Purchasing proper equipment from cross-country skis to clothing is essential. Lightweight cross-country skis with good grip, glide and stability are popular points contestants look for when choosing their skis. The choice of clothing is based on concept of layers. It maybe cold at start of race, but how much you heat up depends mostly on our unpredictable Wisconsin weather. Don’t forget facial protection - Sunglasses or goggles! They help shield glare from sun reflecting off snow and minimize distraction of blustery winds and blowing snow. The Birkie Trail will be dotted with rest stations offering warm drinks, medical attention, and needed waxes.

The celebrating festivities begin Thursday, February 19 with opening ceremony and continue throughout weekend. Activities feature Winter Sport Expo, Ski Fair – On Snow Demo, Children’s Snowshoe Nature Hike, seminars and endless family fun. Other races held in conjunction with this exciting event are Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie (the world’s largest children’s cross country ski race), Cheqtel 10K (entire family fun), Junior Birkie 3K (ages 10-15) and Kortelopet 23K (ends at Telemark Resort). Visiting elite skiers and all outdoor enthusiasts are sure to have a great time!

For more on Where to go & What to do in Wisconsin, check out http://www.WisconsinGuide.com

We enjoyed dinner at Great Wolf's Loose Moose Bar and Grill. It was a decent menu where you could enjoy anything from sandwiches to prime rib. You could even try and elk burger. While dining, some of our younger group members were pleasantly greeted by lodges own furry mascots, Biko Bear and Wiley Wolf.

After dinner, a walk through bakery across hall made us almost forget how much we had already eaten. It would be hard to go down water slides tonight, though some of us did try it. We then checked out Buck Horn Exchange gift shop where we looked for souvenirs to remind of us our stay.

For those not up for water rides that afternoon, they could enjoy time at Great Wolf's Cameo Spa and Salon where you could get your hair done or have a nice massage. If you felt like working off some of your meal, you could check out Iron Horse fitness room also located in lodge.

The next morning we were treated by my Mom for a breakfast brunch in one of Great Wolf's private party rooms. It was a nice buffet setup with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and muffins, The kids were then surprised by a visit by Santa Claus who was also around lodge that weekend. He brought gifts to a lot of smiling faces.

The group then went on an old fashioned hay-ride where a tractor pulled everyone around outside of resort to view Elk and other wildlife. We were joined by Wiley Wolf who I suspect was looking for some stray elk.

There was way too much to see and do for just a weekend stay. The best part was being able to enjoy everything right at resort and not have to go elsewhere for food and entertainment. A lot of times I find a hotel room is just for sleeping, but it was nice being close to water park and activities. It was a perfect alternative for a winter getaway.

For more on Where to go & What to do in Wisconsin, check out http://www.WisconsinGuide.com