The 5k and 10k trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The skate deck on both trails is firm, smooth and fast; actually improving each day. We will be grooming them each morning to grate the overnight ice. I skied both trails classic today and found the 10k track to be well-formed, fast, and very clean. The 5k, still well-formed and fast, has collected a lot of small debris, much of it skied over and now frozen into the track. I suppose the debris blows across the skate deck, then gets trapped in the classic tracks. I was skiing my r-skins, which were great in the 36 degree temps, and the debris never grabbed my skis, however fastidious skiers may want to use b-skis on the 5k classic trail. We will be open for normal operating hours on Monday and Tuesday. We will go to spring hours on Wednesday March 14th: open 7 am - 11 am / closed 11 am - 5 pm / Open again 5 pm - 8 pm. We will groom the skate decks each morning, and request that members with dogs come while the trail is firm, which is early. We will be making our calls this week with an eye to preserving the trails for late March quality skiing.

(John Graham)

Near perfection. I skated all trails this AM with a fast, smooth skate deck freshly groomed. It was even better than yesterday. You would think it was mid winter out there. It's been said many times here but deserves to be said again--John and the Snowflake crew are doing an absolutely amazing job maintaining the trails this year. I have skied Snowflake for many years and this year is the best it has been - consistently great. Their attention to daily well timed grooming definitely shows. Given the base we have there, even with warm temps, we should still have more great skiing with John and the crew's hard work on the trails. Thank you thank you thank you!

(Tom Heinitz)

Today all Skate decks were groomed in the morning, and they seem to be nicer each day. Skate skiers reported fast, smooth conditions in the morning, a bit slower as the temps rose. The new 10K classic track did set up nicely overnight and offered a deep, well-formed track this morning. It skied firm and fast all day, and will improve as it gets skied-in. The 5K classic track continues to ski well. We'll groom the skate decks again on Sunday morning, and see how the trails react to the high afternoon temps.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Duluth is home to an amazing number of nordic trails, but in the shoulder seasons of our winter, Snowflake really shines. The trail is maintained with such care in response to the snow conditions and temps. This week John & co. spent hours picking up sticks/ removing debris after the winds, and then yesterday repairing damage to the trail from a rogue snowmobile. The 5k was fantastic Friday afternoon, making for a fun and fast ski, with the sun shining - just the mental/ physical escape I needed. Thanks, Snowflake!

(Andrea Watson)

Just got in from setting a new classic track on the 10k trail. It is a very nice track and should set-up well as the temps go into the low teens tonight. Our trails are immaculate. The 5k classic track is well-formed and well skied-in, predictable washouts on the tight turns, but I skied it today and it is very nice. The skate decks are firm, icy tonight , but we will be scraping and grooming them in the morning. Wonderful spring ski conditions and a noticably longer ski day! Snowflake is open from 8 a.M. To p.M. On saturday and from 8 -8 on sunday. If we move to spring hours beginning monday, I will post on skinnyski by sunday evening.

(John Graham)

The Marshall sixth grade class spent the day skiing and gathering data about snow depth at Snowflake Nordic Ski Center on Thursday. The grooming crew had worked magic on the trails after the warm-up and big blow down of debris from the storm that just missed us. All of the kids had a blast and loved the day at Snowflake! Thanks to John and his grooming crew for a great day of skiing and science!

(Dave Johnson)

A fine day of skiing, today. All skate decks were groomed this morning, the knives set to break the overnight ice and put a thin corduroy on the surface. Skaters reported it smooth and fast. The 5K classic track has been well skied-in and was fast. Some washouts on the tighter turn. The 10K track has seen less use and would benefit from more skiers. Due to the good condition of the tracks, we have postponed resetting them until Friday night. All skate decks will be regroomed on Friday morning. 31 sixth graders from Marshall School spent the day skiing, sledding, and working on some winter skills today; a great way to enjoy late winter.

Photos:

(John Graham)

This morning we finished clearing debris, cleaning. and grooming the 10K Trail, so everything is Open and groomed for classic and skate skiing. The Skate decks will be groomed in the morning to loosen the ice, and we plan to reset the classic track (at least on the 10K) on Thursday night. We are blessed with a deep base right now - about 8" - but looking at the forecasts for next week, we expect to enforce Spring Hours beginning Monday Mar 12th. That means that we will be open for skiing from 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. and again from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. In Spring hours we will Close The Trails between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (the heat of the day). Members who bring their dogs are encouraged to do so in the morning, when the trails will be firmest, and if trail conditions dictate, we will not allow dogs on the trails. Check the daily phone update. We will be open normal hours this weekend, but it may be the last for non-members.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Disappointing snowstorm: lots of wind but just a dusting of snow up here. The winds brought down a lot of debris and a couple of trees on our trails. Today we hand-cleared the debris, then groomed the 5K/Special K trails and the Perimeter Loop segments of the 10K trail. The Skate decks groomed-up very nice. The Classic Track on all trails remains well-defined, but shallow as it collected the blowing snow. It is skiable and just needs to be skied-in. So, at this time all of our trails are open, but only the 5K and Perimeter Loop are clear of debris and freshly groomed. We will clear the inner segments of the 10K trail tomorrow. The very good news is that we have a deep base, and forecast temps through this week are Blue Extra temps!

Photos:

(John Graham)

The 5k classic track was reset last night, firmed-up nicely overnight, and provided beautiful skiing today. The 10k classic track has hardened and is intact except for some downhill turns. Skate decks on both trails were re-groomed early this morning and were reported fast and firm in the morning, a bit softer and slower as the temps approached 40. We have a 6-10" base right now, and are confident that we'll come through whatever the weather does tomorrow and Monday. The groomers have been working day and night since the Feb 22nd snowfall, so we are taking tonight and tomorrow off. We will get the trails groomed, or restored, as the Sunday-Tuesday event unfolds. We will open at 8 a.m. Sunday.

Photos:

(John Graham)