Skied north and south of Boedecker Road. The groomers have done a good job but there is quite a bit of leaves showing through the snow that is quite avoidable. When you go down a hill you pick the whitest path to avoid the leaves / debris showing through. We used our best skis and it was no problem. We really need more snow. I can see why the Saturday Ski de She races are held on the artificial snow at Telemark Village 5 km loop.

(David Gorringe)

Skate skied from OO to Fire Tower this morning. Skied out on the classic and back on the skate trail. Snow is still soft and slow but with the minimal snow cover so far, it skied very well with most debris easily avoided. No classic tracks on the classic trail but one was set on the skate trail. As expected, it is shallow but looks very skiable. Thanks to all the effort this summer to clean the trails to allow skiing on such thin base. I also notice very few oak leaves in the canopy and a lot of evidence of selective harvesting of oaks. (I love trees but the oaks can make a mess of the trail). Groomer was sighted leaving OO heading south. Thanks groomers!

(Keith Holmquist)

The Birkie Trailhead trails were in great condition today, although a little hard packed in places. For the first time this season we broke past the bounds of the human-assisted snow loops and got back to the larger Birkie Trail! Amy classic skied and the tracks were great until leaving the loop. After that they were here and there, but still very skiable. We headed up the Birkie classic by taking a left at the bell and made it to the intersection with our beloved North End trails at NE42 (they looked pretty good too!) I was skating with good skis, but with old and too-warm of wax for how cold the snow was (Rex Blue). I am only rating this as "B skis" and "most trails open" because of our choice to go past the loops. I've skied on far worse, and wouldn't be too afraid to take the good skis a lot further if only my body would cooperate. Many thanks to the groomers, we appreciate what you do! Lots of friendly faces there today, nice to run into you, Charlie and Jeanine :).

Photos:

(Rick Cochrane)

Classic skied from Gravel Pit north to OO and back classic with no tracks. Several skaters had gone before me. Groomers tilled a full 2 passes yesterday and the new 5-6" of cold fluffy snow was well compacted and quite firm. Surprisingly good skiing. Mostly could have skied with best skis but there were some small areas where leaves were tilled up to the surface. There was no dirt showing. The further north on the trail the better the conditions. Tracks set north of OO to Fire tower. I was impressed with the groomer's soft touch. Great to ski on the trail closer to home.

(Scott Wilson, Cresthill Resort)

It's been a dry winter up in the Northland of Wisconsin. I got a little free time to come classic ski the snow loop hills today. Phenomenal conditions! Skied 13.22 miles in 1 hour 43 minutes. Just breaking myself into the birkie hill climbs again. And it felt great. 100% perfection for what the weather's giving us. My only complaint, and it's not a complaint, but there were a lot of people and they are sometimes standing in the middle of the trail or skiing the wrong way. I'll be back. Thank you Birkie Team for keeping the dream alive.

Photos:

(Kevin Grand)

I skied for an hour and a half in the past two days from Boedecker TH to the south, There were some leafy spots that could easily be avoided and good snow in between. I skied the whole Boedecker flats loop and only had to walk once (the small hill on the classic side near the Big Rock crossover) and only fell once, that when my ski snagged a stick embedded in the snow. There were other tracks besides mine, both skate and classic. There is noticeably less snow where the trail is adjacent to the logged areas, but enough to ski safely. It is fun, and the peace and solitude is an additional benefit if you don't like crowds.

Photos:

(Tom Detzner)

Made a trip up to Cable to ski the Birkie man made loop Tuesday, was not disappointed. A perfectly groomed 5km loop with sunny skies and calm winds. The new MTV base camp lodge is right on the trail, was a special treat.

(Dan Dudley)

I classic skied the Birkie start area manmade snow loops. The skate deck was level and freshly groomed, with very good coverage, offering great control when out of the tracks. The tracks and surrounding deck were firm and deep providing great kick, pole plants, and control. Plenty of happy skiers were out enjoying the trails.

Photos:

(David Martin)

Classic and skate skied early morning on the entire manmade loop several times. Found impressively groomed conditions with flat skate deck and well set up classic tracks. Conditions were about as fast as it gets! Elevator shaft was a truly thrilling section. Much climb/descent with some flat sections as well. About 5K total. Snowmaking was underway to prep for the Seeley Classic next week.

(Randy Shelerud)

Classic skied the snowmaking trails at the Birkie Trailhead this afternoon. A friend skate skied with me. We skied all the open trails, which probably total 5k including all the various loops and cut across connectors. Certainly would not call it "gerbil skiing". Lots of climbing and descending, but many rolling moderate trails as well. A nice fairly flat loop for beginners and young kids at the entrance to the system. The classic tracks were deep and the skate deck was in excellent shape. Best that I have skied there in the last couple of weeks. A dusting of fresh snow added more control than we expected. The guns are fired up probably for adding to existing trails plus pushing out into new loops. Thanks to the snowmakers for their hard work and to the groomers for making the best possible calls under difficult circumstances. Love the new lodge!

(Scott Wilson, Cresthill Resort)