(* probably, but isn’t that always the case?)

As you may have heard on the Birkie’s webcast, or as you may have heard on our podcast, the Birkie has gone out and sampled, prodded and tasted the snow and they’re confident they can get the race to Hayward. That’s why everything south of Gravel Pit is closed to skiing: to give them the best opportunity to keep the course in the best shape they can get it in given the conditions. You may see some twigs or grass, but you’ll mostly see snow, for 50 kilometers (55 if you’re striding), from Cable to Hayward, as it is meant to be.

A bunch of notes!

• There’s obviously contingency plans, but with more snow on the north end, the revolve around a single, long loop and nothing like last year.
• The snowmaking trails will remain open for training through race day (or close to it) and the rest of the trail north of Gravel Pit will be open the rest of this week. It will likely close at some point before or during race week.
• There’s some snow in the forecast for this weekend. If it comes, it will help a lot, although it will be more cold and dry snow, and the Birkie could really use some moisture.
• That said, the cold temperatures, down to -20˚ every day, should help the grooming team harden the course as they prepare it.
• They’re focused on downhills, and a few in particular: the south-facing downhill after Gravel Pit, the long downhill after Bitch Hill, and the downhill to Duffy’s Field. The most worrisome hills are those which you can’t see the bottom, meaning people are more likely to snowplow (so … don’t snowplow). So there will be shovel crews heading out to try to throw more snow on those areas, email ben.popp@birkie.com if you want to sign up for a shovel crew starting … today!
• You may not want to use your best skis for this race (but then again, since it counts for wave placement, you may!). If you have brand new skis [raises hand] you have a decision to make. I think I’ll probably use mine, but it may not be a wise choice. It certainly won’t be like the 2007 fast grass and graupel ski to OO, but might not be the thick carpet of snow we’re used to.
• There may not be classic tracks set on the southern portion of the trail so, classic skiers, take that under advisement.
• The lake, bridge and town should be in fine shape. It’s been cold and there’s no thick blanket of snow on the lake so there’s plenty of ice. No water skiing or ice skating this year.
• Temperature-wise, the weather looks great. As much as the Birkie might love a sunny day around 35 to put some moisture in the snow, the current forecast doesn’t have temperatures above about 22 until race day. The snow that is there isn’t going anywhere. But there are no big storms on the horizon, so it’s sort of more of the same.

And in case you were wondering, I’d guess there’s now a 90% change we go to Hayward. And the other 10% is nearly all a 45 kilometer loop, but even that’s unlikely. Guys, we did it. It’s not 2024 anymore.