Wow what a difference a week makes! Thought the trail was fast on the Birkie, and today it was smokin! We went north from Fish Hatchery. Lots of debris down from the wind as well. The freeze thaw cycles have done a number on the trail but thanks to the great grooming there is still a full base.

(Amy Fredregill)

Classical ski from Mosquito Brook to Hatchery Creek (and a little beyond) and back. Started at noon at 32 degrees F and returned at 1:30 at 35 degrees. I waxed the entire kicker with Swix VR 40 and under the feet 12 inches with Swix VR 50 and had a good kick and glide down to Hatchery Creek. On the return above freezing I started to slip on the climbs so had to pull a lot when striding up the hills. I had to herringbone the top sections of the steepest hills but was otherwise able to stay in the tracks. As far as the downhills were concerned, I stayed in the tracks on all the smaller to medium sized down hills but on 4-5 of the steep ones I stepped out but only in the steeper sections. In the beginning conditions were excellent with one good track (partly filled in) after the 1/2 way point so had my tracks all the way back. The 1-2" of fresh snow with new grooming got rid of the icy conditions and so the entire track was hard but nicely packed on the surface. I saw a half a dozen people on the trail, they were all skating. NIce workout for about 15 K of classical today, first time out in 2 weeks after having an upper respiratory infection felt a little weak by the end but had time to recover on my drive back to Spooner which was very nice taking K to 27 to 70 in 50 minutes.

(Dan Fern)

It really absolutely, positively, doesn't get any better than this. Silky smooth grooming made for firm fast conditions. I skied both classic and skate trails up toward the start and North End. Heavenly.

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(Michael Gotzsche)

Trails are closed for the race so commenting on it based on skiing the Korte today. For the most part the tracks were good. Hills are what to be expected for anyone not in the front waves. Corn snow on the ups, scraped on the downs. There was usually enough snow to maintain control. The lake was a challenge. Maybe a 4 foot ribbon of snow most of the way across with no tracks and it had very little structure. Kudos to the groomers for what you were able to do.

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(Scott Greymont)

Birkie officials report: The Birkie Trail and Race Course will be closed for event preparation and events from Sunday, February 15th at 11:59pm to Saturday, February 21st at 6pm.

(Bruce Adelsman)

Skied from Birkie Ridge Trailhead to Fire Tower Trailhead and back. Skate deck is very hardpack. Tracks are hard and slippery with quite a few leaves blown. Temp about 20F.

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(Ken Kuznia)

I skied the Pre-Birkie today. It was below zero at the start and my glide was therefore on the slow side, but that improved as it warmed up. Snow conditions are the best in years. Great grooming and it's noteworthy that it held up well to the race traffic, indicating a nice firm base.

(Louis Muench, CASTA)

Classic skied from OO trailhead north on skate trail past Boedecker trailhead and then back to OO on classic trail. About an inch of new snow over existing groomed trail. Deep base of snow on trail and in woods. Temps around 20F. Awesome skiing!

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(Ken Kuznia)

I skied classic on the loops south of Hwy OO. The loops were freshly groomed. The shortest loop had tracks set on both sides, but the other loops were one-sided, so it was necessary to watch out for anybody coming the other direction. It was windy, so a few oak leaves had settled in the tracks, but they didn't feel sticky. The wind caused a little drifting in open areas but not enough to fill the tracks. The skate deck was prime, with little traffic. Great skiing - I give it a 10.

(Don Quick)

I skied classic between Hatchery Creek and Mosquito Brook. The tracks are good, with very little forest debris. Tracks are set on both sides but one side is newer and less worn. On the skate deck, the corduroy is mostly worn away from ski traffic, but the deck looks flat and firm. Good skiing. I give it a 9.

(Don Quick)