B Grade - Good conditions. Trails bumpy. Classic and skate both recently set.

(Richard Narum)

5 K and 10K skate decks were groomed this morning. We patched several thin or rutted spots on the 10K. Early skiers reported that both trails were "great", but I'm still recommending B skis on the 10K due to one exposed rock (marked with caution tape), and exposed ground on Shovel Hill and the "3rd step" of the climb to Hovland Hill. All other trail conditions are as stated yesterday. The 5K is closed To dogs, and members may ski with their dogs on the 10K. Spring Hours are suspended today and tomorrow, due to favorable conditions. Open 8 a. m. - 9 p. m. both days. Enjoy it while we have it!

Photos:

(John Graham)

All skate decks were groomed this morning. Skate skiers reported excellent skiing during both the morning and evening sessions. The 5K is 100% covered. We shoveled and packed snow on the Bee Hollow entry with decent results. 10K again surprised us by grooming-up so nicely. We patched where we could; Shovel Hill is very thin and partially exposed. Classic Tracks: the 5K is still beautiful, if glazed in the morning; the 10K is skiable, if not beautiful. The 2nd half of the 10K (after the top of Shovel Hill) is holding-up best, and skiers might consider skiing out the 5K, then cutting on to the 10K at the Mole Hill or Perimeter Loop cut-through, then skiing the last 5 kilometers in. We will re-groom skate decks in the morning. With a cold forecast, low highs, and cloudy forecast we will suspend Spring Hours on Friday and Saturday: open 8 a.m.-9 p.m. both days. Sunday TBD. Think Snow!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Skated the 5K and it was excellent. I wasn't the only one using A skis without hesitation. Classic tracks looked good and were being used.

(Russ Ludeke)

The trails got a lot of use today - a lot of happy skiers - so we will be re-grooming the 5K and 10K skate decks in the morning. The classic tracks can't be improved right now, so the best striding is on the 5K, though the 10k is skiable despite the construction of tree forts on the track yesterday (removed this morning, see photo. The other photos are also on the 10K). We are back to Spring hours tomorrow, and with a forecast high of 40, members may take their dog on the 10K in the morning, but not in the afternoon: we can not repair the damage when they punch through the surface and those small holes become craters. The 5K is closed to dogs. The Oval is groomed and open to dogs anytime we're open. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Photos:

(John Graham)

The 5K and 10K skate decks were groomed this morning. We set the knives deep and made multiple runs. The 5K skate is excellent. 99% curduroy over hard base. The 1% thin is the lip into Bee Hollow, and inside the big left turn after the range. The 5K classic track remains solid, deep, and beautiful. The 10K skate came-out better than expected: 90% loose snow over a hard base; 10% thin cover or ice. Recommend B skis on the 10. The 10K Classic track is worn and shallow but still skiable. We are open 8-8 today thanks to favorable conditions.

(John Graham)

Temperatures were below freezing today and the 5k was in pretty darn good shape! The classic tracks were prominent throughout the 5k, slightly glazed making for one heck of a fun double pole derby experience! The skate deck was still showing cord and in good shape too. The entire system is covered with snow and the only icy spots were the typical Bee Hollow area. Well worth the trip to ski! Make sure you abide by the hours and dog rules to preserve the system! Kudos to the grooming crew!

(Eve Graves)

All trails are open. The 5K classic track is excellent. The 10K classic track is worn and shallow, but still skiable. Skate decks were not groomed this morning and are a bit choppy. The 5K is 100% covered, while the 10K is 90% covered, with thin cover on the southern exposures. Thanks to the colder temperatures, we are suspending Spring hours today and tomorrow, and will be open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. on both days. Spring begins at 1145 this morning - enjoy some spring skiing! We will groom the skate decks tomorrow morning.

(John Graham)

5K and 10K Skate decks were groomed this morning. The 5K is excellent. The only exposed ground is at the entry to Bee Hollow and we shoveled snow to patch that. The 5K classic track is still beautiful. The 10K trail is suffering more from the sun and warmth. Hovland Hill is closed; Shovel Hill is partially exposed and icy - we patched with snow; Geno's Jump is getting thin and icy; River Runs Through It experienced a dramatic melt in the past 24 hours, and is now green ice to the outside edge of the classic track. Shaded segments around Fisketti Jct remain in very good shape. So, I recommend B skis on the 10K, and keep a sharp eye ahead, especially on southern exposures. The 10K classic track is getting rough, but is skiable. We won't enforce Spring Hours today: if you get time to ski, come ski. Dogs allowed on the 10K trail only.

Photos:

(John Graham)

We regroomed the 5K and 10K trails early this morning. The trails came through Saturdays high temps in good shape, the only casualty being the Hovland Hill loop on the 10K, which became fully exposed and not repairable. We have closed that loop with caution tape. Also on the 10K, Shovel Hill has become partially exposed, and icy, but it can be passed. We expect to lose the "3 Step Climb" up to Hovland Hill soon, and groomed a cut-through that bypass that section, when the time comes. The majority of the 10K groomed-up nicely and was reported fast. The 10K classic track is looking sun-beat, but still defined and skiable. The 5K/Special K skate lane remains hard and beautiful to ski in, with no washouts as of this morning. The 5K Skate lane cleaned-up well, frozen tracks were smoothed, and it will be even better when we groom Monday morning. The only exposed ground on the 5K is at the lip into Bee Hollow. We shoveled snow into that and groomed it, but it is always the "first to go" and we'll keep repairing it til we can't. One problem noted today, the dog tracks in the skate decks are deteriorating in all directions, wider and deeper; in many cases we could see the ground in the dog tracks. The obvious remedy is that members should not take their dog on the trail if the snow is soft enough to leave tracks. Since the 5K is holding-up beat, and will be the longest lasting trail of the season, the 5K is closed to all dogs for the remainder of the season. Members may take their dogs on the 10K trail, during our morning hours (7-11). If the daily temps and trail conditions are suitable for taking dogs on the evening hours, we will update our phone message, and post it next to the sign-in sheet. We expect quality skiing for the next 3 days, and I plan to post trail photos after we groom tomorrow morning.

(John Graham)