This weekend, the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII continues with Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Here is all the information you need to know before the legendary Grand Classics event.

Birkebeinerrennet

The Ski Classics Pro Tour returns to Norway on Saturday for the tenth stage of the season: Birkebeinerrennet, the last Grand Classics event of Season XVII and one of the most historic long-distance races in the sport.

The 54-kilometer journey from Rena to Lillehammer is a defining challenge of the season, combining long climbs, open mountain terrain, and a finish rich in Olympic heritage.

First held in 1932, the Birkebeinerrennet commemorates the dramatic rescue of infant Prince Haakon Haakonsson in 1206, when two Birkebeiner warriors skied across the mountains to secure his safety. In honor of this journey, all participants carry a 3.5kg backpack throughout the race.

The symbolism, combined with the demanding course profile, has made Birkebeinerrennet one of the most respected and culturally significant events on the Ski Classics Pro Tour calendar.

A demanding and historic route across the mountains

The course climbs steadily from the start in Rena, with 1059 meters of elevation gain and a highest point of 906 meters above sea level. After the opening ascent, skiers are rewarded with expansive views over Norway’s winter landscape before facing the long second climb and the fast, technical descent into Lillehammer’s Olympic stadium.

Also Read – Birkebeinerrennet: The final Grand Classics event of Season XVII

The event often plays a decisive role in both the women’s and men’s overall standings, and as the final Grand Classics event of the season, the pressure on athletes and Pro Teams will be at its peak.

Map & Profile

Birkebeinerrennet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 10

• Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
• Location: Rena-Lillehammer, Norway
• Distance: 54km Classic Technique
• Start Time: 7:45 CET Men & 8:00 CET Women
• Climbs: 20km Raudfjellet (Iconic Climb) and 34km Midtfjellet
• Highest Point: 906m
• Elevation Gain: 1059m
• Last Edition Winners: Stina Nilsson (2:44:48.1) and Andreas Nygaard (2:20:15.2)
• SC Play: Birkebeinerrennet

More information about Birkebeinerrennet can be found HERE

Birkebeinerrennet program, start lists, live timing, and live streaming on SC Play can be found HERE and HERE

Ski Classics Live Sessions

On Wednesday, March 11, the Live Sessions with Pro Team athletes ahead of Birkebeinerrennet will be broadcast live on the streaming platform SC Play from 15:00 CET.

Ski Classics Live Sessions is a live-streamed press conference format where journalists, fans, sponsors, and community members can meet top athletes and key figures before every Pro Tour weekend. The stream is available live and on demand to the entire Ski Classics community.

WATCH HERE ON SC PLAY

Important names of the Ski Classics Pro Tour are taking part in the Live Sessions today.

Iconic Climbs

The Iconic Climbs give some extra spark to the most challenging climbs in Ski Classics. For Season XVII, there will be four Iconic Climbs. The second Iconic Climb is Raudfjellet, the first long hill in Birkebeinerrennet.

The Iconic Climb, launched during Season XIV, is a category in the Ski Classics points table. The category is used for the most iconic climbs of Ski Classics.

The idea for the Iconic Climb category is that all climbs differ: some are tougher, and some have more history. Ski Classics wants to increase interest in the climbs and reward the strongest athletes slightly more.

The Iconic Climb points are 50% higher than 100% points Climb. Winners get 45 instead of 30 points in the Climb competition.

For Season XVII, there will be four Iconic Climbs. First, it is up to Cascata, the last hill to Cavalese in Marcialonga. The second Iconic Climb is Raudfjellet, the first long hill in Birkebeinerrennet.

The third is the Orta climb in Reistadløpet, and finally, the Magdaskaret Iconic climb, in the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja.

Grand Classics

The Grand Classics are the four most significant and prestigious events in Ski Classics: Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet. The skier who wins all four events in the same season completes a Grand Slam.

During Season XI, the Grand Classics events and the Grand Slam were introduced in Ski Classics. The concept was an immediate success and a great motivation among the best Ski Classics Pro Team athletes. Nobody has completed a Grand Slam in the history of long-distance skiing.

A key moment in the final phase of Season XVII

As the last Grand Classics of the season, Birkebeinerrennet carries significant weight in the overall standings and often plays a decisive role in the fight for the Yellow, Green, Pink, and Climb bibs. With its blend of heritage, demanding terrain, and strong cultural identity, it represents one of the signature events of long-distance skiing.

Skiers, spectators, and fans following the Pro Tour can expect a memorable day as the Pro Teams cross the mountains between Rena and Lillehammer, continuing one of Norway’s most enduring winter traditions.

Read More: Birkebeinerrennet – Why carry a backpack?

Ski Classics Fantasy

The Ski Classics Fantasy League for Season XVII is underway. Manage your own Fantasy Team, win prizes, and compete for the Fantasy Champion title.

SKI CLASSICS FANTASY – PLAY HERE

All TV Channels Season XVII

Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics Pro Tour events this winter:

• SC Play – Worldwide (English commentary)
• SVT – Sweden
• NRK – Norway
• Warner Bros. Discovery – Finland
• Sporty TV – Czech Republic
• TVP – Poland
• Servus TV – Austria/Germany/Switzerland
• beIN Sports – Canada/USA
• Fox Sports – Australia
• TRT – Turkey
• TV3 Baltic – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries.

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com

Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus