Everything groomed with big Ginzu. Tracks set everywhere. Skate lane is a bit soft in spots and new classic tracks will be as well. Tracks from yesterday are firm.

(Jeremy Cowell)

Some of our group skied 16k Classic and other skated today. The classic track was good but the loop at the end of the Highland Lowland lakes was not tracked. The skate lane was a bit soft but very skiable. It was a beautiful day to be skiing!

(Gale Otterholt)

Entire system groomed this morning with Gator and big Ginsu. Tracks everywhere but Dog Island. Will groom again early tomorrow morning.

(Jeremy Cowell)

An All-Star three-man grooming crew produced what the Chief proclaimed an Olympic-class Trail! The entire system contains groomed skate deck and track.

(Mike Dahlby)

Skied Dog Lake Trail this afternoon, twice -- perfect conditions. Sincere thank you to the groomers, great work.
Classic track set.

(Jo Hecke)

All trails rolled and combed last night. The intent is to set a track and continue to refine the skate lane today. Very skiable as is, just might be a little soft. With a little luck and love the trail might just be closing in on perfect! Believe it or not, it took approximately 14 hours to pack, roll, and comb after recent snowfalls on the base of ice! Great job by the Friends of Hickory Ridge and their All-Star Groomer!

(Mike Dahlby)

Trail grooming activities commenced this morning. The dry and fluffy snow is challenging for the groomers. As of 2:00pm today, the South, North, and Tram Loops have been packed with a snowmobile. Packing will continue on the Highland/Lowland and Dog-Island Loop. Depending on the timing of the next round of snow (not a complaint!), the trail may not receive actual grooming activity until Friday. All of the trails are open for use, but do not expect the ultimate in groomed conditions at this time. The beauty of the woods is cannot be overstated! The trails should be great for the weekend.

(Mike Dahlby)

Skate deck was soft on uphills with such dry snow. Classic tracks were set on most of the trails but not where snow was too shallow or where deer have been rooting around. A little dirt and duff but you could ski around it. No track on Highland Lowland section. I didn't ski Dog Island loop but heard it was groomed for skating. Tracks were fast and good kick was possible. Many happy Chippewa Valley skiers with big smiles were out there.

(Karen Possley)

I pioneered the trail skate style today. Sad that it was February to finally break the seal for me in the Hickory ski trail with the weird weather. Grooming is great but yes can certainly confirm it's soft. No surprise with no moisture in the beautiful powder. Pretty good coverage though after the big hill on Highland/Lowland when the trail goes skinny coverage is thin. I used good skis but would recommend B skis. Track is set for classic in most spots on the North and South loop including Tram too. One more note, snow is a bit wavy in a fair amount of placed just cause it's really the first big snow up there. Makes one focus on balance especially when it's softer.

(Brady Zwiefelhofer)

All of the trails have been groomed for skating and look great. The base appears to be approx. 4" but not ideally hardened yet. Felt a little soft under foot but should still ski good. A track has been set on the South Loop, North Loop, Tram Lake Loop, and up to and including the Dog-Island Lake Loop. The warming house at the Dog Island Lake Loop is open. The parking lot at the warming house was not fully plowed but I had no problem driving to the warming house in 2WD.

Photos:

(Mike Dahlby)