Exquisite. I took Shear Pin's advice and chugged around the outer loop mid-morning. It was a blast! I found the trail comfortably firm, but soft enough for my aging knees. The sunny exposures had already stared to soften by 10:30. This lap was my own personal way to celebrate 30 years of the volunteer efforts of the Woodlands Trail Crew. In those 30 years, they have built more than 12 miles of trail (all trails at Woodlands except for the GNT (old railroad trail), cutting over 5000 trees in the process. They have groomed more than 50,000 miles along with summer mowing and storm damage/disease tree removal. All of this is done out of love of community and a passion for winter recreation. Seeing all of the happy trail users this past weekend is why they do what they do. I could not be more proud of the accomplishments of the men and women of the Woodlands Trail Crew and would like to take this opportunity to thank them. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Shear Pin and the Goddess-of-the-Trail (she hasn't been on a Skandic for a while) just finished their evening run with the rollers followed with the light screens for our Monday skiing pleasure. Tracks were set this morning on the interior trails and Wash Pond. The tracks got a really good run today as did the winter walking trail and skate trails. Groomer hint from Shear Pin: if you can call in late for work on Monday and ski before the day warms, you will not be disappointed and may be treated to the best Woodlands ski of the season. Enjoy it before it melts away!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Chainsaw just reported in that he and Reverse finished their rolling run of our new 7.5 inches. Big snow events are big work for the trail crew. Ancient One and Blooming Onion will head out early Sunday for another pass before handing the sleds off to the dead tree cutting crew. Expect a soft trail for your Sunday ski. We will set tracks after the wind dies down on Monday. The roller humps will be screened during the week. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

With several of the Trail Crew across the boarder for the big race tomorrow, Eagle 17 to spring Babe from the Old Groomers Home for their evening run around the outer loop with the rollers. Tracks are set on trails west of the grade. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Four new inches rolled and ready for a nice soft ski. Ancient One and Reverse(earned his nickname this morning compliments of his extraordinary ability to roll in reverse as good as most of us can going forward) spent three hours rolling the trails curb to curb this morning. Expect very good, but soft, conditions. There are the usual roller humpty bumps that will be there until we can run the screens. Best snow of the year just in time for the weekend when most folks head to Wisconsin for their skiing fun. Lumber Jack is heading out now to set a few tracks for us. There will be a little biathlon activity in the park both Saturday and Sunday, so keep an eye out for them and our growing deer herd.
Enjoy this great winter weekend, wherever you choose to be on the snow!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Two and one half new inches of real snow! There is nothing like a little fresh snow to get things hopping in the Grooming Cave. Shear Pin and Ancient One rolled the first round last night to create a bonding layer to the firm base. Chainsaw and The New Coach are rolling again this morning. This snow is just what the doctor ordered for our thinning base and should make for some fine skiing. The Prairie Loop is not groomed and should be avoided due to thin coverage over the asphalt. Stony Rollers is open, but was windblown for the first round of grooming last night, leaving many slick stretches. There should be no issue running any ski in your arsenal on groomed trails.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Once again, the grooming crew had done a great job. Came in with low expectations after the melt a couple days ago, but they were far exceeded. The trails are very firm and very fast, but you are able to get an edge in everywhere. The downhill section on bull snake run is the iciest part, but not dangerously so. Sections of stony rollers, and the tops of a couple hills, where there is usually ice, are very good, with no edging problems. As usual, there is some debris, but less than normal, mostly leaves and twigs, no big sticks. The trails are also as flat as I've seen them all year. Should be a great weekend of skiing out there!

(Zach Varty)

Once again, the warm weather has not done us any favors. We still have continuous coverage on the grass trails of the outer loop, but there are a few places it is very thin and a bit icy. The Prairie Loop has considerable exposed asphalt and should be avoided. The Poplar Loop is best option to return to the start area. Ancient One and Eagle 17 went around the outer loop twice late Thursday afternoon with the tandem screens to scratch up as much profile as possible before the temps dropped. They indicated that grooming went well. The trail testers will be out this morning and will report on how well it skis and if there is enough grip where it is needed. B minus skis for sure due to the short icy stretches, thin spots, dust from the adjacent gravel mining, and tree litter on the trails. Enjoy with caution!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Woodland was in great shape today, good skate deck allowed control on downhills. I used good skis and did them no harm, but frequent debris in the trail to make me think I should have used B skis. Avoid the Prairie Loop; from North Mickey I detoured past South Crossing (GFE) to return to the trailhead. No tracks to speak of.

(John Kendrick)

Almost perfect. A few twigs on soft yet firm snow. Intermediate to advanced skiers will enjoy the curvy downhills.

(Doug McDonald)