Conditions: 1/2 new snow really made a difference!
Yesterday I groomed the skate lane on the 5K and then John Gould did the 10k. That really helped but what made the conditions really turn around was the 1/2 of new snow. Before the snow the classic tracks were getting very icy...today they were just a pleasure to ski on and only a few spots where the ice or dirt was showing through. Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about a design for a piece of grooming equipment that would scrape just a dusting of new snow from the skate lane into the classic tracks. Anyone out there know of such a device?

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

Conditions: Half inch of powder on top of hard packed snow.
Thanks for the great work in optimizing the skiing on minimal snow! Both the 5km and 10km are in as good of shape as possible considering the recent weather. Coverage is good and I used good skate skis. Watch out for a few icy spots where the powder is pushed away on uphills. The downhills are smooth and the skate lane is nice and level.

(Bruce Bauer)

Conditions: Decent coverage with fast icy classic tracks.
Our first time at snowflake. Love the chalet, George was very friendly. Much better conditions and grooming than at Spirit, which we also tried today.

(Jared Frandson)

Conditions: Fast, icy, deep classic track.
Classic-skied Jane's 5k at noon; saw several skate-skiiers out too. Nice deep classic track through most of the course, but icy conditions - those hills were fast. Some debris showing through in track especially towards the end - my skis picked up a couple more gouges. Still, lovely to be out skiing again in sunshine!

(Kirsten Welge)

Christmas day -- Snowflake survived the latest meltdown. I think there is more snow there now than a week ago. 10 K has skied-in classic track, 5 K has "bomb-proof", "luge track" machine set classic track. I was skating and it was fast, right about 32 F. You could get a decent edge most of the time. Hopped in the classic tracks on the 5 k, doubled poled and flew! The tree limb reported down yesterday has been moved. One of the pics is 5 k, one of 10 k.

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

Conditions: Nice -- good coverage and just enough freezing/crusting to make it fast.
Skated all trails this morning and was pleasantly surprised on both the coverage and how fast it was. There are some crusty rutted parts and small icy areas (as well as a large tree limb down on the trail right before Geno's Jump on the 10K) but had a very nice ski. The amount of snow up there and over the hill, compared to closer to the big pond, is amazing. Classic track on the 5K looked as good as I've seen it this year as far as depth. There is a skied in classic track on the 10K so far. They groomed last evening. Thanks Snowflake crew! We can always count on your for giving us good conditions when everywhere else is marginal. Happy Holidays!

(Tom Heinitz)

Conditions: Better than expected, partially but not fully transitioned snow with temps at 33F.
I skated both the 5K (+special K) and the 10 K and was surprised how good it was late this afternoon. Good coverage throughout with some thin areas but scattered (still use your B skis). The few icy spots were avoidable and partially covered with the 1/2" of new snow today (mostly on the 5K). Snow on the 10K was better since it has been skied on less.

(Tom Heinitz)

Skied both the 5 K and 10 K on Wednesday just after noon. Skating was good. A few icy spots and a few thin spots, but remarkably good. I used rock skis but could have been on "B" skis for sure. There was a classic track on the 5 K, not on the 10 K. Yes, that is my shadow on the picture, we did see the sun for a few hours today!

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

While other areas were rained out we lost very little and made it all back with over 4 inches of new snow monday evening along another couple inches Tuesday evening. All trails groomed and skiing is ideal.

(George Hovland)

Conditions: Great trail conditions.
I skied Snowflake after work Thursday evening. The trails were in amazing shape and should hold up with the warmer weather. If you ski after dark do bring a headlamp for the dark areas, but it is well worth it.

(Mark Knutson)