In a word, fantastic. I started about noon today from the start area and went south on the skate trail to the Fire Tower water stop and back to the start on the classic trail. From the start to the Power Lines the grooming is fresh on both the skate and classic trails. The trail is groomed to it's full race width with full depth classic tracks on both edges. From the start of the Power Lines to Timber Trail the grooming is a few days old and covered with less than an inch of new snow. Still plenty of corduroy, just hidden under a skiff of snow. From Timber Trail south the grooming is fresh again with lots of untrammeled corduroy. The only unpleasantness I encountered all day was at the Timber Trail road crossing. The township plowed the road all the way down to gravel which left a good sized berm on each side of the road. For the time being, you can no longer cross Timber Trail without removing your skis.

(Andy Schwartz)

Was really wishing I had a camera skiing, but I get “phone-freeze” So no pictures; then wished my “smart watch” (haha ) could take a photo, but it’s too dumb; then I decided that my mind would have to suffice to save the image I was seeing, and words would have to describe the picture I wished I could take: Perfectly gorgeous snow beneath my classic skis which were nestled into wonderfully firm tracks -- freshly groomed with minimal use, begging to be kicked in. Above, the trees near the high point became like frosted mugs, hoar frost clinging to the branches pretending to be white baby leaves. So fun to look around and see all that snow and enjoy all that perfect grooming. Thank you Birkie groomers!

(Michelle Flanagan-Haag, Skinnyski.com Race Team)

The crew got out grooming Monday night and a light snow is falling Tuesday morning. Temps have dropped into the teens and it’s beautiful out there. Duffy Rd. to Gravel Pit and the Hatchery Loops were groomed and the skate and classic trails from OO to Timber Trail were groomed.
Please be advised that there is a high school race at Hwy OO Tuesday and the loops are currently setup for that course. We will groom the OO loops again this evening.

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

From the North End I skied south on the Birkie Classic trail to the Timber trail cabin and then came back north on the North End trails.
The Birkie trail had about an inch of snow that made things a little slow but not too bad. The NE trails were faster and are probably the go-to trails until the next grooming event. Regardless of the speed, these are the best conditions in years.

(Dan Murphy)

Skied today OO south. Trails are in need of grooming and icy. According to the Birkie web site this section has not been groomed in days. Disappointing after a long drive here.

(Diane Gustin)

We were able to get out and finish the skate and classic trails from OO to Fire Tower Saturday night. There’s still snow in the trees and the temps are very mild - it’s going to be a beautiful day to ski in the north woods!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Skied from OO to Mosquito Brook this morning on skins. Fresh snow in the tracks that had been skied on. Seemed like less fresh snow gradually toward MB and glazing in the tracks. Beautiful day, great skiing! Someone said, "like skiing in the clouds". Lots of skiers out there.

Photos:

(Roy Brohaugh)

There’s a light snow falling and freshly groomed trails in Birkieland! The loops at the American Birkebeiner Trailhead were groomed last night, including the Telemark loops. The OO loops, Hatchery loops and the trail from OO to Hatchery were groomed this morning. Tracks were reset on the Easy Strider loops as well! Enjoy!

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)

Classic skied from OO south from 29K to 22K and back. Tracks were in good shape but do show some wear and tear. Deck of the trail was not in pristine form but provided ample traction to make the descents safe for intermediate skiiers such as myself. It has been 10 years since I last skied on the Birkie trail. We enjoyed the trail enough that we plan to do it again tomorrow.

(Roy Peterson)

The entire trail from Duffy Rd to the American Birkebeiner Trailhead was groomed overnight and this morning, including all loops and both skate and classic trails. The Birkie Tour is happening on the north half of the trail with the course running south on the skate trail and north on the Classic trail.

(Kurt Proctor, American Birkebeiner)