Expect friendly, helpful volunteers at food stations during the day. Stations are spaced about 8 to 10 km apart.  Each station has refreshments, medical support, portapotties, and a shuttle bus to the finish line if you have to stop. View the photo story to see a typical Birkie event.

Pack wax, water bottle, wind jacket and wind pants, sun screen, extra mitties, sugar treats in your pack or fanny pack. Be prepared for changing weather and waxing conditions.

Pack warm, dry clothes in a sports bag – you leave it at the start line and pick it up at the finish line. Remember to include dry socks, toque, and mitts so that you can enjoy the festival tent and finish line after your race is over. Change rooms are large, warm trailers near the clothing tent and finish line.

Expect to wait in line-ups. Give yourself more time to get to the start line in the morning than you think.  Everyone is trying to park, get skies waxed, line up for the portapotties, get packs weighed, and clothing bags organized all at the same time!

Expect hot coffee and muffins at the Red Barn before the 55 km and 31 km starts, and at the Festival Tent before Ole’s Tour and the 13 km Mini Birkie.

Expect awesome ski tracks – our great parks staff use a BR180 snow groomer when the base is deep enough.  Staff and volunteers use alpine snowmobiles and track-setting equipment in low snow years and early in the season.

Expect Gatorade, water and fruit at all stations, and soup, cookies and hot chocolate at halfway stations.  You don’t have to bring your own food or water, but if you are allergic to nuts or if you have special diet, please carry food that you can eat.

Expect to have fun with family and friends

• A big warm festival tent at the finish line “stadium” with lots of warm drinks, soup and hot dogs

• An efficient bus shuttle system to get you back to your vehicle after you finish

• An informal evening in the lounge at the host hotel to meet your friends and share your Birkie stories

• To sleep like a baby after a great day of skiing.