Cross-country ski festival rooted in centuries-old legend is underway

Cross-country skiers begin the race at the Canadian Birkie Ski Festival in a supplied, undated photo.

Hundreds of skiers are gathering for the 40th Canadian Birkie Ski Festival in Strathcona County over the weekend.

The event, taking place in Cooking Lake Blackfoot Recreation Area, features seven cross-country ski events with tracks ranging from seven kilometres to 55 kilometres.

Some of the events require the skier to wear a backpack to simulate the Norwegian legend dating back to 1206.

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The legend says two skiers were tasked to bring the infant prince, Haakon Haakonson, back home after he was lost in Lillehammer.

Two Birkebeiner warriors rescued the prince and traveled 55 kilometres by ski over two mountain ranges in the harsh winter, carrying him through treacherous terrain where he later became king and ended the civil war.

Delia Meehorst, vice-president of the Canadian Birkebeiner Society, told CTV News Edmonton her team had been planning the weekend skiing event since early autumn.

“We have a big community of cross country skiers from Alberta, and outside of Alberta,” Meehorst said on Friday. “The whole event will be around 1,400 (skiers) … I can’t wait to be at the starting line tomorrow.”

One tradition for the Birkebeiner festival is to host a Nordic fair to ring in the event and having a baby figuratively wave the checkered flag to begin the race.

“(My grandson) will be at the beginning of the race to send off all the skiers, and he’ll be waiting for them at the end of the race,” said skier Judy Van Haren. “Hopefully he meets me at the end.”

The event garners interest globally, with two Polish skiers coming to the event with an ulterior motive.

“It’s a big challenge, and we want to check our skills and the condition and then prepare for marriage,” said skier Luch Niak. “After this race, if we (are) still together, we will (stay) together for the rest of (our) lives.”

The cross-country ski festival runs until Sunday. More information is available online.