Birkie trail head and Telemark trails were fantastic this morning, fresh corduroy from heaven! Grooming stopped at the powerline hills, but looping back on the classic and Telemark trails were awesome! Head out if you can, major kudos to the Birkie groomers!

Photos:

(Mark Tollerud)

I skied out from Hatchery Creek. The trail was freshly groomed for skating and lightly traveled, but there are no classic tracks. The conditions were excellent, with only a few thin spots near the park. I give it a 10.

(Don Quick)

Skiers have been skiing in the 5 inches of wonderful new snow from several days ago. No grooming or tracks set from Lake Hayward to Gravel Pit.

(Audun Mikkelson)

I skated the Skate and Classic Trail north and south of Bodecker Road this morning. The skiing was pretty good for B skis. There were some branches and debris and a few thin spots on the ski trails. The trails had not been groomed for a couple of days and no track was set, although skiers had skied one in. The skate lane was pretty firm and level with solid pole plants. Nice day to be out!

Photos:

(David Martin)

Skied south on the classic trail from North End to Bodecker and back on the skate trail. There was a light dusting across the board. Classic trail was well packed and had been groomed to corduroy. No tracks. The skate trail from Bodecker to Timber Trail had a much softer deck than the classic trail and we found ourselves punching through much more, especially on the uphills when we had to herringbone. Every now and again there was a set classic track that we could hop into on the skate deck, with the most continuous section of classic track between High Point and Timber Trail. After Timber Trail the skate trail was much more well packed, though the set classic track disappeared. The occasional rock and stick with plenty of grass in the thin areas, but coverage is impressively good and most debris is avoidable.

(Ketzel Levens)

Skied open portions of the World Cup snow making areas and about 5k south on Birkie skate. Solid B ski conditions throughout.

(Per Nelson)

Skated at the OO trailhead today. Seeley received about 1" of snow on Friday night so there was a fresh layer of snow on top of Wednesday's groomed paths. Trail still needs to be skied in but happy to have trails to ski!

(Matthew Skoglund)

I skied the trails at the Birkie start and also out on the Birkie trail to the Northend trails (which were not groomed). The course was freshly rolled, and classic tracks were set for much of it. Surprisingly the natural snow seems to ski better than the manufactured stuff, There is pretty good coverage, but the base is rather thin, and branches occasionally stick out of the snow. I both skated and strode with quite acceptable results. Amazing for December 1! It's also fun to see the improvements happening at the Great Hall and on the former lodge footprint.

(Jim Mohr)

Skied Hatchery to the 17k. Trail is groomed to Hatchery, not beyond. Pretty soft in spots, but very nice skiing for Dec 1. Beware of rocks disguised as leaves, as there is variable coverage. Thank you groomers for giving us a great opportunity for early season skiing!

(Sarah Hamilton)

Skied the the lit loop at OO and the classic trail north of OO. The groomer had just gone north so corduroy was nice and surprisingly firm. The skate trail was groomed but softer. Grass and some debris on trail from winds yesterday.

(Karen Possley)