All 25k recon and grooming run. The Tuesday night rain transitioned to 32° snow then a falling barometer and temp gave us 3" fresh that stayed put! Lighter winds than forecast so this turned out just about perfect conditions for race weekend with a layer of cold dry snow bonded to a solid flat base beneath it. Grooming was fast and uneventful except for the ice laden branches bending down in places. We trimmed lots of brush back and managed to pack all 25 kilometers with multiple passes. Classic track goes in with warming temps Friday. Expect firm skating on hard packed powder top, perhaps warming quickly on race day. It's beautiful! See you at the start!

Photos:

(Mark Morrissey, Minnesota Finlandia)

All 25k of the Finlandia race course are groomed out flat and excellent skate skiing. Classic tracks on most of the west side. There are a few thin areas on south facing trails but the skiing is superb. Another freeze and any snow we get will give us an excellent opportunity for perfect trails. This morning was frozen corduroy over a wide skate lane. Loved it! See you at the start line!

Photos:

(Mark Morrissey, Minnesota Finlandia)

Groomed the west side today for skate and classic. Conditions are a little soft. Plenty of snow. Tunnel now has snow in it too!

(Mike Huerbin, Minnesota Finlandia)