Packed and combed Lake Loop to 'H' to Lower Junction, Red Pine back to 'C'. Track still seemed to be good on Prelude loops so I left them as they were. Lake Loop to 'H' may still be soft in some spots; some pine needles and debris in some areas on the trail. About 5 K of the trails are ready to ski, classic track is set on about 2.5 K.

(Tom Sobolik)

Prelude loops groomed with skate lane and classic tracks. Also up to Red Pine Junction. From that point on, ski on packing snowmobile tracks in fluffy snow. Very fun! And snip branches and cut trees along the way. Plan is to groom more on Friday.

Photos:

(Catherine McLynn)

Groomed up to 'D' cut across and up to Red Pine and Pincherry junctions and classic and skate loops from 'E' to 'F' and back down to 'C'. Trail may still be a little soft in some places. Please help by picking up sticks and branches off the trail. Set a new track on Inner and Outer Prelude loops. Lake Loop from 'D' to 'F', and trails beyond Pincherry Junction not open yet.

(Tom Sobolik)

12-14 inches of new snow since Wednesday; after three days of packing and grooming today there is about 4k of trails groomed and tracked. The trail is still soft in some places. Inner and Outer Prelude Loops are flat groomed and tracked. All trees are snow covered and very scenic. Skiers are asked to help by removing branches and twigs on the trail.

(Tom Sobolik)

Packed Prelude loops with two snowmobiles over the course of two days. Not sure if any actual grooming done. Lots of overhanging brush and small trees. As others are reporting, tough going with deep snow and heavy snowladen branches. Snowshoers welcome to clear trails with hand saw and nippers.

(Catherine McLynn)

Good skating conditions this morning with B skis. No track, but enough snow to kick one in. Many critters, including at least one wolf utilized the freshly groomed trail the previous night.

Photos:

(Jeff Pesta)

Packed and flat-groomed Prelude Loops and Lake Loop up to Red Pine Junction. Not much snow; not enough to set track but with the little bit of fresh snow from Friday night, the trails should be ok; don't use your best skis yet . About 5 k is skiable.

(Tom Sobolik)

Not yet groomed but three inches of snow fluff was fun to ski in tracks but climbing hills a workout and slow. Oh well, good enough for early skiing! Picked up a few branches and put up signs for Youth XC fun in January and February. Waxable skis worked OK with Xblue, softer wax would have been better for more kick. Old style grid skis were terrible with snow clumping up the bottoms. Skier took them off and walked.

(Catherine McLynn)