All loops cut and tracked. Several inches of fresh snow. Good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

First, I thought I could ski the red trail but it was too icy to navigate the hills. We turned around. It really is an expert trail. So, me and my friend skied the green trail instead, which also has some hills. The trail hadn't been groomed recently so it was a little icy. Not the best ski, but very pretty. With new snow, I'm sure this trail would be great.

(Diane Schwartz)

All loops have been leveled and tracked. Soft / full track set. Good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

All loops have been cut and tracked. Thin spots on the yellow loop. Good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

All loops have been tracked. Groomed later right after the snow with the tracks setting up overnight. Good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

All loops have been tracked. Only felt the groomer hitting ground once on the hemlock hill on the Red loop. Overall good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

All loop have been tracked. Thin areas under the conifers on the Red and Yellow loops. Fair to good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

I skied the red and green loops and portions of the blue. Temperature was 10 - 12 degrees above. One would expect the track to be a little slow but that certainly was not the case today and apparently, it was not the case yesterday either according to yesterday's report. I'm not sure why, but the track was about as fast as I have ever experienced. Grooming has not been done on this trail system for some time now and the tracks have had heavy use. It was still an enjoyable ski though. The steep hill on the red loop with the dip and the left turn at the bottom was particularly challenging. I wiped out just before the turn at the bottom. The first picture I attached is looking up that hill and the second is looking down at the point of my wipe out.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)

Skiers from a half dozen lot parked cars braved sub-zero temperatures this afternoon to enjoy good classic tracks at the Raven Trails. The tracks are well set, firm, and, though seeing quite a bit of use, holding up very well. The cover is good and good skis are not at risk. I'm still leaving my best pair of skis at home until we get a touch more snow. There are no bare spots, the cover is good, and the groomer track setter has bit too deep in just a few places. Under the Hemlocks, there is some needle and cone debris blown down on the snow surface. Skis with Start Green were pleasantly fast.

(Mark Nienstaedt)

All loops have been packed. Some thin areas on the Red loop under the conifers, on "Hemlock hill" and spots along Hemlock lake.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)