Waxing Tips for Birkebeineren 2026

Track report Birken 2026 updated today 14.03.26 07:00AM:

It is -2°C at Sjusjøen and -4.5°C at Raudfjellet. Some drifting snow in exposed areas.

Option 1 with VP50 works well in the mountain sections. It is a bit slippery from the start, but provides grip from Dølfjellet.

Option 2 is slightly slippery during the first kilometers, but you gain grip early once you enter the forest. This option works well across the mountain.

Option 3 works from the start and can also be used across the mountain, but provides poorer glide where it is dry. There is a risk of some icing where it is dry. It is important that the klister is applied THINLY and covered with VP50.

There is drifting snow in the tracks in exposed areas.

Waxing Tips for the Birkebeinerrennet, Saturday

The recommendation is based on weather forecasts, testing and previous experience. Updated Friday 13.03.26 at 11:00.

WEATHER and TEMPERATURES

(based on information from yr.no)

Weather forecast for Saturday 14.03.26

It is currently snowing heavily in the mountains. Conditions vary from dry snow at higher elevationsto more humid snow in the lower areas. In Lillehammer and Rena there is sleet and rain. This combinationwill make it challenging to achieve good grip using the same product throughout the entire course.These are very challenging waxing conditions.

We must base the waxing recommendation on the weather forecast, but at the same time there are severalfactors that remain uncertain. Wind, humidity and whether the temperature stays on the right side.

STRUCTURE

Stone ground skis: Medium structure

Swix Riller: 1mm straight roller with medium pressure on the back of the ski.

GLIDE – Option 1 (Racing)

Swix DHFF White Marathon, ironed in with a waxing iron. Let cool and iron in one more time.Let cool, scrape and brush with steel or brass brush (T179/T162/)

Then apply Swix PF35 WC powder. Iron in with waxing iron at 160ºC.Let cool, scrape and brush with steel or brass brush (T179/T162/).Finish by polishing the base with a Swix T160 blue polishing brush.

GLIDE – Option 2 (Tour)

Spray on Swix HS07L Liquid. It may be beneficial to use a T21 felt cork for application.Spray on the felt and apply across the ski, allow it to dry indoors. When the product has dried,

the product can be brushed with a blue or red nylon brush (T160/T190).We recommend having a hard glide wax as a base, for example Swix HS06.

KICK – Option 1 for early starters

You will most likely not achieve good grip before passing Skramstad,but you will have skis that perform well across the mountains in the fresh snow.

Roughen the kick zone well with sandpaper #100 (Swix T330 or T0011).

Iron in one layer of VG35 base wax with waxing iron.

Then iron in one layer of V30 Blue. This wax should only cover the base wax.

Apply 2–3 thin layers of VP40. Cork lightly between each layer.

Apply 3–4 thin layers of VP50. Cork lightly between each layer.

KICK – Option 2

You will most likely not achieve good grip from the start, but earlier than with option 1.There is also a risk of icing in the mountains.

Roughen the kick zone well with sandpaper #100 (Swix T330 or T0011).

Iron in one layer of VG35 base wax with waxing iron.

Then iron in one layer of V30 Blue. This wax should only cover the base wax.

Apply 1–2 thin layers of VP50. Cork lightly between each layer.

Apply 2–3 thin layers of VP70. Cork well and smooth between each layer.

Finish with one thin layer of VP50. Cork lightly. This should only cover the VP70 and not be mixed.We recommend cold skis and cold wax when covering.

KICK – Option 3 For those who want secure grip from the start

With this option it is possible to achieve grip from the start, but there is also a high riskthat it will ice in the mountains. You must expect to stop, scrape and apply wax againonce you reach higher elevation.

Roughen the kick zone well with sandpaper #100 (Swix T330 or T0011).

Iron in one layer of VG35 base wax with waxing iron, alternatively KB20 klister spray.

Apply one layer of KX35N Blue Extra Klister. It is important to make this even.

Finish by covering the klister with two thin layers of VP50. Cork lightly between each layer.The wax should only cover the klister and not be mixed. We recommend cold skis and cold waxwhen covering.

Remember to bring a good scraper, cork and extra wax in your backpack.

Follow our website for an update of the grip recommendation tomorrow morning no later than 07:00.

SKIN SKIS

If you are skiing on skin skis we recommend applying N21 Swix Skin Boostto increase the skin’s glide and grip properties.

If you have well used skin skis with a dirty skin, we recommend cleaning the skinwell with Swix N22 and then impregnating the skin with N20 Swix Skin Impregnationbefore applying N21 Boost.

Enjoy your trip and good luck.

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