Skate conditions were good one the red loop out to the shelter. However, skate conditions on the red loop beyond the shelter were marginal at best. The deck was uneven and a bit soft. More snow is needed to improve skate conditions. Classical conditions were a little better although tracks were generally shallow so more snow is needed overall. The tracks from the shelter to the parking lot had a lot of debris. Again, more snow is needed to improve coditions.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)

Today all trails have been groomed and tracked. All trails are skiable and in fair to good condition. Local areas received snow accumulation of only about an inch and a half to two inches of snow (at most) in the past week so the trails still have some thin spots. Expect a little debris on the trail. The wet areas that were present are now frozen but can be slick with some ice. The recent sub-zero temps have made the snow very sugary and made it a little more difficult to groom.

(Joe Kraetke)

A small amount of snow fell yesterday. I groomed the skaters loop with the groomer and the wet spot has frozen over. A few spots of soil pulled up into the base. All other loops had shallow tracks set. Need more snow to level out the dips and undulations in the base. Fair to good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

All loops packed today. No bare spots noticed. Wet area on the Red/Skaters loop just after leaving the trailhead. More snow and the colder weather predicted will greatly increase trail conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

Several inches of snow fell today. All loops have been packed with the roller. Good starting base with no bare spots. Two small wet areas on the trail. One just past Helen lake and the other is just after you leave the trailhead on the Red/skaters loop. No tracks set.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

About 4 inches of wet snow overnight, so we give McNaughton a try. It was skiable, no wax skis with Maxi-Glide. The glide at first was pretty good but as the day went on our skis got stickier. There were rocks and sticks to avoid. The flocked tress were beautiful and was great to be skiing the first week of November around home. Lets hope this is the start of a very long snowy winter.

Photos:

(Greg Dahl)