I hit the trail at about 10:30 this morning. There were 25 cars in the lot and the trails were full of happy skiers. Kind of like the good old days. Except for a few short stretches where the snow has begun to burn off of the icy base, ski conditions were comfortable, fast and fun. This is the first time in the last 4 ski seasons that we have strung together 4 days of both favorable snow and weather conditions at the same time. We would like to thank all of our new and old ski friends who came to Woodlands for their Saturday ski. You are the reason we do what we do. It is a couple degrees too warm for grooming this evening. Chainsaw and Ancient One will be out at first light in the morning to buff the trail for your Sunday ski. Like today, the best skiing should be early. Enjoy it while it lasts.

(Dave Anderson)

I was out at 7:00 AM everything was just as Dave advertized. Excellent skiing and good coverage. Only a couple icy spots from the overnight refreeze. So pack the wife and kids pack a lunch and spend a day at the trails.

(Rob Bullis)

Excellent conditions. 36 degrees and sunny. Phenomenal grooming. 100% coverage, little ice, no slush. Little corn snow either. I used FastWax Yellow LF. Work kept me from getting out early enough to catch the fast snow. But the further I got in, the deeper the shade, the faster the snow got. Things ran reasonably fast from X2 on. The climbs were killers but I felt pretty good doing everything except Wash Pond Flats on the east side with a return via Poplar Loop and South Crossing in an hour and 15 minutes.

(Keith Carlson)

Pack up the babies and grab(bring) the old ladies. Dizzie Dean just reported in that he and Theodore(think leave it to Beaver) have just finished their evening grooming run with the tandem screens to polish up the skate deck. We are expecting fine conditions for our Saturday morning ski. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Great March ski today at the Woodlands! Trails are well covered and well groomed. This weekend should be fun skiing so get on out and enjoy!

(Susie Newman)

Wonderful ski this morning at Woodlands. This is why people come from Golden Valley and beyond come to ski these awesome trails. Thanks for the great grooming job. Get out there before the sun does its melt job.

(John Lyrenmann)

Silk purse. That is what the screens turned that sow's ear of ski I had yesterday into. Similar to Gary, today's lap was the best of at least the last three years for me. Ancient One and Babe were out on the trails tonight to clear a small tree crossing the trail just above the biathlon range. Several Night Riders were out with their magnum headlamps this evening, making full use of the good snow while we have it. Snow conditions and the weather look right for great skiing through the weekend. The Trail Crew will be out with the screens again Friday night. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Skating conditions great, no tracks set for diagonal. Doesn't get much better than this. Get it before the next big melt!

Photos:

(Dean Kleinhans)

Fantastic sunny spring skiing on perfect snow. Best snow conditions I've been on for a couple years! Thanks Dave and company!

(Gary Lindberg)

The trail system was beautifully groomed by the great Woodlands grooming crew this morning leaving a firm base with soft top layer for excellent edging and glide. If I could order up a trail condition this would be it. It was a "ski yourself down to a nub day" and very difficult to stop skiing. I think our ski days are numbered so get out there and enjoy!

(Artie Huber)