With the current rain and forecast highs in the 40s or 50s for the next ten days, we are suspending our grooming of cross country trails for the season. There is a lot of snow still out there, but it is already getting thin in spots and portions of the golf course will start to thaw very quickly. It will also be very hard on our equipment to try and grind up any slush that refreezes into ice. Even if we get a significant snowfall in the coming weeks we do not intend to groom again this season. In the coming days we will put away all of our equipment for the season and start preparing for golf at all of our courses.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Always nice to drive by Phalen and see new grooming. Classic tracks and wide skate deck set. Snow is lumpy in spots but still very nice to skate on. Classic tracks were variable, smooth and deep and then rough in other places. Looks like they were dealing with wet snow. Nice loop to ski!

(Bill Stuber)

Truly baffling grooming at Phalen today. Looked like the pisten bully had been out but that the grooming implement hadn't been set down. The entire trail was very lumpy cat tracks with no corduroy or classic tracks. Tons of snow though and was nice to be out at 6:30 pm in the sun.

(Scott Kyser)

Wide solid skate deck and clean classis tracks. Best conditions in years. Battle Creek with Games loop and three amigos last night and Phalen tonight, Eastside skiing is alive this year.

(Todd White)

Conditions are reported as great at Phalen. We groomed everything today after a couple of days off. We have had some equipment issues but will try to groom every couple of days while conditions allow.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Piston Bully was grooming this morning. Should be nice and firm. He was on a final pass with the track setter on when I drove by.

(Jeremy Sartain)

Spent an hour skiing the 5.3k loop around noon. Gorgeous sunny day. Classic tracks looked to be groomed in the morning. Washed out in certain areas, but mostly perfect. The Phalen course is excellent!

(Billy Flynn)

All trails were groomed and tracked this morning. Conditions are great with a lot of base and deep tracks, enjoy! Using the piston bully for the first time in years.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

I had a great ski this morning. Only saw one other skier at 8:30 AM. Hoping for more snow and a long season.

(David Barrett)

5.3k trail at Phalen is in good shape. Skate deck is firm but not hard, so either soft or hard-track skis work fine. There were only 5 or 6 sets of skating tracks visible so the corduroy was great. Classic tracks were so-so; kind of thin and washed out in the corners, and littered with oak leaves in a few places. But overall both the skating and striding were pretty good. Note that if you park near the beach, as I usually do, you will have to hike a few yards in the snow since the new trail route turns away from the road across from the west end of that parking lot.

(Pete Thurmes)