Around noon I went to OO, hoping to classic ski after 2-3 inches of snow this morning, but the course wasn't groomed and I wasn't in a mood to make my own tracks so I gave up. Skate skiers might do better.

(Donald Quick)

Last night we groomed and tracked the competition loops at the Birkie Trail Head, the Birkie Classic trail from the Birkie Trail Head to Timber Trail, as well as the Birkie Trail from the OO Trail Head south to Lake Hayward (some thin sections south of OO don't have a classic track). Next week we will be working on the loops at Hatchery Creek as well. Stay warm and enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

2-3 inches of fluffy new snow groomed and tracked on Birkie Skate trail from OO north. A dusting of new snow this morning. Classic trail was not groomed as of noon, though tracks were skied-in and skating was not that bad through the fluff, maybe even better glide than on the Skate trail. Downhills much better than the hardpack before the new snow. Thank you, groomers!

(Carolyn Senty)

At mid-day I skied classic, waxless, north from OO. Snow conditions were very good after yesterday's 2-3 fluffy inches, but the ski track was heavily traveled and thus a bit beat-up, so I would rate it good. The skate deck is also well-traveled, you bet. South of OO was newly groomed for only about 1k.

(Donald Quick)

Yesterday we groomed and tracked Birkie Ridge and the skijouring loop near the Birkie Ridge TH. After receiving 1-2" of new snow, tonight we groomed and tracked the Birkie Skate Trail and Birkie Classic Trail from OO to the American Birkebeiner TH (including Birkie Ridge). It's very nice out there. Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

My classic ski today was from North End to OO and back. I skied the skate trail to Timber Trail, then skied the classic trail to OO. Other than the stench of what appeared to be a diesel fuel leak of some type near and 1k or so past Timber Trail, conditions were ideal for classic all the way to OO, except for the expected leaf and needle debris. The skate trail back to Timber Trail was another story. It could use a fresh comb. The classic tracks were good, but when needing to step out to herringbone or stride the softer snow, no gripable traction could be made on the icy deck. The downhills were super fast, in fact sometimes too fast. Before I could figure out I should've snowplowed to bleed off speed, making the adjustment from tuck to snowplow at warp speed would've been disastrous. No crashes thankfully. Last comment -- if someone could invent grip wax similar to oak leaves, they'd make a fortune.

(Pete Wurl)

Last night we were able to groom and track from OO to Timber Trail on the Birkie Skate (including Birkie Ridge) and Birkie Classic Trail. Tonight we are prepping the classic distance course at OO for the Gitchi Gami Games tomorrow. For recreational skiers tomorrow, we recommend parking at OO (or Birkie Ridge) and going north on the freshly groomed and tracked Birkie Skate or Birkie Classic trails. Enjoy the great skiing!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Conditions are highly variable. First the good. Starting at Timber Trail and going south on the classic trail, conditions were excellent. Freshly groomed skate deck with well formed classic tracks in most places. A few thin spots between Timber Trail and the high point (which is as far as I went) but mostly really good. The return trip on the Birkie trail was less nice but still decent skiing. North of Timber Trail is very different. An icy hard skate deck with no recent grooming in evidence at least as far north as the power lines. So I recommend that you start at one of the intermediate trail heads and ski from there. Timber Trail or the Boedecker trail head would be good choices.

(Andy Schwartz)

The loops at the American Birkebeiner TH are tracked and ready for some great classic ski racing at the Gitchi Gami Games this weekend. That said, there will be 400+ ski racers at the American Birkebeiner TH on Saturday and Sunday so plan accordingly. Two great places this weekend to start a recreational ski are the S.C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center at OO and the Birkie Ridge TH. As for grooming plans: tonight we will groom and track (as needed) from the American Birkebeiner TH to OO (including Birkie Ridge).

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Skied from OO north to the start line. Very firm, some minor ruts, some dirt and debris that is avoidable. Ski with caution on the downhills.

(Frank Lowry)