Well folks, here we go again! The snow we were hoping for all season came last night. We had six new inches of very nice snow that has shrink a bit due to high sun angle and warm ground. Not sure how he did it, but DPR coaxed Ancient One off his couch this morning to help roll a 8k loop(mostly). The outer loop was rolled except for Wash Pond. DPR, Robin and the Engineer were out trail testing this afternoon. They planned to ski a lap, but had enough fun that they stayed for two. The short paved sections of the loop require double polling along the edge as the snow on them is either plowed, melted or two thin. Same for the paved trail crossings at the grade and near the parking lot. Some shoveling was done to cover the crossings, but they should be approached with caution and you may have to dismount and hike across. There a few bare spots on some of the exposed uphill's. Grooming plans: DPR plans a screening/shoveling run in the morning. So, for the very desperate among you, if you want to join DPR and his buddies, there should be a little fun to be had on the slopes in the morning. Only come if you can enjoy the challenges of negotiating the thin covered rough terrain along with the obstacles mentioned above. Rock skis for sure. If you come, please ski with extreme caution. Hope I didn't sugar coat it too much.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Closed! Well folks, like most of the rest of you, I hope it is a long time before we see another winter season like this one has been (so far). This is the first year in the 36 seasons that the Trail Crew has been working the trails at Woodlands that my annual trail mowing km has exceeded my grooming km, and it wasn't even close. We are glad that some of you were able to get out the last few days for a little bit of overland rock skiing fun. If winter does make a late season comeback, the trail crew will be ready to get after it. Until next we see you on snow, Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Beautiful skate ski - amazed to find well groomed and covered trails for skate ( no classic trail). Couple easy to avoid bare spots and the usual few sticks - and bit strange (after last season) you'll hear your poles click on the hard asphalt underneath. Get it while it lasts! Thanks for keeping the faith grooming team!

(Kyle Henning)

Babe and DPR just finished another run with the rollers. Somewhat surprisingly, they reported quite a few ski tracks on the trails. There are more very desperate skiers out there than expected. The roller run, coupled with the cold temps, should firm the base up a bit for tomorrow morning, but will do nothing to smooth the bumps or improve the extremely thin base. My daughter and granddaughter were among those who needed a lap around their home course. They said their ski was fun, but the drainage trenches were quite a challenge on the downhills. If you come out for a Saturday ski, bring rock skis, low expectations, ski only on the trails you are comfortable skiing and ski with caution, all warranted by the marginal trail conditions. There are a few small bare spots showing up, including on some of the paved trail sections.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Five new inches rolled! I rode the rollers with Lumberjack this morning. The trail testers were out while we were grooming and offered the comment "skiable, but rugged". Rock skis are a definite and a rough ride should be expected, especially over the drainage channels the groomers affectionally refer to as "tank traps". Also mind the thin coverage on the paved trails. I was up at the Ridge yesterday where the youth of our sport put on quite a spectacle. It was super fun. It was a nice surprise to come home to groomable snow and when the sun came up this morning I realized I had forgotten how beautiful winter can be. Enjoy with caution.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)