American Birkebeiner

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. A significant portion of our effort focuses on young skiers. To this end the Foundation annually provides grant funding to young skier programs.

Priorities of the Young Skier Grant Program include, but are not limited to the creation and expansion of young cross country ski programs and also to those submitting applications for the first time.

To date the American Birkebeiner has awarded over $190,000 to programs across the United States.

The American Birkebeiner® Ski Foundation awarded 19 - 2011/2012  Young Skier Development grants totaling $15,000 to the following Young Skier Programs:

• Bay Area Youth Nordic Ski Club
• Brainerd Nordic Ski Club
• Chequamegon Area Nordic Ski Club
• Crested Butte Nordic Ski Team
• Drummond Area Nordic Ski Youth League
• Drummond Telemarkers Nordic Ski Team
• Duluth Denfield Nordic Ski Team
• Five Hawks Elementary School
• Iola Winter Sports Club
• Jackson Community Education
• Mesabi East/Virginia/Eveleth-Gilbert Junior Nordic Ski Club
• Minnesota Youth Ski League-Giants Ridge Chapter
• Prairie's Edge Nordic Ski Club
• Rice Lake Nordic Association
• Ski Shell Lake
• Snowflake Junior Ski Club
• Superiorland Ski Club
• Winona Youth Ski Team
• YWCA of the Coulee Region
• Wilderness Wildcats, Wattsburg, PA

In addition, $1,000 is provided each year to the Hayward High School and Middle School cross country ski teams.

Grant applications were received from 52 cross-country ski organizations.
 

Please note that many of the companies producing skis, boots and poles work with local dealers to provide discount deals for Junior skier teams and programs. Check with your local dealers to find out if they can provide Young Skier equipment discounts.

You are welcome to review the application for the current year.  The application for the 2012 season will be available on June 1st, 2012.

Young Skier Program grant applications for 2012/2013 must be emailed to birkie@birkie.com by no later than Friday, September 28, 2012.