When I arrived just before noon, the trails had already been groomed with the new snow. Trail conditions were excellent. My only complaint is that I prefer that the steep downhills be dragged instead of tracked. I like to ski down them without falling and that is not always possible when the steep downhills have not been dragged. I had trouble with the steep hill on the return loop and the connecting trail on the green loop. Otherwise it was awesome. I thought this was a classic only trail but I came upon someone skating it on my way back from skiing the red loop. I went back out to ski the green loop and the skater had ruined the pristine classic tracks.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)

Newly groomed great conditions. We did red and blue loops, about 5 miles total. Though you can feel the crunchy ice underneath, it does not impact ski conditions at all. Perfect day! Tomorrow will be even better with new snow.

(Suzi Wahl)

Trail cleared of down trees and branches. All loops cut twice and tracked. Treail littered with leaf and pine needle debris. Fair conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

Icy crust due to storm, lots of leaf and twig debris. Trails clear with a thin base. Skiable, but rough.

(Dan Perry)

Thin base in areas. All loops have been tracked. Some pine needle debris pulled up when grooming. Fair to good conditions.

(Tony Martinez, Wisconsin DNR)

Two inches of powder over a firm base made cold weather skating slow but enjoyable. No rocks or other debris were encountered. The few footprints did not interfere with my skate ski.

(Brian Ciske)

I skied a little of Madeline, and visited many other trails, in the area, last Friday. We have had about four inches in Rhinelander. All area trails were rolled, and grooming can commence quite soon!

(Bob Nussbaum)