Highly variable. Flat, relatively smooth skate deck. Icy fast in places. Lots of tree litter. No classic tracks anywhere I skied. I skied from Boedecker Road to Timber Trail on the classic trail and back on the skate trail. First the good: Repeated grooming over the past week was smoothed out a lot of the early season lumpiness that I experienced earlier in the week. It's a little on the icy side but I didn't have any trouble getting an edge. Accomplished skiers, those for whom balance is not a mystery, I think they'll be OK with the trail right now. Touring skiers are going to struggle with the icy/hard surface. Now the bad: The tree litter is oppressive in places. Particularly on the classic trail between Boedecker and the High Point. Like a carpet of pine needles over stretches. It was much better from the High Point to Timber Trail and all the way back on the Birkie skate trail. If you can avoid that stretch of the classic trail, I think there's some pretty decent skiing to be had yet.

(Andy Schwartz)

Skied from the North end to Boedecker Rd on the skate trail and back on the classic. Of the trails I skied the North End was in the best shape, some areas were freshly groomed and free of debris. There was substantially more debris on the birkie skate trail and classic trail. A carpet of pine needles and sticks in spots made for a difficult and slow ski. Birkie classic trail was in the worst shape of the 3. Classic trail was icy and in many spots it was hard to get an edge.

(Elias Anoszko)

Skated from Hwy OO to Boedecker loop on both sides. It was freshly groomed for skate, fast and fun. Hoping for more snow.

(Tom Detzner)

Skied from the Hwy OO trailhead. The trail is in bad condition, in spite of the heroic efforts of the groomers. It is skiable if you're desperate. It is very hard packed with lots of debris. After spending three days at ABR, where conditions are excellent, it was a disappointment.

(Steve Smith)

Skied from OO trailhead south to Mosquito Brook and back. The snow is heavily used at OO and a little packed down and just a little icy but it was smooth sailing and fast down and back. There are a few rough spots and the usual sticks here and there but nothing that can't be avoided. Excellent grooming job by the Birkie grooming crew for fast and near perfect conditions (thank you!). A great ski today!

(Elizabeth Mach)

I skated the American Birkiebeiner Trail from Mosquito Brook Trailhead out to Hwy 77 and back this morning, there were a few sticks here and there but easily avoidable. The trail was level with just a few icy spots. The recent grooming left fresh corduroy; the hills were lightening fast with enough purchase for control...enjoy!

Photos:

(David Martin)

I skied from North end cabin to Timber trail trail head. Lots of ice, debris from trees, difficult conditions to ski especially beginners.

(Paresh Ghodge)

While out on the North End trails, I ran into Scott Wilson who is the race chief for the Double Pole Derby. Scott assured me that the crew will be out in force tonight at the new Birkie start area and that the race course will be in decent shape Wednesday morning. Those areas of the Birkie trail that I saw first hand (North End trail crossings) were as yet ungroomed and loaded with tree debris.

(Andy Schwartz)

Skate skied on Birkie Skate and Classic north of OO to Boedecker. Skate deck was very firm and fast with just enough courduroy. Great grooming given the hard packed ice they had to work with. Still slightly undulating due to low snow. No grooming north of Boedoecker. No classic tracks. Talked to a skier at Boedoecker that had skied at OO and south and thought it was icier in that area.

(Suzann Mouw)

Last night we were able to start to renovate the ice. There are lots of sticks and debris down. We suggest skiing from OO where we were able to make the most passes in that area. We will continue to get after it removing down trees and renovating the surface – this will be a process- please be patient as we work as quickly as we can on a trail 90KM long, 40Ft wide! There still needs to be caution however- there are trees down and it is icy. Additionally, the soils are heavy here - so in low spots we do have standing water that is freezing into little ponds.

(Chris Campbell, American Birkebeiner)