Snowflake is CLOSED TODAY and will be CLOSED TOMORROW due to the warm, wet conditions. If Monday night temps go below freezing, as forecast, we will evaluate and possibly groom the trails, and be OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY on Tuesday. Check the chalet voicemail, Snowflake facebook, and Skinnyski for changes to our status.

(John Graham)

Snowflake is CLOSED today due to the warm temps, wet conditions, and fragility of the snow base. Our base is still solid, and we are preserving it for the post-thaw. We will be CLOSED again Sunday for the same reasons, but are optimistic about being open to MEMBERS by Tuesday. Will update as conditions change.

(John Graham)

Our 5K and 10K trails remain snow-covered, and the base is holding-up. Both trails were icy this morning, but have softened as the day goes on. Because we are unwilling to take the grooming equipment onto the soft, wet snow in above-freezing temps, the downhill turn sections are rutted and somewhat "dicey" this morning. In expectation of a return to winter conditions, and in order to preserve our base, we have decided to postpone grooming until night-time temps return to sub-freezing. We remain open today, but will be closed on Saturday, Jan 21st, due to the forecast wet weather. We will post our open/closed status for Sunday as we see what Saturday brings.

(John Graham)

I did some classic skiing on the Jane 5K loop from mid to very late afternoon. The track is firm and about 80 to 90% of perfect. Lotsa fun skiing! The high temp there was about 32 degrees. The snow was holding up well. No evidence of melting, except maybe a little in the sun. Purple wax gave me good grip. I'll go back tomorrow in the morning and should have another good ski!

(John Bogen)

Amazing classic tracks - firm, deep, solid walls. Skied the 10K then onto the 5K and only left the tracks twice (the hard turns on "Tim's Turn" and onto "Special K". The skate lane had been groomed last night and was generally corduroy. Best day of skiing so far this season.

(John Graham)

The trails at Snowflake are in great condition. Skate lane is packed powder and very smooth. The track was set yesterday with a new track setter yielding even tracks at perfect depth. Kudos to John and Jim for the fine grooming this season.

Photos:

(Bruce Derauf)

Another great day of skiing at Snowflake. Jane's 5 K Loop was groomed this morning and the Classic tracks came out perfect and firm. Couldn't really ask for better snow/grooming. The snow wasn't fast but it wasn't slow either. I only wished I hadn't gotten so tired so I could have skied it a few more times. I'll be back tomorrow!

(John Bogen)

The 5 K loop was about perfect. For Classic skiing it was certainly the best skiing conditions that I have seen this season. I got a quick glimpse of a small creature running on top of the snow. I think it was a vole. It was jet black.

(John Bogen)

Many people braved the cold conditions today at Snowflake. New track in great condition, skate lane well groomed. Back tomorrow for 20k.

(Matthew Daly)

Fresh grooming on the 10k and groomed yesterday on the 5k. The middle section of the 5k was better with less traffic since last grooming (I think the HS skiers were doing cutoff loops using the Kidski cutoffs). I had fresh, albeit slow, cord on the 10k and John was just setting the classic track when I was leaving. Plenty of snow and great conditions at Snowflake. There is just enough small ice balls mixed in with the new snow to make a bit faster than you would expect for the cold temps. Great job Snowflake crew (again)!

(Tom Heinitz)