Birkie officials have announced the Birkie trail will close Thursday night, at midnight, to preserve the conditions and prevent damage during forecast rain this weekend. They are hoping to reopen the trail early next week, but please wait for an official notice. Birkie Ridge, a 6K offshoot near Seeley, will remain open for skiing.

(Bruce Adelsman)

We skied south from OO to the Gravel pit. The trail was not re-groomed from the Seeley classic. It was slick until you skied past Pic-nic table hill. The skate lane in between the tracks was sort of narrow so it made for exciting passing when there was oncoming skiers. BUT, Every hill was a game of "Let's make a deal" You had four lanes to choose from and those tracks were like clipping into a railroad track: let it all go and just bust it down the grade. Really fun skiing.

(Dan Murphy)

I skied the Birkie Tour today. Besides slow glide that got better as it warmed up, the trails were essentially in perfect condition. Great job groomers!

(Louis Muench, CASTA)

Looked great. Skied somewhat less so. Good classic track everywhere we skied. Skate deck firmness varied tremendously depending upon what part of the trail you were. We skied north on the skate trail from the North End trail head. Skate deck was very soft until you got to Timber Trail. More firm from there to the Fire Tower water stop. Tried to ski back on the Classic trail which was crazy soft. Soft enough that we took the first opportunity to cross back over to the skate trail rather than try and slog further North on the classic trail. There's plenty of snow now so this isn't anything that couldn't be fixed with more grooming.

(Andy Schwartz)

Skate deck groomed with Pisten Bully on OO loops, but just skiied in tracks from yesterday remain. Looked like there might be tracks set south beyond "picnic table hill". North of OO we skied a ways on the Birkie trail which has fresh PB corduroy and fresh firm tracks set. Also skied the Easy Strider loops with fresh tracks! Lots of beautiful new snow! Thank you groomers! Photos from north side of OO.

Photos:

(Carolyn Senty)

Skied Double OO to Boedecker on Classic and returned on Skate side. Conditions were soft: sinking in 3 inches. Hopefully we get enough snow today that groomers can use piston bully to firm up skate deck.

(John Hansen)

3-4 inches of new snow were groomed and tracked on the loops at OO. Groomers said they are waiting for the next snow before grooming the rest of the trail. Skate deck was somewhat soft and tracks somewhat shallow, but easy quiet skiing was enjoyed by many! No icy spots and most of the debris has been covered. More snow in the forecast, stay tuned!

(Carolyn Senty)

Early morning headlight ski before a busy day - skied from Hatchery to Mosquito Brook and back - was great skiing. Actually pretty fast for skating (classic track wasn't bad looking either). Good coverage and nice skiing behind the fresh grooming. Temps seem to be rising as I skied, was super fun.

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

Skied from Mosquito brook to gravel pit and back. Only about an inch of new snow, but greatly improved from the icy, hardpack, debris covered trail of two days ago. Skating was very good -- quiet and smooth! Groomer was rolling part of the track, but skiing was still fine on the "ungroomed" portion.

(Carolyn Senty)

Birkie Trail North of High Point and North End trails continue to get better every day with dustings of snow covering up the debris from heavy wind. Base is still thin but is fairly level. Best conditions were on the Birkie Skate and Classic between Timber trail and High point. North End trail was still closed (possibly due to a down tree?). No classic tracks set anywhere.

(Erik Hendrickson)