The Birkie organization has posted notice that the trails are now closed, at least for this week, due to the warm forecast. The statement, in part, reads: Unfortunately, due to the predicted forecast of highs in the upper 40s, overnight lows staying above freezing and possibility of rain, we are making the call to close the trails for this week, with a re-open time TBD. As we get closer to the Birkie, we need to take the proper precautions to keep our snow in as good of shape as possible, and also allow for safe and efficient set-up for race week.

(Bruce Adelsman)

The trails at Telemark with man-made snow have been open from 6-10 AM on these days with warm afternoons. Conditions yesterday and today were wonderful! Tracks are very firm but not so icy that you can't get good kick. Today was quite fast. Using both my skins and waxed skis worked quite well. Buy your snowmaking pass and get out there!

(Craig Fischberg)

The Birkie web site states the snowmaking trails up at Cable are closed. They will be open Friday morning for a short while and will close again once temps rise above the freezing mark.

(Michael O’Connor, Rochester Active Sports Club)

Skied at the start line. Definitely not the best conditions. Snow has some debris on it but is overall clean. Uphills are at times grainy and you have to lift your feet, and downhills are rutted. Getting icier.

(Anna DeMers)

I skied the Birkie Tour today: I did the loop to Timber Trail and back on natural snow. What a change from Wednesday - I skied the natural snow trails then and they were thin, but actually good skiing. Today they have deteriorated a lot and won't be skiable for much longer. They were thin with bare spots and a few rocks. It was slushy and not recently groomed (for obvious reasons). I'm happy they kept the Timber Trail aid station open for us adventurous ones. I enjoyed it! The snowmaking loops have a great snow base and were groomed last night. With heavy use and warm temperatures today, it was mashed potatoes in some places and springlike conditions. But I'm not complaining - they are miracle workers and they have a lot of snow stockpiled for the big event.

(Louis Muench, CASTA)

Skied at the Birkie Trailhead. Skate deck was firm but starting to get slow and sticky. The downhills (especially elevator shaft) were icy and fast. Some dirt and tree debris starting to show with the worn trail. Birkie staff has done an absolutely incredible job given the recent weather. Looks like they've been working on piling snow near old Telemark to work even more magic.

(Ian Boylan)

Took a hike out my back door to look at Birkie Prince Haakon start. Four weeks out yet. Has about a 2" soggy base, dissipating. Too soft to ski on right now.

Photos:

(Audun Mikkelson)

Honestly, I wish you could have skied with me today. It was that amazing. Conditions aren't been good enough for a Birkie start to Hatchery ski like years past, so this morning I took advantage of the Birkie man-made snow loops. Conditions were absolutely perfect! Classic skied 11 full loops with all the hills and three smaller loops. I want to say somewhere in the 40 something km range, but I'm not exactly sure -- 3 hours 16 minutes. The temperature was about 35F so the man-made snow was firm but softened up. The tracks were solid, deep and bobsled fast with ample kick. Hill climbs were firm with give for traction. Downhill sections were fast, well groomed and controllable. This was the best training ski I've had all season. I'm so thankful for the entire Birkie team for this gem in the northland! Enjoy the ski.

Photos:

(Kevin Grand)

Attempted a ski from OO to Boedecker (out on ski trail and back on classic). Amazing what a day makes. Yesterday was in the tracks almost 95% of the time. Today spent over 50% on what is left of the skate trail. Unfortunately, on one southern facing down hill had experience of trail narrowing to less than 3 feet wide of snow left - will be gone soon. OO to Boedecker is not a recommended loop in my opinion (sadly).

(George Larson)

Strided starting at Hwy OO Classic to Boedeckker and back on Skate trail couple times. More grass organic popping up but still fun. Have to hop out of tracks once in while for the white stuff. Now, if we could get those Birkie snow guns freshening it up the Boedecker loop a bit, we'd really be cooking!

(Audun Mikkelson)