The survey revealed that skiers of the 51K American Birkebeiner and 23K Kortelopet ski races are an upscale, educated group who spent an average of $145.62 per person, per day during their average 2.9-night stay. Participants' average age is 43 with annual household incomes in the $21,000-$40,000 range for 10.8 percent of respondents, $41,000-$60,000 range for 25.1 percent of respondents, $61,000-$80,000 range for 24.2 percent of respondents, and $81,000 or more for 38 percent of respondents.

Nearly 90 percent of all non-local visitors and 100 percent of local visitors rated their overall Birkie experience as excellent or very good.

"This survey was helpful in confirming many of our hunches about Birkie and Kortelopet skiers, where they stay, and what kind of experience they are searching for and getting while they are in northern Wisconsin," said Cherie Morgan, executive director of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation. "It is helpful information for the Foundation as well as for area businesses who are trying to meet the needs of skiers."

Businesses interested in survey results are encouraged to contact the Birkie office.

Morgan said the survey revealed that Birkie participants use the Internet and the Foundation's Birch Scroll magazine to get up-to-date information about the race. That knowledge has resulted in an expanded Birkie web site with regular updates and wider distribution of the Birch Scroll magazine.

"One of the goals of the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation is to encourage all age groups to adopt healthy lifestyles including cross country skiing," Morgan said. "The Wisconsin Department of Tourism survey helps us build on that mission by providing feedback about how we can better serve skiers of all levels participating in the 51K American Birkebeiner, 23K Kortelopet, Elite Sprints, Citizen Sprints, Junior Birkie or children's Barnebirkie."

The 2001 Johnson Bank American Birkebeiner will take place on Saturday, February 24. For more information or to register for the 51K American Birkebeiner, 23K Kortelopet, Hayward Chamber of Commerce Citizen Sprints, Junior Birkie, Chequamegon Telephone 10K, or the Sons of Norway/Swiss Miss Barnebirkie, call 715-634-5025, e-mail [email protected], or log on to www.birkie.com.