Around mid-day I skated the loops at Hwy OO. The skate deck was excellent, despite an occasional soft spot and a few scattered leaves and twigs. The loops were tracked, with one loop tracked on both sides. Even the bridge had a nice track. I give it an 8. As I left it started to snow again.

(Don Quick)

Best skiing of the year so far on the south end of the Birkie trail. Someone looped thru the HASTA lighted loops and Sunset Hill, good skate deck, good classic track. Packed powder, no rocks. We had maybe 8-12" of snow last night!

(Joel Harrison, New Moon Ski Shop)

Groomed from Hatchery park in Hayward north to Cable - the entire Birkie skate trail was groomed today. Get out and enjoy!

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

We first tried to ski the easy strider loops, but they were ungroomed at the time (though they seem to be groomed when we finished). Still very fun. We then skied between Highway OO and Gravel Pit just after they had finished making the classic tracks. Conditions were near perfect, though the wind had blown some leaves and debris on the trails.

(Kyle Richard)

Skate skied on the man made loops at the Birkie Start. Very fast solid snow! Some detritus on them and can mostly be avoided but you may not want to use your best skis. Tracks for classic look good and many were in them.

(Anna DeMers)

This morning I skied classic at the trailhead in Cable, on the loops with man-made snow. The grooming was excellent and most of the loops had tracks. The tracks were clear and fast except for one spot where a little gravel showed through for about 10 yards. The skate deck looked great.

(Don Quick)

I skated south of OO this evening. The trails had been groomed recently around the trailhead but there was not a classic track set. The skate lane was level with good coverage. Some of the trails had a few brown spots and B skis seem like a good choice. The lights were on and the warming house was open.

Photos:

(David Martin)

After our fluffy snow yesterday, our Trail Cru was able to groom from OO to Mosquito Brook, and from OO to BTH (skate trail). We were not able to put down tracks as the base is too thin. 1/4" base, we recommend rock skis. At the American Birkebeiner Trailhead in Cable the snowmaking loops are open with great conditions, ready for good skis - approx. 4km!

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

Discovered the Birkie skate trail was groomed full width going both north and south from the Boedecker TH. Appeared to be too thin to set tracks, and lots of sticks, but quite skiable. I would rate it fair to good.

Photos:

(Tom Detzner)

Birkie Trailhead is groomed for skating. We did get a little bit of a dusting to soften up the top layer of our snowpack. Grooming plans: We will make snow as we are able and continue to keep our Snowmaking Loops in good shape. See you on the trail!

(Kate Barido)