The skating Lanes were reset Friday night on the Hilltop Loop, Orchard and Warm Up Loops (11K's). I was able to set a new classic track on the Warm Up Loop and then had equipment issues so could not reset the rest of the system. The old classic track is still in most places so skiing should still be OK. The Orchard Loop has some big drifts so hopefully the skate deck I was able to sneak in is still in place this morning. We will need to get some bigger equipment out there to get that back into good shape. The North Loop was not touched last night but looked to be in good shape for classic and skate skiing. Classic tracks should get reset on the system once the equipment is repaired.

(Kyia Anderson)

Northloop, Hill Top, Orchard, and Warm-up all groomed classic and skate. A little soft, but should firm a bit overnight. Balto's (dog loop is not rolled or groomed). Also, there have been several sightings of a single wolf-looking critter over the last few weeks at Orchard, Hill Top, and Warm-up.

(Dan Fark, Nordic Ski Club of Central Minnesota)

Another 4 inches of white fluffy snow. Stunningly beautiful. North Loop is rolled. Riverside is all groomed. Orchard, Warm-up and Hilltop are schedule to be rolled this afternoon.

(Bruce Busta)

Skied all trails Monday night. Due to the new snow, there was powder on top of the base. Classic tracks are groomed on the North Trails, Orchard Loop, and Hilltop Loop. For skate the North Trails have a better pack due to people skiing them. The Orchard and Hilltop Loops are both soft, but skiing is pretty good on both. After the snow stops falling and the groomers can catch up, the trails will be great.

(Dalton Struck)

Report from the groomers: Graystone has classic track and skate deck all set. Orchard, Hilltop and warmup in beautiful shape. The Northloop is also in perfect shape.

(Bruce Busta)

With 7-10 new inches of snow throughout the trail system skiing will be the best it has in years! The North Loop has been rolled and a skate deck and classic track set. The Orchard, Warm Up Loop and The Hill Top Loop has been rolled. The Grooming plan is to set tracks on Saturday on the remaining sections of the trail system. Balto's has several large drifts and we need to get some bigger equipment out there this week. The skiing should be beautiful this weekend. The woods is lovely with all the snow covered trees. Hope to see you out skiing!

Photos:

(Kyia Anderson)

This week southeast St. Cloud received about 14 inches of snow! Yahoo! Just heard from the groomers... Orchard, Warmup and Hill Top have been rolled. North Loop is rolled and a classic track is being set. I would expect that Orchard will also be set with a classic track later today. Should be awesome skiing this weekend. Get your MN Ski Pass and get out there!

(Bruce Busta)

Snow at last! Just heard from the groomers that the North Loop is rolled. No track set yet, but we may finally have enough snow for a track. Greystone - Hilltop and Orchard and Warm up will also be rolled. There are big drifts on Baltos, so we need to get our bigger equipment out and that may take a day or two.

(Bruce Busta)

Skied the North Loop. The snow was soft and slow. Groomed very well with little in the way of oak leaves and exposed spots. Some sticks throughout the trail.

(Dalton Struck)

The Orchard trail is is covered with snow, but the NW segment is blown over with drifts as usual. This trail was packed Monday before the polar temps, but it needs to be packed again. There are no classical tracks set. The Hilltop loop is 98% covered with snow and safe from the icy base. However, people are walking on the trail, damaging the base. There are no classical tracks set.

(Charlie Maternus)