This weekend, the Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII continues with Birkebeinerrennet on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Check here for the program, start lists, start times, and where to watch.

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 53-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, the Raudfjellet (Iconic Climb), 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.

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.

Also Read: All you need to know ahead of Birkebeinerrennet Season XVII

Map & Profile

Birkebeinerrennet – Ski Classics Pro Tour Event 10

• Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
• Location: Rena-Lillehammer, Norway
• Distance: 53km 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

SC Play

On SC Play, you can watch the event live with English commentary from 7:35 CET, with Kjell-Erik Kristiansen as a host and Carl Fredrik Hagen as an expert commentator.

Kjell-Erik Kristiansen and Carl Fredrik Hagen will lead the viewers through this Saturday’s broadcast on SC PLAY (in English). 

SC PLAY – WATCH BIRKEBEINERRENNET HERE

The SC Play app is available to download for iOS, Android, and Apple TV. You can watch it on your television, mobile device, and computer. SC Play is part of the SC Ski Community and is accessible to all members on news sites ProXCskiing.com, Langd.se, Langrenn.com, Maastohiihto.com, and Bezky.net. 

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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 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. 

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

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, 53km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Valnesfjord, 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

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