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)

The skate deck has firmed up and is mostly excellent and wide - great for cruising - one soft area at the far north end where the trail was widened recently, one bare / icy spot that is easy to see and avoid, and a few spots that show a little grass poking through (very minor). Classic tracks looked universally excellent.

(Karl Dewahl)

Soft new snow over a relatively soft base - very pretty. Course is a lot shorter than last year - 5.4k, down from 7.5. Classic tracks looked pretty good but also soft. Flows nice, but it is down to one significant climb.

(Karl Dewahl)

Nice surprise today at Phalen. Skied this afternoon on a nicely rolled trail. The layout is different but a fun ski. Plenty of snow!

(Bill Stuber)

Not quite enough snow to groom today, but hopefully tomorrow. There is a lot of ice under the fresh snow, so if you head out on course please be careful.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

It is all grass or ice out there right now, and completely unskiable. Trails will remain closed until we get more snow.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

We brought equipment over to Phalen today to attempt a groom. Unfortunately much of the trail is windblown and down to bare ground. Until we get another significant snowfall, we won't be able to put in a trail at Phalen.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Popped over to Phalen today to see if the trails had been groomed. No such luck today. I skied around the golf course, basically following the grooming route. The fluffy snow over hard frozen ground made it difficult to get good pole purchse, but it was lovely to be out on natural snow.

(Jonathan Poppele)