I was able to pack down all the trails with the snowmobile and cleared some debris from the wind. I started grooming and got one pass done on A loop, and then continued on to B. The temperature went up in a hurry though and I found the snow was packing into the groomer and not being processed by it, so I will be back out tomorrow morning to try to finish before things get too warm.

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

Wintergreen was groomed and tracked. We received 1" of fresh snow on Monday, with a little sleet mixed in on top. It groomed out really well for skate skiers. The track for classic skiing is a little shallow in spots, but overall it's in good condition as well. With the Birkie this weekend now's the time to get those last minute workouts in! Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

Perfect timing as the groomer had just made his initial passes. Very good conditions.No debris Smooth. Someone had walked on the trail, but no damage.

(Brian Ciske)

We received 3" of fresh snow over the weekend. All trails were groomed and tracked and are in great condition. The base on the trails is about 9" and 15" in the woods. I talked to some skiers while grooming and they told me that C loop was looking great. Enjoy the trails now while you can as spring is right around the corner, I've been noticing an increase in wildlife tracks in the woods the last week or so.

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

We received 1" of new snow overnight and all trails were groomed and tracked. Due to the hard pack from the weekends thaw and then freeze the classic track did not come out the best. The skate deck is in great shape however. Trail users are asked to please be mindful of walking on the trail when it is warm out and the trail is soft. Leaving deep foot prints and post holes can make skiing difficult for other users.

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

The Chequamegon-Nicolet Textile Mill was running at full capacity today and produced several kilometers of fine corduroy for your skiing enjoyment. Earlier in the week we received 10" of new snow at Wintergreen. There is a little dirt showing on the third hill on Loop D where the snowmobile got stuck, but there is plenty of snow underneath. The base on the trails is 6-8" and in the woods 12-14". Loops A, B, C and Shortcut are all groomed for skate skiing. D can be done with skate skis, just a little narrow in a few spots, but doable if careful.

Photos:

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

I started grooming today but the snow hasn't set up enough yet and the sled kept getting stuck. Rolled it before lunch, then tried grooming. I was able to track A and Kiddie, will be back out Thursday morning to finish the rest. 10" of new snow, trails are looking good except for a few spots on D loop where the snowmobile got stuck, but that's just on the steep uphills where skiers will be herringboning it up. Hopefully it grooms out tomorrow!

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

All trails were groomed and tracked. Base on the trails is 4-5" and in the woods it is 8". The snow was a little thin still by the beaver ponds on C loop. I adjusted the track setter on the groomer to give classic skiers a little more room for pole planting on the outside edge. The weather this weekend is predicted to be in the mid 30's, and the Packers aren't playing (unfortunately) so there shouldn't be any excuses to not get out and enjoy the trails on your National Forest!

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

We received 3" of new snow at Wintergreen from yesterday's storm. With the new snow all trails were groomed and tracked. Loops A, B, C and Shortcut are all groomed wide enough for skate skiing. There is a little ice poking through on C Loop by the beaver ponds where the trail gets a little narrow, and one thin spot on B Loop shortly after the second intersection with A. Otherwise things are looking fantastic. Base on the trails are 2-4" and base in the woods is 7-8." Monday, January 15 is a Fee Free Day at USFS Day Use facilities, such as ski trails, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Photos:

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)

Groomed and tracked B, D and Shortcut. B has some thin spots, on the section between the intersections with Shortcut there is a fair amount of leaves mixed into the snow, mainly in the skate ski lane. The turkeys were trying to get the last acorns of autumn and must have found quite a few on the trail. There is one rock that is poking out on D loop, on one of the shorter downhills towards the end. The rock is just barely poking through, and it's near the top of the hill in the middle of the trail. I'm holding off on grooming A, C and Kiddie until we have more snow as the groomer doesn't like the wetland crossings when the snow is thin. Base on the trails is 1-3", with 6" in the woods.

Photos:

(Brady Howe, US Forest Service)