Jerome Poling | History and Tales of the American Birkebeiner

Registration required on library website.

Part of the 2026 Chippewa Valley Book Festival!

The American Birkebeiner between Hayward and Cable, Wis., is North America’s largest cross-country ski marathon and one of the largest in the world, with more than 10,000 competitors annually. How did founder Tony Wise fuel its rise from humble beginnings, with just 54 skiers in 1973? What keeps skiers, from weekend warriors to Olympians, coming back each February despite the extreme, 30-plus-mile challenge through the snow and hills of northern Wisconsin?

Attendees will be inspired by the fascinating history of the Birkebeiner and its visionary founder — one man’s dream that became the pride of two communities and the talk of the Nordic ski world — as well as the spirit of the race.

Special thanks to Mark Wise for supporting this program.

About the Author

JEROME P. “JERRY” POLING has published five books of nonfiction, his most recent American Birkebeiner: The Nation’s Greatest Ski Marathon, a race he has finished 25 times. The topics of his other works are baseball legend Henry Aaron, the Green Bay Packers and the history of UW-Stout. He also has published numerous magazine articles and poetry and worked as an adjunct university instructor. After a 30-year career in journalism as a reporter, editor and columnist, he moved into higher education as a communications manager. He has a B.S. in marketing from UW-La Crosse and an M.A. in English literature from UW-Eau Claire. He lives in Eau Claire.

Disclaimer(s)

If you need a sign language interpreter or other special accommodations, please notify Information & Reference (715-839-5004, [email protected]) at least 48 hours before the program.