Strided from Fish Hatchery trailhead to a bit past Mosquito Brook trailhead for a total of about 16K this afternoon. The skate lane had been freshly groomed to about 2/3 width with one firm classic track set. Woods were beautiful with the new snow and the track was silky smooth, making for a great first ski of the season.

(Darren Blankenship)

Skied from OO to Timber Trail and back on the classic side. Doesn't get much better than it was today. New snow has covered the tree dandruff, trail was groomed well and it was a beautiful day. Just have to stay aware of the small trees, whips and branches that stick out into the trail corridor.

(Geary Searfoss)

From the Birkie start to Firetower, trails were pretty clear of debris. From Firetower on down to the 19k mark by the Gravel pit trailhead, it got gradually worse with debris. A large pine branch actually came down right before Gravel pit as I was skiing, so still be on the lookout. Trails were packed and tracked, skate deck was pretty firm, icy in some spots still due to the light sleet received overnight, but overall a pleasant and fast ski. Not crowded in the morning; I saw 3 people from the start to OO, then around a dozen more from OO to Gravel pit. Photo taken was in my favorite section between Bodecker and OO trailheads.

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(Tiffany Miller)

Skied from the Bodecker trailhead to OO. Skate deck was a little soft due to the warmer temps, but still very skiable. More debris in this section, but not terrible. At OO it cleared up some since it opened up to the Korte start, and that was pretty leaf and stick free. Picks back up again with debris once you reenter the woods. Trails around the Korte start were firm, and not bad with debris, considering. Classic tracks were set, nice and dirm.

(Tiffany Miller)

Skied from the start to Firetower and back, hit the Tony Wise trail for a bit upon my return. Birkie has just been groomed recently, so nice cord here. Skate deck packed and tracked, mostly firm at this point, but was starting to get soft near the end of the ski. Classic tracks were set as well, nice and firm. The Birkie trail was fairly debris free from this point to Firetower; you could use good skis in this section. Anything not Birkie main trail still has a fair amount of debris and hadn't been groomed as recently as the Birkie trail section I was on. There were some side trails that didn't look groomed at all; I also came across trail sections in the North End where you could not access the Birkie from since they were not groomed at all.

(Tiffany Miller)

Very good conditions considering the lingering storm damage (evergreen needles and stick litter) and melting that created come icy chunks and uneven surfaces for the groomers. Skied from OO to Fire Tower on the Classic trail and returned on the Birkie trail. Lots of people out enjoying themselves.

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(Genevieve Johnson)

I skated the loops south of Hwy 00 in the early morning. The trails had been groomed last night and were excellent - firm and fast. Some fine forest litter showed on the surface, but it wasn't an issue. I'm not sure if the classic tracks had been re-set, but they looked pretty good. I give a 9.

(Don Quick)

Not touched up for the weekend or events happening at OO on Friday. Classic tracks washed out with trenches on either side from poles. Good coverage but the further out from the trailhead you get, there's more icy chunks and warping. Nice and fast because of the ice though!

(Erin Matula)

I love the Birkie trails, and was so excited to spend New Years with the family skiing on some of the best trails in the world. But I have to say, I was pretty disappointed by the grooming conditions today. Started at 00 and skied south for about 5km, then turned around in hopes that north would be better. It wasn't. Certainly there's been some less-than-ideal precipitation and wind to go with it, but the trails had obviously not been groomed or maintained for many days. The classic trails do not have any tracks set and the skate deck was poor at best. The skate trail did have classic tracks, but full of debris and had not been groomed recently. Not to say the trails wouldn't benefit from some fresh snow, but it's been a good snow year so far and just needs some grooming and attention. Mostly it's ice, pine cones, leaves and sticks; nothing that will permanently damage your skis, but certainly enough to leave marks on your bases and make classic skiing nearly impossible. Crossing my fingers for some grooming tonight.

(Marit Ross-Sonnesyn)

Had a nice ski, both skate and classic, from OO trailhead South to Gravel Pit (and back). Trail is in good shape, even if some offshoots are not groomed (e.g., easy strider). Skate deck is well packed, and southbound tracks were better than Northbound (from OO trailhead)- deep enough toward gravel pit. Some spots of sticks and pine needles, and periodic acorn caps, which is why B instead of good skis. Classic required popping out of the tracks occasionally to avoid debris and low-hanging branches. Temps were cool enough for good glide and trail hadn't filled up yet in the morning, but definitely people pouring in as the temps were rising while leaving near midday. All in all, a fantastic time on this ski highway.

Photos:

(Pieter DeHart)