Classic skied north from OO about 9KM on classic trail and back on skate trail from Boedecker. Birkie Tour going on today. Skate deck was good skis. Classic tracks were debatable whether good skis or B skis. There are spots now and then showing thinness in the track base with grass showing through or leaves or dirt. I used my good skis and noticed a couple new scratches after my ski. If you can anticipate and see the thin base spots, I suppose you could step out onto the skate deck to avoid the spots. Birkie Land needs more snow.

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(Ken Kuznia)

Skied north from Mosquito Brook to OO and back. Slow conditions due to -17F snow at the start. Solid deck was in great condition. Classic tracks looked deep and intact. Used my good skis with no concerns. A few isolated small patches, easily navigated around, where snow was a little thinner. Great trail.

(William Sikorski)

I skied the loops at Hwy OO and a little of the southbound main trail. Grooming was pretty good. There were some small dirty spots and a few leaves and twigs, but easy to avoid. The classic tracks on one side were new and on the other side, older but good. The tracks also had some leaves and some small dirty spots. I give it an 8.

(Don Quick)

Skate skied from OO to Fire Tower and back - out on the Classic trail and back on the Skate trail. Conditions were very good but there was some debris (dirt) and sticks poking through the snow, all avoidable. Thank you groomers!

(Genevieve Johnson)

Classic skied around 20 something km on the Birkie Trail from Trailhead start, late this morning. Conditions were fabulous for the amount of snow. The tracks and the skate deck were phenomenally groomed, hard but softening up with the warming temperature of midday, not icy at all. Glide was pretty good and kick was solid ascending hills. Noticed a few grassy and dirty areas that were easily avoidable. An awesome ski. Can't wait to ski it again!

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(Kevin Grand)

A cold start of a new year. -3F at OO at noon. Classic south of OO had an old but good track southbound, the northbound track is faint at places. Skate deck had a lot of use over the past few days and definitely needs some grooming as it is getting very hard-packed. The skate trail from Boedecker to Fire tower is in better shape and has really nice classic tracks. The classic trail has not been groomed again since the last snowfall from last Tuesday. I was on my classic skis on it and I feel it might be nicer to skate with the two inches of powder to cover the hard base.

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(Gui Girard)

Skiing with Coon Rapids Team for winter camp I made it 3k north of Gravel Pit and south to Mosquito. Really nice deck on the afternoon. Happy to see so many smiling faces. Happy New Year!

(Scott Hoggarth)

Skied from double OO to the Trail Head. A bit of grass and dirt in the early km's. As I went further north the snow cover was better. I saw about twenty skiers on the way north. On the way back to OO I saw about 10 skiers. Everyone must have headed south to ski. Lot had two busses and over fifty cars. Well worth the drive from the twin Cities. I'd use B skis.

(Jim Williams)

I skated north from Bodecker Trailhead to the High Point on the Birkie Trail. The skiing was very good as a new track (both sides) and the skate lane had been recently groomed. The Birkie Classic Trail had a couple of inches of new snow that skiers were skiing in. On the main Birkie Trail, there were a few thin spots along the way. I then skied south of Bodecker and included the Roam Campground Trail, where I found freshly groomed trails. All and all, the skiing was very good, with lots of folks out enjoying the trails. Happy New Year!

(David Martin)

I went to Hatchery Creek but found no groomed trail in the park. What used to be the Birkie trail entering the park was blocked by a pile of downed trees. So, I drove to the Mosquito Brook trailhead and skied north. The skate deck there was groomed, firm, and clean. There were nice classic tracks on both sides.

(Don Quick)