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)

Skated for almost an hour on the Birkie trail between OO and Boedecker on 1" of fresh snow over 2-3" of crusty snow. I jumped in the skied in tracks a couple times and found them skiable as well. Though it was ungroomed, it was skiable. Hoping it gets packed, could provide an alternative to the Telemark loops which are closed to the public during the daylight hours for the week of the Gitchi Gumi races. Happy to be on the Birkie trail again!

(Tom Detzner)

The trails at Mount Telemark Village are in great shape for a ski! The natural cover away from the manmade snow did take a hit with the rain, but our snow making loops are solid and skiing super well. The groom last night went well, and skiing should be fast. Conditions will be firm but not icy. As always, please be mindful of snowmaking operations happening on the system as we get ready for the Gitchi Gami Games. Reminder, skiing for the public will be 5pm - 8pm only from Dec 11-17 to accommodate the Gitchi Gami Games youth races.

(Ben Popp, American Birkebeiner)

We parked as recommended at the new lodge - Base Camp - and skied the blown snow loops and out on the Birkie race course from the trailhead. The blown loops are 2k+ with quite a lot of additional snow down but not open due to continued snow making hoses across the trails, etc. Lots of varied terrain on the closer in WC trails. They groomed a double pass on the Birkie trail after 4" of fresh snow that fell on a decent base out the skate course to the power lines, out and back on the power lines, and back in using various trails around the out bound classic course. That full out and back loop totaled 6k. Thin but all on good skis-skating only. Every day the Birkie surprises us with additional skiing. Classic tracks have been perfect and hold up quite well due to the bonding of the blown snow.

(Scott Wilson, Cresthill Resort)

Turkey Birkie: Three great classic ski days on the snowmaking area. Classic track was only set on maybe 50% of the trail and pretty beat up by late Sunday but the Super Blue was kicking and the skis were gliding. Skating looked excellent.

(Tom Dunaway)