We have closed our courses for the season now. Thank you for your understanding as we worked around tree removal this winter. See you in the fall!

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

If you're not ready to call it a season yet (or have new gear to try from year-end sales), crust skiing at Como was pretty good. I stayed away from the Golf Course and went to the nearby park green spaces and fields, parking at the picnic area (west of Lexington and north of Como Ave.). As long as you stay away from people's tracks and places where the sun has melted down to grass or ice, it's great fun to be able to ski anywhere, not bound by trails or lines. I went before the temps got above freezing and there was a nice firm crust that allowed just enough edge for some fast and fun skating. You can even race the cars going by on Como and Lexington! Attached are a few photos of conditions and a GPS Tracking map showing my aimless wandering of about 11K.

Photos:

(Kent York)

We put our last groom of the season on the trail Monday morning. We will begin to pack up equipment and prepare for the coming golf season. The trails will remain open for now so feel free to enjoy. Thanks for your patience this year as we worked through the necessary tree work on the course.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Expect spring skiing! I was on the trail at noon, by 1pm the snow was getting quite soft and I was pushing through the deck in spots. A few bare patches on South facing areas; worst is in the trees on the big hill returning from the North bowl and just South of the bridge. Bottom line: sunny day March skiing is still more fun than rollerskis!

(Jeff Miersch)

Good classic and skate skiing this morning. Use rock skis as there are some icy patches and bare spots, but definitely worth it. Skate track grooming was occurring while I was out there, around 7:45am.

(Peg Wright)

Skated from about 5 to 6:30 p.m. Great to be back at Como after nearly two seasons away! Thanks to the groomers for making this late season effort! Overall coverage was good and the skate lane was soft enough to get an edge. Where it was good it was very good, and fast! But there were some significant icy patches, mostly avoidable if you keep your eyes open. However, I would caution against going down the last big hill by the downhill ski hill. It is icy all the way across the top under the pine trees at the crest of the hill, and also at the bottom. I thought I'd ski to the side on ungroomed snow but was thrown by an unexpected deep snow spot so I don't recommend that either. On my second loop I retraced my steps and went down the hill I had come up, which wasn't ideal either. I'd also like to caution skiers against skiing on the darker portions of the trail (the north sections) after dark because of a few branches sticking up through the snow. They are easily avoided if you can see them, but might be a problem if you don't. Overall I was amazed at how few branches were visible though, considering all the tree work there. If you're a beginner, stick to the southern portions of the course, by the zoo, where the snow is almost always good.

(Lois Braun)

Went out there around 7pm to do some classical skiing. I definitely wouldn't go out there if you're a novice like myself because there are entire hills that have no tracks and have ice to greet you at the bottom. It also seems like they deviated from the course that they've made in the past which is understandable given all the tree work that just happened. About 75% of the tracks are good though, thanks to the grooming team for doing such a great job. Great for skating though! The skating deck overall has great coverage except for some ice patches that I imagine can be avoided.

(Erica Villanueva)

Trails in pretty good shape. Tracks are nice with a bit of ice and some tree debris. There are a few bare spots but nothing bad. Was great to ski at Como again! Thanks Park and Rec for the work!

(Elliott Krizek)

Hit the course over lunch. Fresh corduroy on the skate deck! As expected for spring skiing: soft spots, icy spots, sticks (mostly avoidable). The trail zigs-and-zags based on conditions, my Garmin measured it as a 3 mile loop total. Overall good skating.
Also looked at the classic track as I went: 75% good. Some bare grass in the track, or it disappears on ice sections. Where it exists, it looks like a perfect track.
Kudos to the Groomers of St. Paul! We appreciate the chance to get out on the neighborhood track a few last times this season. Good luck with the tree trimming...

(Jeff Miersch)

Despite the new snow, grooming was difficult today. The trail was groomed, but there's a mixed bag of conditions out there. You'll likely encounter some very slushy stuff, some ice, and some sections of pretty good skiing. We'll continue to work on it over the next couple of days and try to improve it.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)