We had a wonderful wind down from Birkie week at Drummond where we soaked in the immense beauty and solitude of a blue bird, dead calm day. Grooming was great. We've never seen as many vehicles in the lot where one skier said "It doesn't get any better than this!" Thanks groomers for all who enjoyed the day.

(Doug Scheider)

All of the Drummond Ski Trails have new tracks. After the twelve inches of new, soft snow and the drifts the blowing wind created, it took Dale seven hours to compact and set track. The base was ice hard until the new snow allowed for new tracks to be created. With the temperatures forecast to be below freezing, skiing should be excellent again.

(Jim Crandall)

There's no good news to report about the Drummond Ski Trail. The melt-down weather has left the tracks in place, but they are all ice. Don't be fooled by the 1/2 inch of new snow because it's treacherous going beneath. We will not be grooming until we get at least a good six inch snowfall to cover the icy base. Snowshoeing in the woods is still good, though.

(Jim Crandall)

All loops at the Drummond Ski Trail have new tracks. Tracks look good, but there may be debris from all the pine needles and twigs in the tracks in places. We even cut out one of the "leaners" where you have to duck to get under. There are a few more which we'll get at another time when we wade into the deep snow on the side of the trail. Thanks to Tom Hintze for piloting the new Skandic, pulling the TiddTech.

(Jim Crandall)

Last grooming must've been several days ago but tracks still quite good. Dusting of snow and some minor tree debris. The boys did fine work clearing and trimming damage from winter's forest onslaught. "Old School" Drummond trails hard to beat!

(David Pramann)

The Boulevard all the way out and around the North Country Trail (NCT) loop has been compacted and tracks set. It's been a long time coming to have it all set with tracks. We have over 30 hours of clearing branches and trees so far this season.

(Jim Crandall)

All the inner loops in Drummond have tracks (except lower Racetrack). The base is fairly soft, but the tracks look good. The lower part of the Racetrack only got rolled. The far end of the Boulevard didn't receive any attention today, but was rolled earlier this week. Only one new downed tree needed cutting! This is the first grooming to set tracks in a couple of weeks. It has been a challenge to get all of the downed trees out and the brush that hits you in the face trimmed. There's still more to do. As the season progresses we'll be able to get everything in better shape, nature permitting.

(Jim Crandall)

All of the Drummond Ski Trail has now been rolled. It took another several hours to clean up the trees that still seem to be coming down from the weight of the recent snows. Thanks to Tom Hintze and John Knight the branches have been hauled off, and more trimming of face slappers has been accomplished. The snow is great, but the base is somewhat soft. People have been skiing anyway. Grooming plans: We'll set tracks the first of next week.

(Jim Crandall)

Beautiful winter wonderland with all the trees flocked! We ran in to the groomer who had rolled almost all the trails and cleared almost all the downed trees. Thanks to them for all their hard work!

Photos:

(Amy Fredregill)

Another 10 inches of heavy, wet snow have not done us any good at the Drummond Ski Trail. We will not be setting tracks until we get all of the newly downed trees cut and pulled off, the overhanging snow and ice-covered branches trimmed and the whole thing compacted. This has been a trying winter with more time spent cutting trees than either grooming. When we get all of it cleared and tracks set, we'll let you know. Despite the deep snow, there is a good base and lots of people have been skiing, setting their own tracks. Just like in the old days.

(Jim Crandall)