![Birkie 2012 Champion Tad Elliott leads local Hayward High School Nordic Ski Team to Torch Lighting at start of 2014 Birkie Week](http://fasterskier.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/08/Birkie-SkierDevoProgram.jpg")
HAYWARD, Wisconsin (August 3, 2014) – The mission of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is to promote cross country skiing as a fun, energetic activity that is part of an active and healthy lifestyle. This effort focuses both on youth and adult skiers.
To this end the Birkie Foundation annually provides grant funding opportunities to skier development programs throughout the nation. We encourage any cross country ski organization to apply.
Priorities of the Skier Development Grant Program include, but are not limited to the following:
- The creation of new or expansion of existing cross country ski programs;
- First time program applicants with solid, sustainable plan; and
- Programs that can demonstrate an ability to promote the Birkie mission and lifestyle in their communities.
To date, the American Birkebeiner has awarded over $350,000 to cross country ski programs across the United States.
Deadline for all applicants is September 1, 2014, with awards made by October 1, 2014.
For additional information and applications, please visit the Skier Development Grant Program page of the Birkie website.
Thanks to Our Sponsors, including SWIX, Title Sponsor of the American Birkebeiner Skate Race and Birkie Week ski events, Feb. 19-22, 2015, as well as FITS, New Moon Ski & Bike, Gu Energy, Hammer Nutrition, Marshfield Clinic – Hayward Center, Timber Ford of Hayward, and dozens of other businesses, organizations, and professional services.
SKI . RUN . BIKE . LIVE! The Birkie is a year-round lifestyle choice for thousands of outdoor fitness enthusiasts of all levels. From its signature ski race–the legendary American Birkebeiner–The Birkie has grown into an exciting array of fitness and recreational opportunities. The 107-kilometer Birkie Trail system attracts skiers, runners, bikers, trekkers, and hikers, from casual day-trippers to elite superstars. Located near Hayward and Cable, Wisconsin, the Birkie is now an outdoor sports mecca, a series of great races, a fitness destination, and a lifestyle. Ski . Run . Bike . Live!
