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Skiing Birkie Trail Snippets in Hayward Lakes

by Ian McKay, Fox 47
Fri, December 5th 2025 at 8:00 AM


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Most of the time when people go to the Birkie Trail, they’re not looking to ski the length of the trail. They want to drive to one spot, experience a nice part of the Trail, and return to their vehicle. Here are some places to jump onto the BT:

1. Hatchery Creek County Park – If you’re in Hayward, the Hatchery is an easy go-to. You’ll find 4K of hilly trails within the park, but the real skiing is on the Birkie Trail. For a quick workout, ski 6 or 7K north to Mosquito Brook Rd., then back. There are some big hills, and as with the rest of the BT, the scenery is nice as long as you like trees. Warming hut, toilets, and water are available.

2. Mosquito Brook Rd. –If you get on the BT here and ski north, you can turn around at Gravel Pit Rd. and have 14K. It’s a roller coaster—I don’t think there’s a flat spot in it. Pretty, though. A warming hut is available, plus an outhouse that isn’t fancy.

3. OO – Go here if you have new or relatively-unskilled skiers in your party. There are flat and mildly hilly loops close to the trailhead: even experienced skiers like to use them to practice technique. Of course, you can get a hard and hilly workout by skiing north or south on the Birkie Trail. You’re in the geographic center of the trail, so get 50K if you want. North of OO there are both Skate and Classic trails; south of OO there is one Birkie Trail with both kinds of tracks. Huge warming hut, water, nice bathrooms, fitness park.

4. Mt. Telemark Village – Anytime between November and March, there will be manmade snow and groomed trails at this complex in Cable. It’s a great facility. The trails are beautifully laid out to take advantage of a hilly and scenic piece of land. Water, bathrooms, multiple warming facilities, a ski shop, coffee, beer, you name it.


Skiing on the Birkie Trail requires a Birkie Trail pass; skiing at Mt. Telemark requires an All-Access pass. Both passes are available at www.birkie.com.

Posted December 16, 2025 at 10:17 am