Fantastic for skate and classic. Minus 10 when me and Skervald started so glide was just a rumor but the trails were freshly groomed, level and firm. After last night's deep freeze, the classic tracks are like rails. We skied from the Power Lines to the Fire Tower water stop to watch the Seeley Classic leaders come through then back on classic trail. Trails were beautiful everywhere we went. There were fires going in the two warming buildings we passed so there were places along the way to get warm if need be. Pretty tough to beat even with the cold.

(Andy Schwartz)

After the 2-3" of new snow we received last night, we groomed the skate deck and laid tracks from American Birkebeiner TH (start area) down to Hatchery Creek TH. This includes the Birkie Ridge connector, the loops at OO, and the loops at Hatchery Creek. Conditions are excellent today! Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Nice morning ski from Hatcher Creek Trail Head. Trail still really firm, but at least the warmer temps are making the snow faster way more fun to glide! Some leaves and pine needles down from the winds last few days but great skiing.

Photos:

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

Excellent for skate and classic. Skied from power lines to the fire tower water stop on the Birkie trail. Back to Timber Trail on the classic trail then back towards the start area on what used to be the Korte return to Telemark. Nicely groomed, firm and flat skate lanes at full race width. A single classic track on the Birkie trail but a freshly set double track on the Classc trail. Not much recent snow so there's starting to be some tree litter accumulating in areas with overhanging trees. But that's quibbling. It was another day that reminded me of what a bargain my trail pass is.

(Andy Schwartz)

Parked at Boedecker Road rest cabin. Skied the classic trail 5km north and south from there. Perfect classic ski conditions. The most beautiful pair of classic tracks I have seen in a long time. Finally a beautiful sunny warm winter day. I can't think of many trail segments better than this section of the Birkie classic trail and to be able to enjoy it in this good of condition was a rare treat! Kudos to the groomer.

(John Fitzgerald)

Skied OO to Lake Hayward, all in fantastic shape except from 77 to the lake (no track set in that segment). Nice to see so many people out enjoying the miracles of the Birkie culture.

(Pete Wurl)

Really good skate deck up north on the classic and skate trails. Nice and flat. Skied from Boedecker to start and back had good corduroy the whole way. Classic tracks looked a little rough in some spots but avoidable. The grooming has been so good this year.

(Gunnar Fontaine)

As planned, we were able to groom skate deck and lay track from American Birkebeiner TH (start area) to Hatchery Creek. The Birkie Classic trail north of OO to American Birkebeiner TH is double-tracked. Loops at OO, Hatchery Creek, and Birkie Ridge connector were all groomed and tracked as well. Continually grooming the same thin base can take it's toll on the trail and snow. Some new snow would be great for the trail but current conditions are still very good. Best conditions are north where the most snow has fallen. Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Typically our weekly goal is to have fresh corduroy for the weekend....this week is no different. Last night we groomed the skate deck and laid classic track from OO to the American Birkebeiner TH (start area) on the Birkie Skate trail. We did the same at the Birkie Ridge connector and the loops at OO. Today and tonight we will groom the skate deck and lay classic tracks north of OO on the Birkie Classic trail and south of OO to Hatchery Creek. Sounds like this weekend we might get a little warm-up, enjoy the fresh cord on the Birkie Trail!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Skated the Birkie Classic trail from the North End to the start Birkie start and area and down to past Timber Trail. Found perfect corduroy and fast conditions with Extreme White Fast Wax, even at -5F degrees. Plenty of snow and great coverage on entire system.

(William Harrison)