The 51st American Birkebeiner was run this weekend, with a normal course, as opposed to last years man made course.

A loop of snow wasn’t too exciting for skiers, on what was the races 50th year in existence.

It wasn’t the usual level of fun, for both the skiers and the spectators.

“We were here last year which was absolutely bizarre when we were skiing the loops,” said Karin Zoll, a spectator. “We’re very excited that it’s a point-to-point course this year and that we’ll end up in Hayward. It’ll be fun. It makes spectating a whole lot different. Last year we could find a couple spots and just run between them and now this year we’ve got to get in the car and make our way between them.”

The trail was back to normal, and saw thousands of skiers get back to what they know best.

“Just being able to finish on Main Street and do the full course would be really cool,” said second time Birkie participant, Julia Langer. “I just like being out in the woods out in nature and it’s beautiful that it’s snowing today.”

Skiers did finish, and were incredibly complimentary of the course conditions this year.

“To the organizers. they did a really, really good job keeping it last year,” said Andrej Bemdsten, a participant. “I mean it was really a huge overtake just keeping a course going. We’re literally skiing in man-made snow next to like open grass fields so it was amazing and I went to pull that off.

“Conditions were good this year so good snow, fast snow, not too slow out there,” added Adrian Swanson, another participant.

So when it was all said and done, the Birkie was back to normal, and the magic was restored.

“It’s just the woods and the experience that we always say there’s something magical about the woods up in the Cable, Hayward area that just keeps bringing us back. When we can get here we want to be on the snow and ski,” concluded Zoll.