American Birkebeiner: The Nation's Greatest Ski Marathon

An exhilarating behind-the-scenes journey into the history of America's largest cross-country ski race

Each February, cross-country skiers from across the nation and around the world descend upon the sleepy northern Wisconsin town of Hayward to compete in the American Birkebeiner--the largest cross-country ski race in North America. In American Birkebeiner: The Nation's Greatest Ski Marathon, author and skier Jerome P. Poling traces the remarkable history of the famed "Birkie," from its modest origins in the early 1970s to its modern incarnation as an international Nordic-themed festival and multi-day racing event drawing more than 30,000 skiers and spectators.

American Birkebeiner offers an up-close, behind-the-scenes tour of all things Birkie--from pre-race preparations and skier profiles to race-day highlights and history-making finishes. It also tells the story of visionary race founder Tony Wise and his efforts to popularize the sport of cross-country skiing in the Upper Midwest. The book delves into the origin and evolution of the world-class Birkebeiner Trail and the communities that support it, as well as the ways the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is adapting to climate change to help ensure the event thrives for years to come.

American Birkebeiner sparks with lively, narrative-driven prose and is based on extensive archival research, reporting, and personal interviews. The lavishly illustrated book also features 150 photographs, including intimate portraits of athletes pushed to the limits of their endurance, sweeping aerial shots of skiers and cheering crowds, and awe-inspiring winter vistas. An exquisitely crafted ode to an extraordinary race, American Birkebeiner will inspire winter sports fans and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Author: Jerome P. Poling
Publisher: Wisconsin Historical Society Press
Published: 10/21/2025
Pages: 368
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.03lbs
Size: 9.25h x 7.40w x 0.98d
ISBN: 9781976600531

About the Author
Journalist and author Jerome "Jerry" P. Poling has skied more than twenty American Birkebeiners and has reported on the race for more than thirty years. He has published four other books, including two on the Green Bay Packers, one on Henry Aaron, and one on the history of the University of Wisconsin at Stout. He lives in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.