February 2, 2006 – It’s the largest cross-country ski marathon in North America. Itís been called the “Greatest Show on Snow.” Itís the culmination of months of preparations by organizers and skiers alike.

And this year it’s a celebration of the 800th anniversary of the Norwegian legend that inspired the 51-kilometer ski marathon. Every February, 9,000 skiers join the colorful pageantry of the American Birkebeiner in Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin. While 6,500 skiers set their sights on the American Birkiebeiner and Kortelopet ski races, another 2,500 are bound for the shorter races and events that pepper the three-day event from Thursday, February 23 through Saturday, February 25.

Making the 9,000 skiers and 15,000 spectators happy is important to businesses in Hayward, Cable and the surrounding area. A Wisconsin Department of Tourism survey during Birkie 2000 found that skiers spend an average of $145.62 per person, per day. They stay an average of 2.9 nights spending time and money at local restaurants, retail outlets, regional attractions, and hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns.

It totals up to an estimated $4 million in five days.