Skied the east side on fresh corduroy with very good snow cover. The trails were bit soft in sections and the fresh snow slowed the glide some but it was very smooth. A few trails are closed for logging but there is plenty of trail with variety to ski. The classic trails were set and had new snow in them. More grooming is planned and will just improve the conditions that are already very nice.

(Chuck Henning)

There is a logging project in progress on the East system, more later. Jerry and I arrived to find new grooming on the deck and two inches of fluff in the classic track. Almost all I have skied this year has been some form of ice, not real snow... Jerry skied classic waxable skis while I took a set of skins. The skins were not the best choice for dealing with the deep fluff in the track. They worked in the fluff, but much better on the deck or in packed track. We also found scattered sections of newly cut classic track. I do not know this trail system so I can't tell you where the cut track is, or how it lines up within the system. Jerry and I packed a lot of fluff filled track over a 2.5 hour plus tour. Watching the time and sun position, we set up to ski back to the cabin. We bumped up against the logging project closure at Point #29. We backtracked and found the way out, including some fast downhill action on serpentine trails. Fun stuff on the fresh grooming! Some of the most difficult hill sections include a unique way of describing the difficulty factor. For you tree people, there is a stand of Eastern Hemlock on this trail system. I might have seen some Yellow Birch too. Both species would be at the far end of their range. Beautiful! A few other skiers were about. With the track fluff factor in mid speed downhill turns, I could usually hold track with the outside ski edged up and well weighted. I lost a few times and it was no problem to skid or step the turn. The fast stuff with turns was all on the deck. It was a beautiful trip with a very good workout on excellent grooming.

(Jeff Bolte)

Conditions Tuesday noon were fantastic. Groomed both the East side and West side trails yesterday and again this AM. Great base and a new trail on the east side of the ridge is totally fun. Great edge control and no need for B skis.

(Dave Swanson)

The trails are surprisingly great! The large amount of snow that came last week has finally been compacted. The icy surface has been groomed leaving a firm snow packed surface. Fast conditions with good edge control.

(Steve Schleppegrell)

We're estimating the Blue Hills received 9" of heavy snow Monday from Winter Storm Jaxon. Skiers are jumping for joy! With all this new snow, you shouldn't have to worry about taking a spill. In attached pictures, one skier demonstrates his technique for a classic fall.
Grooming plans: We don't expect the access road (Firelane Road) to be plowed until some time Wednesday. Our groomers were able to reach the trailhead, and began working the new snow this morning. This abundant snowfall means the trails will be soft until the snow sets up and groomers are able to make multiple passes. While awaiting firm skiing conditions, consider stomping our several snowshoe trails that start next to the warming house - our website offers a Snowshow Trails map.

Photos:

(Tom Paulsen, Blue Hills Trail Association)

Firm packed powder. Skating and striding conditions on recently groomed trails were excellent today. With bright sunshine and temps in the mid 30s, the snow became sticky around noon. Most (but not all) trails have a fresh classic track - if the track disappears, keep on going, it'll reappear. A couple ungroomed trails have 2-3" snow on a firm base.

Photos:

(Tom Paulsen, Blue Hills Trail Association)

Beautiful day in the hills. All trails freshly groomed. Tracks set throughout. Fast surface today and can only improve with the warmer weather this weekend.

(Stephen Schleppegrell)

We skied the outer loop on the east side. There was a track most of the way. The sleet from Friday mixed with the new snow made the tracks fast. Also skied the west side. Found it fantastic, firm skate deck and good solid tracks. Light snow was falling.

(Karen Possley)

Only skied the West system: The classic tracks and the skating deck were solid, and there was enough snow except for snowplowing on the hills. There was a little bit of leaf and needle litter, as expected from the lack of recent snow. These obstacles were easily avoided, but impacted the skating deck more than the tracks. Other skiers said that grooming of the West system was fresher than the East, and the more heavier used East was not in as good condition as the West.

(Dave Henning)

Great track and well groomed skate deck. Skied the west side and it was great. The weather was beautiful and toko red worked well, used rex blue glide and it was good.

(Dick Gladitsch)