A popular ski event hosted in Strathcona County has been cancelled this year.
On February 1, the Canadian Birkebeiner Society announced that they would be cancelling the main event for the Canadian Birkie due to a lack of snowfall.
This event, which has been running since 1985, brings in more than 1,000 participants each year. According to the society, this decision was in the works for months as officials paid attention to the warm winter weather.
Skiers who bought the Secure Your Spot Insurance can register at next year’s event for free, while all participants will have the opportunity to attend their virtual Birkie.
This virtual competition will have athletes completing a distance race before uploading their results online. There is also the opportunity for athletes to upload pictures of themselves dressed as Vikings to enter a draw.
Although the main event has been cancelled, the Barnebirkie Family Ski will still be happening in Edmonton on February 11.
The Full Moon Birkie is also still going on near the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area on February 24.
