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February 5, 2026, Canadian Birkebeiner - Medium Range Wax Recommendation

We are still more than a week away from the 2026 Birkie. Forecast specifics that far in advance are not particularly reliable, however some trends have emerged across the models. 

https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/park/ca/alberta/elk-island-national-park/14-days

Josh Classen says that although the warm spell will continue, the warmest days are now behind us. It’s looking like warmer-than-average conditions will persist through to about mid-month. There continue to be signs of a cool down sometime around Feb 14-16 (just in time for the Birkie), but it’s unclear just how much colder it might get. 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/edmonton/article/edmonton-weather-heading-for-a-record-today-as-warm-spell-peaks/

Although the tracks may be very icy at the moment, temperatures should be below zero next week, which will allow the groomers to grind up the ice. 

FORECAST:

Normal temperatures for this year’s Birkie weekend are:

Overnight low:  -14

Daytime high:  -5

The long range forecast is projecting approximately in this range. However, the days leading up to the race are much warmer and things could change depending on when the temperature drops. 

Recommendations as the forecast stands are below.

GLIDE:

Waxing for glide should be straightforward.

Good options may include:

• Star Next Med
• Rode RL/RXL Mid
• Rex G/NF 21 or RG 22

For the long distance races (30km/55km), you might want to consider a base liquid first. Good options would include Star Next Durable or Vauhti Polar.  

GRIP:

The existing snow pack has gone through many freeze/thaw cycles over the past several days, which means it is very transformed. There is no significant snow in the forecast, and it is reasonable to assume that grip waxes with some klister content will be necessary. 

For example:

• Star Beta M21
• Rex N21 or N41

You can read more about these waxes here:  Star Beta M-Series

Rex PowerGrip blue would also be a very good option. The PowerGrip waxes have incredible durability in extremely transformed snow. 

If the tracks are exceptionally glazed, straight klister may be necessary. Given the wide range of conditions throughout the course, wide-ranging, tolerant universals klisters will be the safest, for example Rex/Swix/Rode

Base Binder:

As is always the case for the Birkie, a strong binder will be a must-have to ensure longevity of your grip wax. This is especially the case given this year’s conditions. 

Our preferred option for hardwax conditions is normally Vauhti Super Base. 

However, based on the evolution of the snow, for this year a klister binder will be necessary. Swix Spray Klister Binder (KB20) or Vauhti KS Liquid Base Klister would be good choices. 

UPCOMING RECOMMENDATIONS:

We will release our final recommendation Wednesday, February 11.

January 26, 2026, Canadian Birkebeiner - Long Range Wax Recommendation

WARNING:

Take everything you are about to read with a grain of salt. We are still three weeks away from the 2026 Birke and no forecast is yet reaching that far. So it is important to focus on the trends, rather than specifics. 

Long range forecast

FORECAST:

Normal temperatures for this year’s Birkie weekend are:

Overnight low:  -14, Daytime high:  -5

The long range forecast (at least as long as it currently goes) is in that vicinity. There are some days around zero degrees, but it doesn’t look like there will be significant melting.. Things are looking good. 

GLIDE:

Waxing for glide should be straightforward. Good options may include:

• Star Next Cold
• Rode RL/RXL Cold
• Rex G/NF 21 or RG 22

For the long distance races (30km/55km), you might want to consider a base liquid first. Good options would include Star Next Durable or Vauhti Polar.  

GRIP:

With the forecast temperatures and snow conditions, finding grip shouldn’t be a problem. It will be a matter of deciding which grip wax is running the fastest while still providing the necessary kick. 

Base Binder:

As is always the case for the Birkie, a strong binder will be a must-have to ensure longevity of your grip wax. Our preferred option for hardwax conditions is always Vauhti Super Base. This binder is unmatched for both speed and durability. 

If you are concerned about durability, you might consider a klister binder. Swix Spray Klister Binder (KB20) or Vauhti KS Liquid Base Klister would be good choices. 

Kick Wax:

The Birkie course can be misleading. You will often hear people talk about how flat it is. But don’t believe it! There are plenty of hills to climb and it can be a long day if you don’t have enough kick. 

Probable options for kick will include:

• Rex Green
• Rex Blue
• Rode B310
• Rode B17
• Swix VP30
• Swix VP40
• Etc. 

Lots of cold waxes should provide enough kick. The trick will be figuring out which one is the fastest. 

If the classic tracks are presenting as icy, glazed, or transformed, this will be a perfect opportunity to make use of the Star M-Series kick waxes. These are hardwax/klister blends for old, transformed, and artificial snow when standard kickwax isn’t delivering the kick you need.

We'll post further updates as we get closer!

January 14

Snow was late to arrive this season, but when it did, it really did. Then followed some cold conditions, and now as of writing warm conditions. This means lots of transformation in the snow with the freeze/thaw cycles, and can pose difficult waxing conditions. Klister of course can work well in these conditions for grip, but there's another kick wax category that's great in older transformed snow - hardwax-klister mixes. Here's some great info from Patrick Moore on Star's Beta M-series.

Keep your eye on more updates & Birkie waxing advice in the coming weeks.