Alternate Plans for Birkie Activities

Mon, Jun  14, 2010 - By Birkie

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the doors of Telemark Lodge were closed. The Telemark Interval Owners Association (TIOA) is still working with potential buyers with the hope of selling the lodge and re-opening the doors. Although the doors are closed, the property, including the trails remain accessible.

As announced this Spring, we have developed a plan in the event that Telemark Lodge is not available for Birkie Pre-Race activities. These activities including bib pick-up, the skier expo, race information booth and Birkie clothing will be available in the large, well-lighted Hayward Middle School gymnasium starting at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, February, 24th and open all day Friday, February 25th.

The On-Snow Demo, Junior Birkie and Cheqtel 5/10K Family Fun Event will still take place on the Telemark property on Friday, February 25th. The Birkie, Kortelopet, and Prince Haakon 12K races on Saturday, February 26, will again start at the normal start area. The Kortelopet and Prince Haakon events will still finish at Telemark.

The Welcoming Ceremony will take place on Hayward's Main Street on Thursday, February 24th prior to the Barnebirkie. The Awards Ceremony will be held at the Hayward Middle School on the evening of Saturday, February 26th.

"We share a long history with Telemark and we are deeply saddened by the closure of the Lodge," said Ned Zuelsdorff, American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation Executive Director. "We are doing everything we can to reduce the impact on the race itself and will continue to work with the TIOA to use the outside property for the Birkie Trail Run & Trek events in September, the BirkieTour in January and many of the Birkie events in February. If the situation changes and the doors of Telemark re-open then we will return to Telemark if at all possible."