Bristlecone birkebeiner winter fest
ward mountain recreation area, north TRAILhead
January 17, 2026

The original Bristlecone Birkebeiner in Ely, Nevada ran from 1983-1993.  We brought this cross-country skiing event back to the community in 2014, but it was canceled due to lack of snow.  In 2015, we held our first successful event with a dusting of snow and four skiers and one trail runner!  This event has continued to grow and is now better than ever!  We have added trail running, for when there isn't enough snow to ski, as well as snowshoe and fat bike events!  Come join us for Nevada's longest running cross-country ski event in Nevada!
THIS YEAR'S EVENTS WILL BE SHORT AND LONG TRAIL RUN/HIKE AND FATTIRE BIKE RACE.
START TIMES:
8:00 AM: FAT TIRE BIKE
8:05 AM: LONG COURSE TRAIL RUN/HIKE
8:15 AM: SHORT COURSE TRAIL RUN/HIKE
KIDS BIRKE WINTER GAMES: 8 AM to END OF EVENT
CURRENT TRAIL UPDATE:
1/14/2026: 0-6 inches of snow on trails with more snow on north facing slopes and shaded areas. 90% snow cover. Be prepared for there to be snow cover on the trail run.
1/10/2026: There is 1 - 4 inches of snow on the short and long loops. Daytime high's are expected between 40-50F with no precipitation in the forecast. Prediction on race day will be patches of bare ground and snow making it a trail run/hike and fatbike/mountain bike event. 
1/7/2026: There is currently one inch of snow on the lower trails. Would assume about 3 inches on the fat tire bike course.

​SNOW EVENTS

long course cross-country ski

$40

Birkebeiner Loop - 4.1 miles
Race Start - 8:00 am

Short course cross-country ski

$30

Connector Trail to Birkebeiner Loop - 1.5 miles
​Race Start - 8:10 am

fat tire bike

$40

Birkebeiner, Atta Boy, Revenue, to Birkebeiner - 5.0 miles
Race Start - 8:30 am

snowshoe

$30

Connector Trail to Birkebeiner Loop - 1.5 miles
​Race Start - 8:35 am (immediately after fat bikes)

kIDS BIRKIE WINTER GAMES
*NEW*

$10

Sign your kids up for snow games and activities while you participate in one of the events. For ages 3 and up!
8:00 am to whenever the event ends (~10am)

Rental discount! sportsworld is offering THE FOllowing DISCOUNTS:

30% discount on purchase of new snowshoes, you will get one free cross country ski rental
​$5 1-day cross-country ski rental (pick up Friday, return Saturday)
$15 weekend cross-country ski rental (pick up Friday, return close of business Sunday)
$15 1-day snowshoe rental
$25 weekend snowshoe rental

no snow events

long course trail run

$40

Birkebeiner Loop - 4.1 miles
Race Start - 8:05 am

Short course trail run

$30

Connector Trail to Birkebeiner Loop - 1.5 miles
​Race Start - 8:15 am

fat tire/Mountain bike

$40

Birkebeiner, Atta Boy, Revenue, to Birkebeiner - 5.0 miles
Race Start - 8:00 am
There will be no same day registration for the cross-country, snowshoe, and fat tire events.  Everyone must register online. 
Kids can sign-up same day for the Kids Birkie Winter Games!
ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES
January 15 at 5PM!
​
PACKAGE PICKUP
Friday, January 16
Desert Mountain Realty
12 - 5pm
Any packets not picked up will be available race day morning at the start.

YOUR EXPERIENCE IS OUR GUARANTEE

Ely's weather is unpredictable!  The determination of snow or no snow events will be determined the morning of the event.  Frequently there is no snow until the night before the event.  We work closely with the BLM and Forest Service to ensure the trails are properly groomed for the event; however, when weather doesn't cooperate this can be very challenging.
If you register for a snow event and the weather does not work in your favor, you have three options: 1) change your registration to another Birkebeiner event, transfer to next year's Birkebeiner event, or transfer to another Ely Outdoor Enthusiasts' event.  Please email us at elyoutdoorenthusiasts@gmail.com within one week post event to transfer your registration.  Requests past one week will not be honored.
EVENT DETAILS AND RULES:
  • All events will go counter-clockwise on the course.
  • The course will be marked with flagging or signs approximately every 1/4 mile or where there is an area of possible confusion.
  • There are no aid stations on the courses.  There will be a water aid station at the finish line.  Please bring your own water on the course.  Please keep in mind that bladder hoses freeze in very cold temperatures.
  • Due to low participation, there will be no separate kids ski event.
  • All fat tire bike participants must wear a helmet.
  • Fat bikes must have tire widths >3 inches wide (only applies to snow event).
  • No electric bikes are allowed on the course. 
  • Fat bikes and snowshoes MUST stay out of the groomed cross-country ski track.
  • Skiers need to stay to the right of the course and fat bikes must stay to the left.  
  • Participants who are skiing or snowshoeing side-by-side must move to single-file if another participant approaches.
  • Slower fat bike participants must allow faster participants to pass them.  
  • Anyone passing needs to announce they need to pass when approaching and pass on the LEFT.
  • Fat bikes are required to stay 2 bike lengths behind other event participants until it is safe to pass.  
  • If two bikes are lined up waiting to pass another participant, they must stay in that order until after passing.  No trying to pass each other while passing another participant.
  • If you do not follow the exact course, you will be disqualified.
  • No pets are allowed on the course. Any pets at the finish line must be on a leash.
PLACING:
  • For all courses/events placing will be 1st female, 1st male, then 2nd and 3rd male or female.
  • A youth may sign up for an event; however, it is up to the parent to determine if they are capable of participating. We may ask that your child be accompanied by an adult on the course depending on the event and their age.

The COURSES:

Fire & ICe Winter Festival

The Bristlecone Birkebeiner is one of the many activities during Ely's Fire & Ice Winter Festival! 

ely outdoor enthusiasts