The Wells Gray Birchleg is not dead.
Wells Gray Outdoor Club recently decided to take on organizing the event.
The 15th annual Wells Gray Birchleg will be held Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Candle Creek Trails in Clearwater.
Murtle River Nordics, which had sponsored the event for its first 14 seasons, announced last February that it would no longer take on the job. Reason given was that organizers Ellen and Kelly Ferguson were stepping down and couldn’t find anyone to replace them
In previous years the Birchleg has been held on the Loppet trails in Wells Gray Park.
The event commemorates an epic ski trip by Vikings carrying a baby prince to safety over the mountains. It is loosely modelled after the Birkebeiner long distance ski marathon held in Norway.
The local Birchleg is basically a fun family event. Participants dress in Viking garb and have their choice of easy, moderate or more difficult cross-country courses to ski.
