Elver continues to deliver super nice skate skiing with complete converge on the main trails. I timed it right about noon today and was able to cut sweeping telemark turns in soft snow on the big downhill. Not that surprised the trails have held up given the two major snowfalls in Madison in January. It's not often we get better skiing than northern Wisconsin but this is one of those years at least so far.

Photos:

(Mike Ivey)

Not to brag it to excess.. but dang the skiing remains fine here at the jewel of the banana belt. Madnorski groomers were out again at Elver Monday laying fresh corduroy for the afternoon kids program and those who realize there is lot of ski season left. Skate skiing again was decent on the lighted trails with the usual cautionary note about the big downhill to the parking lot. Just a few bare spots now opening but 99 percent coverage on the main trails. Don't be fooled by the grass at the trailhead. Some classic track even remains for the klister-fishscale crowd. Worth an hours drive for junkies in need of a natural snow fix.

Photos:

(Mike Ivey)

Arrived at 11:40 this morning, very fast ungroomed trails as temperature was 27F. I stayed on the lower loop. The classical tracks were actually better than last Monday. By 1:10 pm when I left potions were softening. Came back at 3 pm to fresh corduroy on the skate deck, which took out a significant amount of the track. Still very fast whether striding or skating on my Fischer waxes. Very little softening as it never got above freezing today so it should hold. Skating is the best bet but classical was good.

(Robert Abendroth)

Someone said on Saturday it was Rocket Fast. They were right! It fast Sunday morning too - just awesome! Groomers were there keeping things fresh. Beautiful frost in the treetops.

Photos:

(Justin Salisbury)

Spring ski conditions continue at Elver. Rocket fast early and slow corn by 11 am. Lighted trails were freshly groomed by both Madnorski and City Parks but east side was not touched. Still 100 percent coverage in skate lane and an intact classic track but some bare spots starting to show in the tracks. Not sure if any grooming will happen Sunday morning so expect rough skate conditions early — although klister junkies could have fun in the glazed tracks. Amazing Elver has held up so well. Lots of traffic has created bullet proof base of natural snow.

Photos:

(Mike Ivey)

Amazing grooming! Fast when below freezing. Blue downhill is a wild ride. It mellowed as it warmed, but still throw a stem for the final left turn early so you have time to ride the skid. Tracks are just a thin layer of ice above the dirt. Purple klister gave no grip, maybe it's for icy but not for literally just ice. So I double poled and skated the uphills. Still had a good time.

(Paul Blichmann)

City Parks groomed up the lighted area trails today and the skating was good. Icy in spots and plenty of debris but 100 percent coverage. Big downhill to parking lot is a white knuckler so use caution. Grooming plans: Madnorski volunteers plan to groom again Saturday morning. Hope the base can hold up until the next snowfall whenever that is. It's only February 2 for crying out loud and too soon to pump the bike tires.

(Mike Ivey)

Significantly poorer than Monday at the same time, skied only on the West loop. Classical tracks are very shallow and in many spots gone. It was a bit of a slog to get three miles, trail is very soft and dirty although there appeared to be ample snow on the skate deck in most sections.

(Robert Abendroth)

Much better than expected, skied West side loop and soccer field. I did go as far as the sledding hill but it was rough and choppy. Skate deck was groomed and MadNorski was conducting classes. I got a very good glide on my Fischer waxless but downhills were very slow, no danger of losing control. Went down the first hill and the soccer field hill, some loose piles at the base of the first hill. Very soft and tracks vanished at times but a very pleasant ski when I expected to be back in my car in 5 minutes. Won't last much longer.

(Robert Abendroth)

Skien in the Rain! Interesting ski this morning. Ungroomed with areas of patchy ice and debris. Pole plants from firm to pole grab to pole sinkholes as surprising how soft some of the trail was. Downhills were fast but controllable-still out on the flats around ball diamond you could rally cruise -almost faster double polling than you could skate. Hopefully change to snow soon.

(Dan Dudley)