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)

Thoroughly enjoy skiing on the man made snow loops in Cable. Much better than I expected. Mild glazing here and there in the tracks but they were mostly well-formed and not washed out. Hills and corners were very controllable. Used my skin skis. Skating looked very nice. Based on what I saw, the rest of Birkie trail is a no.

(Craig Fischberg)

Skied OO north to 34k and south a bit. Groomed, lots of debris on trail, very hard, icy, unstable - bit dicey on those hills! South was a little better - off shoots not groomed.

(Jennifer Michuda)

Skied from OO to the Birkie Start on the skate trail. Conditions varied with leaves and dirt in some places and nearly perfect conditions in other places. There were quite a few skiers on the trail and there doesn't appear to be enough snow to regroom.

(Dave Nelson)

We skated fresh tracks to Gravel Pit and met the groomer on his way back to OO. Some sticks and debris and grass in spots. Trail was only groomed south to Gravel Pit. We also skied north of OO down the first big hill. It was groomed but I turned around so I don't know how far the grooming went. Slow cold snow, but, sunshine made a fabulous ski.

(Karen Possley)

Skied an hour on the Birkie trail from the Boedecker TH south. It survived the warm up but was hard packed under 1/2" of new snow. Skiable and no bare spots. I would call it fair to good. The downhills were thrilling and there were a lot of wolf tracks on the classic side. Peaceful and beautiful as the sun was setting early. Happy to be skiing.

Photos:

(Tom Detzner)