I skied the Birkie Trail skate lane today from OO up to the power lines and back. Skate conditions were a bit sticky and slow when I started at around 2:00 pm. The more recently groomed trail between High Point and OO was in very good shape, and the glide was excellent towards the evening. North of High Point was an adventure with ruts frozen in from heavy traffic Saturday. It was still skiable, but icy and kind of treacherous. All in all, the trail held up well to the warm conditions this weekend. Full coverage everywhere. The only issue was that some of the snowmobile crossings are getting a bit dirty, but not bad enough for me to take off my skis.

(Mark Luehring)

Conditions: Good coverage, 2-3 inches on new snow, groomed Friday from OO to High Point, both Birkie Classic and Birkie Trail.
We skied yesterday from OO to High Point and then down to Timber Trail, going out in the morning the glide was okay but as the temps warmed, the skating slowed down. The hills were starting to break down with all the skier traffic. The skating provided a hard workout but lots of skiers were out, there was plenty of sunshine and overall it was a great day to be out in the fresh air and the north woods.

Photos:

(David Martin)

Conditions: Fresh corduroy, level, good coverage, great control and glide. New classic track set as well.
I skated from Mosquito Brook north to OO on the Birkie trail, new grooming was found both north and south of Mosquito Brook, including the lighted loops at OO. I also skated south a few kilometers toward Fish Hatchery, where fresh corduroy could be found. All trails had a new, firm classic track set. The trails offered great control and coverage, plenty of happy skiers out and even a few happy fat bikers riding the single track...thanks groomers!

Photos:

(David Martin)

Conditions: Surprisingly, a mixed bag. Birkie Trail was freshly groomed from the Power Lines to OO which is as far as I went. That included Birkie Ridge (except for the South loop which was untouched). Classic trail was good North up to Timber Trail. At that point it was all ridges and divits. At the "B" North End trails cut across there was even a good sized ditch at which point I decided that conditions where too dangerous for a skier of my skill level. I took the "B" cut off back to the Korte trail which was ungroomed since the most recent snows but still really fine skiing comparatively. On my way back to my car, I managed get back on the Classic trail close to the Power Lines and it was beautiful. So what happened to the 5 kms in the middle is a mystery.
Still happy to be on natural snow.

(Andy Schwartz)

Conditions: Not quite perfect for skating. Pretty good for classic.
They've had 3-4 inches of snow since the last grooming so things are a little soft and slow. Classic tracks were full of snow but they've been skied in in most places. I skied from the Power Lines to the High Point water stop on the Birkie trail and back on the Classic and Korte trails. Snow globe beautiful now with no visible twigs or leaf litter. Should be near perfect after the next grooming.

(Andy Schwartz)

Conditions: The grooming was close to perfect! Firm corduroy and tracks. Glide was slow due to subzero temperatures.
Thank you Birkie Foundation for a good "Birkie Tour" today in spite of the -20F temperature this morning.

(Louis Muench, CASTA)

Conditions: Excellent. Fast, new inch of snow on top of firm base makes super fast skiing.
Skied OO to Boedecker during day and lighted loops in evening. New snow on top made for fun and fast skate even with bitter cold.

(Craig McCallum)

Conditions: Excellent! Arrived Friday evening to 4" of new snow and by Saturday it was groomed to perfection.
Both classic track and skate deck in great shape. Should be very nice for Seeley Hills Classic and Birkie Tour if it warms up.

(Dave Gorringe)

Conditions: In great shape with 4"+ inches of new snow!
We have groomed and re-set classic tracks on the Birkie Skate trail from Hwy 77 to the Powerlines including Birkie Ridge, the Birkie Classic from OO to Powerlines, the Korte trail and the loops at OO.

(Chris Campbell, American Birkebeiner)

Conditions: Excellent. Good firm base with new 1.5 " fluff on top.
100 k since Sunday. Covered the whole trail. Fantastic. Birkie Fever. Catch it.

Photos:

(Craig McCallum)