Skated the far outer loop a couple times. Well groomed, a couple soft spots but firmer than expected considering the amount of new snow. No classic tracks set when I skied at dusk. The new trails are nice.

(Neil Belscamper)

Third time I've skied Ravine this year and conditions are the best I've seen for the season. Trails are well groomed, for the most part hard packed and still complete coverage. Classic tracks are also set, even on the interior trails, which weren't last Wednesday. The red loop on the north end of the park is a little soft, broke through a couple times on the first hill you climb. Good weekend to get out!

(Scott Degner)

All trails at Cottage Grove Ravine Regional Park were packed and tracked today. There is good coverage.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

Trails were very good. Inch of fluff on top of groomed surface with what appeared to be a consistent classic track. Trail was soft on the edges where I broke through occasionally. It was 17 degrees at start. My first time here since they rehabbed the park. They have rerouted existing trails, added more and it appears all can be skated now. I skied the entire perimeter and got in 3.3 miles. I used FastWax Salmon LF which was too warm but it performed better than my FastWax Blue LF-waxed skis performed yesterday once you take into account the 140 foot climb from the parking lot to the crest near the north end.

(Keith Carlson)

Trails were packed and tracked today. There is good coverage. Skate deck is a little soft but has a firm base.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

If you like to ski a la backcountry style today is the day to get out! Tried skate skiing and it was slow going, 2-4" of fresh snow over the skate deck. Should be great skiing once they groom again. First time skiing the trails since they did the renovations, kudos to park on the modifications. The outer perimeter is a little longer than I remember, makes for a nice loop that's around 5k.

(Scott Degner)

Cottage Grove trails are awesome! Track set and ski is great. Only two spots on red trail had bare spot.

Photos:

(Beth Gilleland)

Arrived to find fresh groomed corduroy, since we got about 7 inches in Cottage Grove, this packed down to a soft layer over for the most part a firm but not icy base. Prior to the recent snow, there was a section that was bare ground on the return loop, on the south end of the pond. With additional snow trail should only get better.

(Bruce Fiedler)

Cottage Grove Ravine ski trails have been rolled and are being tracked. Conditions are said to be in good condition out on the trails.

Photos:

(Carolyn Friedrich, Washington County Parks)

Conditions were fair to good for the classic skier, with areas of leaf/pine litter and a few shallow areas of track that were avoidable. Tracks are set from the picnic shelter to the red loop, not set on the way back to the shelter. Multi use trails were all packed as well.

Photos:

(Dan MacSwain)