The base coverage on our groomed trails has been beaten below 90% by the sun and warmth. There is not enough snow to repair the ski trails, so we will be closing for the season at the end of today. We had first skiing on 19 November, and first grooming on 1 December, so it has been a good ski season, despite being 13 inches below average snowfall! Those who must get an April ski in are welcome to ski the trails, at your own risk, however the chalet will be closed for the next week. We will begin cutting "problem trees", and improving the trails for next season, the following week. A big thank you to our members, who keep us going, and to all of the visitors/day pass skiers who visited this season. We'll see you next season. Think Snow!

(John Graham)

Wow! The season maintenance by the "3 J's" and the restrictions as needed really made a difference! This is the first year ever that I can think of where the skating was still this good, especially with having a low snow year, this time of year. In past years there were patches of grass and ice all over, today it is still 98% covered with snow, some ice but not the scary kind, and it is basically the same as it was last Wednesday when I posted! Amazing! It was a bit soft when I skied, but it was still awesome! I skied all but the special K because my dog won't go there.

(Eve Graves)

Thursday's rain dissolved much of the top-cover that we had created on top of the base. The base is thin, and icy, but still covering 95% of the groomed trails, We ran a groomer over the 5K/Special K this morning and would call it "Hero-Conditions": ski-able for a competent skate skier who just wants one more day of skiing. We are open until 8 tonight, and will be open tomorrow, 8 - 8. Non-members are not required to pay to ski at this point; if you want to make a donation to our operations after you ski, it will be appreciated.

(John Graham)

Passing through Duluth, stopped by Snowflake to enjoy the late season grooming and skiing on the 5km. Did a couple laps. Really no areas of issue that altered my skiing or experience, just one very very short bare spot that is easily identifiable. Great late season skiing on tilled soft corn snow on top of firm base.

Photos:

(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)

Groomed the 5K and northern sections of the 10K this morning. Still about 99% trail coverage, although the base is getting thinner with each pass of the knives. Conditions were enhanced by about 1/2 inch of snow (still falling), so we have corduroy skating lanes with a dusting of new snow on top. Very nice! 5K classic track is still defined and now snow topped, however there is debris/exposed ground in about 10% of the track, so Rock Skis for Classic, and stay alert. This afternoon's forecast is not nice, so enjoy the skiing this morning, if you can.

(John Graham)

Mostly great conditions with occasional burnouts. The 6-7K of trail was definitely worth a ski. Very firm base this evening with enough snow on the top to get a good edge. The trail was still safe and the snow was pebbled making for a fast ski. The occasional burnouts were easy to step around with the exception of one on a south facing downhill. There were also 2 "Ice Lava flows" where you need to be cautious. One is on the Special K and one just before the Special K. I would guess it's now up to mother nature on whether there is more skiing at Snowflake this year. Thanks goes out to John and the other Groomers for all their hard work this season!

Photos:

(Nic Bacigalupo)

Huge thank you to John squared for their hard work in creating what was called "dreamy" conditions again today! Fast 5k, not icy fast, sugar snow fast with the usual Bee Hollow bare spot on the downhill and partially on the opposite uphill along with one big ice patch at the bottom of Takeitez and a couple of thinner uphills... the rest was impeccable! Wow! I couldn't stop going around and around! I skied all of the 10k that was groomed multiple times along with the 5k! Give the John's a big hug if you see them! Thanks for the deliciously wonderful trails!

(Eve Graves)

Thanks, John! You were right, the skating was memorable. I side-stepped down Bee Hollow, electing not to try the narrow path John had shoveled, and I snowplowed Takitez, and at that speed I could easily avoid the ice at the bottom by stepping out to the right. Otherwise for all the 5 K, including special K, and the north half of the 10 K, the trail was very fast, smooth, no bumps at all, and had sufficient grooming that even a 66-year old with two artificial hips felt very comfortable. Wow, what a birthday present!

(Tim Holst)

Tuesday night, almost midnight, and just finished grooming the skate lanes on the 5K/SpecialK/10K(-). Set the knives a little deeper and all of the trails (helped by this nice, cold temperature) groomed-up better than they were this morning. Classic track on the 5K remains well formed, but icy hard; I can't improve it with the snow available. The only major deterioration is the previously reported hill into Bee Hollow: that bare ground is now about 25 feet and you'll have to cross it. The 10K groomed trails are better than the 5K. We're open 8 - 8 on Wednesday and Thursday. I think the skating tomorrow will be memorable.

(John Graham)

10:00 a.m. and just completed grooming the 5K/SpecialK/Northern Sections of 10K. All trails have a hard, icy, rather thin base, however the shallow-set Ginzu knives did a nice job scraping off the makings of a nice corduroy top-layer. Very pretty (see photo)! The 5K/SpK are 99% covered; only exposed ground is a 15' section prior to Bee Hollow, which must be walked. Ice ponds at the bottom or Takitez and the big turn on Special K. 5K Classic track is still formed and very solid, but it is icy. The Northern 10K sections have more cover/thicker base than the 5K and I ran the groomer over them 7 times. Only exposed ground is on Geno's Jump. I groomed the return trail all the way up Geno's Jump, under the Tree Bridge, to Fisketti Junction. No Classic track on the 10K, but fine, fast skating. I recommend entering the 10K by skiing out and in from the trailhead, all the way to Fisketti; Geno's Jump is safe for climbing, but unsafe to ski down. Map in the chalet is updated. B Skis should be fine if you look ahead as you ski. The direct sun will take a toll on the newly ground "snow", so get it while we have it. Open 8 - 8 today and tomorrow.

Photos:

(John Graham)