Firm tracks and skate lane with enough fresh snow for good kick and edge control. There is some windblown debris in a few sections over which my waxless skis performed well. It was nice to be out in the warm sunshine today!

Photos:

(Tom Rulseh)

With an inch of new powder mixed with the lightly tilled base snow I was able to fill in most of imperfections on the skate lane. I did set a new track with decent results but we really need new snowfall for the track setter to work it's magic. Keep your fingers crossed for a snow system that may finally visit the Northwoods.

(Patrick Willman)

Skied the entire trail west to east and back. Other than the spotty but annoying oak leaves and skimpy snow in the conifers, the trail was overall in good shape. For skate it could probably use a fresh comb, but there would be no problem skating it as is.

(Pete Wurl)

Refreshed the skate lane to smooth it out and provide a more uniform corduroy surface. Mostly left the tracks alone as they remain in good shape with a dusting of new snow to help cover some debris.

Photos:

(Tom Rulseh)

Tracks were in good shape - firm and deep, though a little icy. Due to pine needles and leaves in the tracks, I would recommend no wax or skin skis. Conditions were a little icy and lumpy on the skate deck - as someone appears to have skated not long after the trails were groomed and still soft - as they left deeper skate marks. And animal prints created other lumps. Skating on the outer edge worked better. I believe they are going to regroom the skate deck on Wednesday.

(Joe Panci)

Rolled, combed and set track in 3" of very damp snow. It was 33F while grooming and with cooler weather the surface could become fairly hard and abrasive. We may try some surface renovation tomorrow morning depending on conditions.

Photos:

(Tom Rulseh)

The trail is in decent shape considering the lack of snow. Skate deck was very firm and fast, but in a few places quite thin. There is also quite a bit of debris down, and many areas with very dirty snow. All in all, still pretty good skiing, but pray for more snow.

(Dan Mckissack)

Refreshed the skate lane after holiday traffic. Tracks are still in good shape although they have not yet been set in a few short stretches due to lack of snow depth.

Photos:

(Tom Rulseh)

Wow! What a difference 1/4" of cold, dry powder snow makes! I thoroughly enjoyed a brisk 5K headlamp ski to the Cranberry Boardwalk and back. The 100M Hwy 45 parking lot connector is still a bit rough but otherwise the tracks on the main trail are firm and fast. The tracks were absent for about 100M under the big pines but otherwise the only minor detraction was the occasional smattering of oak leaves. I also checked out the skate lane and found that it had just enough new snow for decent edge control and smooth, easy gliding.

Photos:

(Tom Rulseh)

Trail conditions were great given the minimum amount of snow. Yes there were a few icy patches - especially under some pine areas, but overall the tracks were firm and plenty deep (except for a few short sections where the snow was not deep enough to set a track), the skate deck was flat and gave us a good edge, and the new snow should only have helped! Wonderful job of grooming. Keep up the good work!

(Joe Panci)