Talked with Phil this morning, Iola got 10-12". He groomed till midnight, did green and blue skate lanes. Was planning on hitting black and setting track today. With forecast temps should be great skiing through weekend. As of now plan is to do a fun ski, pot luck after glow Saturday.

(Tracy Piontkowski)

Very icy, some bare parts on the black trail. However, the trails are still skiable and should remain so for a couple days with cold weather.

(Andrew Geffert)

First time at Iola, Skied all black and blue trails, excellent conditions for classic on 80%, very good on remainder. Couple of tiny thin spots in the sun exposed areas in the meadows near pine camp, if no new snow they will become more noticeable, but easy to avoid. occasional debris on the outlying black loops, easy to avoid. Conditions changed during the day as it warmed up from 14 to 24-27 or so, so had to re-wax to maintain good kick. Overall very enjoyable. lots of animal tracks. Loved the lodge.

(Michael Heifets)

Iola was in top form Sunday. Skate deck was level and being freshened up while we were skiing. The classic tracks were set a while back and holding up well plus they are nicely skied in due to traffic. Sunday afternoon dog's are allowed on green trail for skijoring, there were a few mushers enjoying the trail. Mike McGibbon and crew were holding down the fort while Phil enjoyed a well deserved weekend away. There was a variety of fresh soups, fire, and fellowship in the lodge afterwards, maybe a beer or two. The ski community really shines on days like these. Met two skiers from Chicago area Steve and Kevin, good luck with your first Birkie.

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(Tracy Piontkowski)

Iola received 6 inches of powder Saturday on our substantial yet thin base, all trails open and groomed for both skate and classic skiing. Skate deck has good coverage and classic tracks are good yet thin on lower black loop. Crew was out shoveling snow on these areas yesterday. Classic skied entire trail system with A-skis did have to avoid some spots, track were well defined but still somewhat soft.

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(Mike Mcgibbon)

Green trail was PB groomed. It was lightly snowing when we started skiing at 6pm, skate skiing was rocket fast with plenty of control. Encountered one icy push off on first little climb otherwise great conditions. There were tracks set on green loop as well, they looked good, saw a few people classic skiing. Phil and crew were busy making snow in preparation for winter carnival and ski jumping this weekend, they also have fat bike race Friday and skijoring. Phil said he plans to start working on getting the blue trail up and running but didn't have a specific time frame. He needs to haul some snow to patch a few areas and lots of ice to deal with. Like most places they could use more snow. Still a great ski and worth the hour drive.

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(Tracy Piontkowski)

The snow magicians of Iola delivered today with great skiing for the Norseman. I skied the citizen classic and skate races and enjoyed each race as did our MS/HS kids. Start OSLO was good for kick. Trail is definitely on the thin side but these hardy Iolians I heard were up until the wee hours making sure the trail was safe and well covered nonetheless. Classic tracks were definitely icy but good sidewalks and with bubblegum klister just fine. Skate was really fun and fast. Suggesting B skis because I put a ding in my A skis. Thanks for hosting a great day/race.

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(Bob Hubanks)

Skated most of the trails. By 4pm it was scratchy in a lot of spots. I think they've got a challenge for Sunday's races. Yet, their track record of squeezing what can be done out of the trail is very good, so maybe cold and some judicious shoveling will be the ticket. Until there is more snow recreational skiers might go further north...

(Dave Minden)

Skied under the lights for our weekly group outing. I received communication from a Iola local that the trails were in good shape and skiing well. They received some rain, then slop, then about an inch of snow. There isn't much for tracks, what tracks there are are shallow and washed out in spots. Skate deck is ungroomed, we had a beer with Phil after and he was saying he decided to let the skiers do the grooming by skiing it in. There is an inch of snow over a solid base, great glide. I skied the green and blue lit loop. I took a tour of the field in the dark, once my eyes adjusted the ambient light you could see the edges of the trail and had to ski by feel. This is a great balancing opportunity if you've never tried it. Iola continues to be a solid option with a consistent product, great skiing. It beckons to be used.

(Tracy Piontkowski)

Surprised how good the trails are in considering the lack of snow and warm weather we are having. I used my B skis but could have used good skis. Just a few bare spots in the field.

(Diane Gustin)