Trail conditions - Poor, good in a few areas. With recent warm temps followed by a cool down and about 1/2" new snow on top, trails have deteriorated in many areas, with ponding in some low areas that has frozen. As long as temps stay below freezing, some of the trails are skiable, but the forecast is for above freezing temps for the weekend, which will turn the minimal trail base into slush. This is also the situation for the winter hiking trails. Consequently, the annual Candlelight Ski scheduled for Saturday evening has been cancelled.

Photos:

(Rich Dirks)

Wife and I skied the red trail. Temp was in the mi-30's. Although there were a couple thin spots and a bit of ice in the track, we felt the trail was in good condition.

(Gary Trew)

Touch up grooming today on red and yellow trails south of the road. Most of the trails had a solid base and tracked well. A little thin under the trees. Skiers should watch temperatures. Warm days to high 30s are predicted through Monday and cold overnights may result in icy trails in the morning changing to soft, slick trails by afternoon. Come prepared for changing conditions. Photo is the Whitefish Bay Creek accessible by skis from the Yellow Trail. A well marked sign takes you down a 1/2 mile trail, then back along the same trail. Very serene in winter. The Black Trail is available for hikers and snowshoers.

Photos:

(John Swanson)

WOW! For those who don't live in Northern Door County, we had an amazing snowfall with lake effect squalls. Overnight Sunday, Whitefish Dunes got about 10" of light, dry snow with another 2" Monday night. Icy base, but was able to pack it with the roller Monday afternoon, and put down deep tracks on all the trails on Tuesday, including the green trail through the old growth hemlocks. The trails are pristine and, and the low sun on the snow covered conifers is heavenly. Come out this week to enjoy it.

Photos:

(John Swanson)

Trail conditions - fair to good, excellent in some areas. 2" of new snow was groomed today, and with the help of considerable shoveling, most thin areas have been fortified making for many areas that have full depth tracks with occasional thin spots in the usual areas like the first kilometer heading out on the Red trail from the Nature Center. We continue to be plagued by hikers, snowshoers, and dogs. So skiers are encouraged to politely inform non-skiers you encounter that groomed ski trails are for skiers only and that winter hiking and snowshoe trails are located in other areas of the park.

Photos:

(Rich Dirks)

Trails had been groomed several days ago but were still in good condition for classic skiing. Most of the 9 miles of trails that we skied had a good track and were able to get a good kick and glide. The only area that was not in good shape was a short section under the thick pines near Clark Lake but still were decent. We were very happy to have made the 2 hour drive from Sheboygan for great classic skiing.

Photos:

(Don Schaning)

2" of dry snow last night. Trails groomed. Track set though in areas it is shallow and soft walls which should firm up overnight. Bare ground covered, though thin in areas with grasses poking through. Overall, good skiing conditions.

Photos:

(John Swanson)

We thoroughly enjoyed our ski at Whitefish Dunes. Big thank you to Rich Dirks for his fantastic grooming. Rich suggests that you may want to bring your rock skis but he is being modest. We thought the trails were excellent. Too bad the cold is stopping some people from enjoying them!

(Janelle Peotter)

Tried grooming in an inch of fresh snow with only moderate success. In open areas base is maybe 2" but under evergreens it's somewhat less. So in the thin areas track is shallow with a little debris mixed in but in open areas track is full depth and clean. Worst area is on the Red trail heading out of the Nature Center area. Trail conditions rated at fair but rock skis are recommended. We continue to be plagued by hikers and snowshoers who insist on using the ski trails. Skiers are invited to politely inform non-skiers that groomed ski trails are for skiers only.

Photos:

(Rich Dirks)

We got another 1 1/2" - 2" of wet snow Thursday night into Friday. Tracks are mostly full depth and skiing is great where there is snow and somewhat marginal where it is thin, but overall skiing is good to very good. Worst spot as always is the hemlock forest on the green trail. Should freeze up and stay sound through the freeze period. Hikers and snowshoers are back so, If encountered, skiers are invited to politely inform them that hiking and snowshoeing is not allowed on groomed ski trails. Thanks to Dick Wideman for grooming on Christmas weekend. Merry Christmas.

(Rich Dirks)