Madshus Birkie Lite. His accomplishments attracted our attention. Roberta Hyland, volunteer on the marketing team, had the honour to ask Nathan a few questions. What age did …

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Behind the Birkie Scenes | Chief of Food Stations

Each year more than 500 volunteers contribute their time and expertise to the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival. Over 1500 cross-country skiers enjoy the ski events our volunteers worked on. In “Behind the Birkie Scenes” you can read a bit more about our volunteers and the work that is involved with organising the festival.   Ross and …

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