Rain is falling in the northwoods, but expecting to turn to snow tomorrow morning. When cold temps return, the snow guns will fire up again. Check back for more updates.

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Early Season update: Snowmaking continues with the goal of extending the length as much as possible. An Early Season Snow Pass is required until the greater Birkie Trail opens.
Birkie Trail Update: The Birkie Trail is certainly snow-covered and there is more snow in the forecast. There is no plan to groom yet but keep checking back and we will certainly post that information when it happens. Once the Birkie Trail opens, a regular Birkie Trail Pass is required. All pass purchases help to offset the cost of snow-making and grooming. Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

A fantastic evening ski on the "human-made" loop at the Birkie Start Trailhead. An inch+ of new (natural) snow over a firm base made for easy skiing. Please buy a trail pass and enjoy super skiing on a nice little loop!

Photos:

(Jeffery Tumbleson)

Excellent for skating on the man-made loop. A fair classic track has been skied in now. An inch or so of fresh snow over a hard and flat base made for very good skiing.

(Andy Schwartz)

We skied the man-made snow loop this evening - headlamp + strong moonlight made for good visibility as this section is not lit (yet?) - there was no classic track set yet but the skate deck looked fast. You can definitely ski on "A" skis. We were pleasantly surprised that this was a loop, as we were expecting just an out-and-back up the trail. Nice job Birkie staff! Guns were blowing snow when we left.

(Jennifer Huelsmann)

Man made snow loop is excellent for skating. No classic tracks yet. I didn't measure the loop but I think calling it a full kilometer may be stretching things just a bit. That said, the skiing was very good. Wide and flat with fresh corduroy. A very good skiing surface. The loop includes a substantial climb and a fast little "S" turn downhill. The trail crew was blowing snow on the next section as we skied.

Photos:

(Andy Schwartz)

The Early Season 1k loop will open this Saturday morning at the American Birkebeiner TH (Birkie start area)! For this weekend's skiing, the Early Season loop will only be groomed for skate skiing. We need more snow before we can set a classic track. An Early Season Snow Pass is required until the greater Birkie Trail opens, which has yet to be determined when that will be. Once the Birkie Trail opens, a regular Birkie Trail Pass is required. All pass purchases help to offset the cost of snow-making and grooming. Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Birkie trail had some nice classic skiing this evening up the classic trail heading North!

Photos:

(Kim Rudd)

Drove over to the Birke start area to look at the snow making operations. Current setup is preliminary using water from a local well. They are working on getting water from the Telemark
"high volume" wells. 18 degrees at 11am. Amount of snow being made was not very impressive. 2-3 more inches of natural snow fell after these pictures were taken.

Photos:

(Steve Thatcher, Ride and Glide Bike & Ski Club)

The Birkie crew has fired up their snowguns at the Start area!

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)