10 K and 5 K are about the same now. There is a classic track, well-used and icy in spots. The skate lane is well-used and boiler plate in spots, I found myself hugging the left edge of the trail to get some edge. But then, my feet are not as fast as they once were, and with 2 artificial hips I am a bit more careful than I used to be. Plenty of years on December 2 I have longed for conditions as good as this, but we could sure use some snow, even an inch or two. Picture is at Geno's jump on the 10 K.

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

Conditions: Thin but getting thicker with each snow fall!
With temps just below freezing, the two inches of new snow (groomed last night) packed down nicely and was very fast. The cover is best on the 5k. I classic skied with good skis and just avoided the bare spots and occasional rock. It is very good skiing for the depth of the snow.

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

Conditions: Better than expected - but freestyle only and on older skis.
The 5k was very skiable - minus the Special K loop, which hadn't been groomed and cold temps have frozen the ruts that had been there. We skied the 10k, too, which I would avoid next time - sparse snow and a lot of rocks. Hopefully the 5k will get a little lovin by the groomers soon as the ski traffic is high.

(Kris Osthus)

Conditions: Thin snow cover on the 10k better snow cover on the 5k.
I took the Ginzu groomer around one time on the 10k on Tuesday to pack down the 2-3 inches of new snow. The snow cover was thin on the sections of trail at lower elevations...near the new school and better up higher and closer to the 5k trail. You should use your B grade or rock skis right now. I am not sure if grooming with the teeth down is possible right now on the 5k. It might bring up more leaves and stuff...I am going to ski it in a bit and decide if grooming is possible or if we wait on the snow that is in the forecast for Friday. I will let you know.

(Dave Johnson)

I skied it not long after they groomed. Very skiable for skate when I started at noon Tuesday, I was the first one out after grooming. By the time I left there were skied-in classic tracks on all of 5 K including Special K. Dave groomed 5 K except for Special K. Amazingly good skate skiing. I honestly did not feel any of the ruts from the frozen crud below where he had groomed. Surprisingly fast (on Fast Wax blue paste) for new snow. I skied Special K too, where it had not been groomed, and still fun, but I could "feel" the ruts, etc in the frozen base. I did not venture out on 10 K, the new snow might be hiding some things at bottoms of steeper hills than the 5 K has. Thanks for grooming Dave, it was great!

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

Conditions: 3-4 inches of powder over an icy base.
Over the past few days we experienced a warm-up that included rain, sleet and melting of some of our base. Yesterday a clipper came through and dropped 3-4 inches of snow that this morning I was able to pack down using the Ginzu. Snow cover is thin, rocks are visible here and there. Might be the best skiing in town.

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

We received about 1 inch of snow last night we have beautiful skiing throughout!

(George Hovland)

Conditions: Nice skate skiing.
Good skate skiing on the 10 k loop in the morning, on both yesterday and today, with 1" layer of new snow each day on hard base layer of snow. Great conditions for mid November!

(Bob Beresford)

Conditions: Good but uneven (very good considering the date).
Full coverage on 5 and 10 K, save a few sticks and a couple of roots (in only 2-3 spots), but if careful you could even use your good skis - if very careful. As expected, it is early season uneven but very skiable with good quality snow. The 10 K was softer and less used. George and the crew have done a nice job to treat use to a mid November ski. I skated but it looks like a shallow skied in classic track but nothing set yet. You can always count on Snowflake to have the most snow too -- at least 8-9" out there.

(Tom Heinitz)

9 inches new snow, snow and grooming not perfect, but delightful.

(George Hovland)