Amy and I skied the full North End system and the skate deck was awesome. Firm and fast, but with enough give to have great control. Classic tracks looked fast and a little washed out in places, but still some of the best conditions of the season! The further out on the C loop we got, the better the conditions were. I suspect there have been significantly more visitors here with Birkie time imminent - we heard other languages being spoken in the parking lot, which was cool.

Photos:

(Rick Cochrane)

Skied the North End Classic Race Sunday. Fantastic skiing with plenty of snow for skate and classic.

(Greg Urban)

Skied from MTV/BaseCamp --> North End trails via the Birkie Classic trail, it was lovely. Hard packed skate deck but very skateable, classic tracks appeared well-formed and firm. Lots of people out enjoying the woods on a Wed near lunch, which is always awesome to see. North End B loop was great as well.

Photos:

(Rick Cochrane)

The North End Trails were in top shape today, reminding Amy and I why they're our favorite trails in the Universe! As I hoped after yesterday's ski, the overnight chill set things up super nicely - the grooming was awesome, and it was a firm skate deck with plenty of glide and control. Classic tracks were well set, but it seemed the base underneath was still a little wobbly. We skied the "long" C loop, it was wonderful. There is a bit more evidence of the logging on the return after you pass the exit of the B cutoff, which is unfortunate. After a couple of rough weather years, it was nice to have the magic back at the North End! Thank you groomers and volunteers.

Photos:

(Rick Cochrane)

We finally returned to our beloved North End ski trails! Cable received a little over 3 inches of fine-to-medium granular high-humidity snow the previous night, so it seemed like it compacted pretty well with grooming. Amy and I got to the TH warming cabin after noon, and the grooming looked pretty darn fresh. Snow was plenty deep just about everywhere. I skated and Amy classic skied, but we only made it out just past the "A" cutoff before turning back and opting for the Birkie Trail, as the snow was still very soft and I felt bad that I was murdering it whilst skating :) Classic tracks were well laid, but still a little uneven until hardening, so Amy had great kick and glide just outside of the tracks. Wonderful day in the woods.

Photos:

(Rick Cochrane)

Started at North End Trailhead. Trail is just rolled but had good coverage. Skated out to Birkie Classic Trail which was combed out but no tracks set. The trail was groomed to the Birkie Start area. Went through the Tormondsen Family Trail, what a blast. (Note that the Birkie snowmaking trails are closed during the day for racing.) There are sticks and bits of leaf and grass sticking through but nothing to worry about.

(William Stuber)