Somewhat mixed conditions, mostly good to excellent. Started at the north end and headed south on the skate trail to the OO system which was listed as groomed Saturday. Smooth and firm with two sets of classic tracks on one side. Clean in the open areas, with quite a lot of pine debris in the wooded areas. The OO trails were groomed today and were clean and silky smooth. Heading back north, we jumped on the classic trail at the first sign of grooming, which was at Fire Tower. From this point back to the Birkie start area was all freshly groomed, clean and smooth (no tracks yet on most of the classic trail). Quite a few skiers enjoying the OO area trails, far less traffic further north. Beautiful winter wonderland scenery, with ample snow. Temps inching into the double digits and very little breeze. Good skis are fine if you don't mind running over sticks, needles and pine cones, which is unavoidable. Fantastic day overall.

Photos:

(Todd Campbell)

Traveled north from OO to Timber Ridge on the skate trail using classic technique. Plowed snow out of fresh tracks all the way north. Trip back in same tracks was very nice trip. Surprise when got to Boedecker - more folks had made the trip and tracks were very hard and fast even at zero degree.

(George Larson)

This afternoon, I classic skied the Birkie Trail from Hatchery Creek T.H. to Mosquito Brook T.H. The base was very good. The tracks were good with some new snow blown off the overhanging branches. The tracks also had some debris from the strong winds. The skate lane was firm and appeared to be in good shape as well with some debris from the winds. There were a few other bundled-up skiers out on the trails. Stay warm, and Merry Christmas!

Photos:

(David Martin)

Was a great morning to ski from OO South to Gravel Pit. Big shout out to the trail crew - great tracks. Temperature probably had nothing to do with traffic at 10 below.

(George Larson)

Lots of snow on the Birkie trails, but grooming appears to have been deferred until debris clearing is complete. I saw no grooming north from OO. The loops at the Korteloppet were groomed, and quite soft. Heading south, grooming was good from OO south to about 20k, then softens after that. Lots of debris in the trail, not necessarily easy to avoid, so use B skis if you want to keep your bases pristine. Hopefully any new snow won't result in too many more downed trees and branches.

(Adrian Swanson)

Due to all the downed trees and branches not much of the Birkie trail has been groomed yet. But this afternoon I followed the groomer south from OO. The most snow I've seen here before Xmas.

Photos:

(Rick Budde)

Skied the Birkie trails around the start line. Beautiful day to ski with all the fresh snow. The groomers did a great job removing down trees from the trail and grooming the trails. The trails are soft from all the new snow but over all great skiing.

Photos:

(Charlie Rietschel)

A winter wonderland on the Birkie Trail. Snowmobile packed south of OO. Piston Bully groomed north of OO but no classic tracks. A number of trees had fallen onto the freshly groomed trail north of OO on the first downhill so be carefull going down that hill.

(David Nelson)

I skied north from Hatchery to Gravel pit and then south to Wheeler Road. Coverage is thin and lumpy but very skiable. B skis recommended due to occasional thin spots, but you'd be okay on good skis with some care. I saw some roots just under the surface and one rock, but mostly just organic debris. The trail south of Hatchery has seen less grooming and fewer skiers, and had quite a bit of grass poking through, but still skied fine.

(Spencer Davis)

Skied the skijouring loop [at Birkie Ridge] with dogs and it was in excellent shape. Groomed recently with good snow cover (a little grass poking out but not impacting the ski). The dogs got their first skijour of the season in and give it four paws up.

(Darielle Dannen)