With today's melting, we will no longer be renting skis unless we get another significant snowfall. Skiers with their own equipment are welcome to try it out--I skied most of the trail system last night. South trails in the woods still had good coverage with firm tracks (though icy in some areas, fast glide but double-poling necessary). Trails in the open were difficult--tracks were icy, outside the tracks was sticky, low spots had slushy puddles, and several areas were bare. (East Prairie, Headwaters, and Big Bluestem Loops are still closed due to buckthorn removal.).

(Maria Anderson)

We got a decent load of sticky snow last night. We will be grooming the trails Sunday morning. We won't be renting skis on Saturday, but we will on Sunday. The trails aren't groomed yet, but there's enough to ski comfortably!

(William Bjondal)

Tracks are thin and icy in many places. Decent coverage for skate-skiing, but south-facing hills going into the woods have melted and re-frozen into ice. Many grassy areas.
Ski rental will NOT be available until we get more snow.

(Maria Anderson)

Classical tracks have held up well, although some heavily-trafficked areas are pretty smoothed out after the past weekend. Tracks through the West Prairie Loop are thin and icy. Decent coverage for skate-skiing. Thin/bare areas on the south side of the row of pines (north of the pond); a couple bare spots near the tower (just before and after), and the Lone Oak Loop. (Due to the buckthorn removal project, the Headwaters Loop, East Prairie Loop, and Big Bluestem Loop are closed.)
Conditions will deteriorate with Wednesday's melting (and refreezing afterward), so regrooming will not be possible unless we get more snow.

(Maria Anderson)

Trails groomed with tracks except those east of the Tower (Prairie Garden Loop, East Prairie Loop, Headwaters Loop, & Big Bluestem Loop). A couple bare areas which are easily avoidable.

(Maria Anderson)

Majority of the trails are packed with a fairly icy base. Not enough snow to set a classical track yet. Some areas are a bit bare (especially along the pines north of the Interpretative Center), but most of the trails are skiable.

Photos:

(Maria Anderson)

Finally enough snow to ski. Mostly an ice base, the fluffy snow on top makes it relatively skiable. Grass pokes through in some more sheltered areas, but nothing that can't be skied over. The trails aren't groomed yet, but we're going to take a shot at grooming tomorrow.

(Maria Anderson)

We attempted packing the trails this morning, but there was too much slush under the snow, plus areas with deep puddles. Some trails have very little snow, just ice on grass.

(Maria Anderson)

We got a few inches of wet, heavy snow this afternoon, but trails are not yet packed. We will attempt to pack trails tomorrow, but setting tracks will probably require more snow than we have at this point. We will report on conditions after grooming tomorrow.

(Maria Anderson)

What little snow that was left after last week's melt froze into an icy base; and our recent light, blowing snow didn't give us much to work with, leaving many bare spots, especially out in the open. Trails have been packed where possible. Rocks and grass are showing through or just below the surface. Not enough snow to set tracks.

(Maria Anderson)