At least 5" of fresh snow this morning and counting! We were out this morning doing pack laps on the trails and some passes. In the stadium, its hard to keep the snow on the base and out of the air with these wind gusts. No classic track is set, but once the snow subsided we'll be out putting them in. Snow is very soft, but with some more passes and a sharp drop in temps tonight it should set up quite well.

Photos:

(Erik Blow)

Went out the Grand Avenue to inventory equipment and clean things up after the Marshall Holiday Ski Camp. I was just going to clean up things but I looked at the beautiful trail conditions and decided to take a loop. It was a great decision, the skiing was just perfect. Two classic tracks are set on the right hand side and the skate lane in most places is wide enough for two skiers to skate side by side. I had the thought that we have our own bit of a Birkie Trail right here in Duluth. Even though it is generous in width it feels intimate due to the big pine trees, sweeping corners and views of the St Louis River through the breaks in the trees. As of this morning, 1.5k of trail is completely snowed in with snowmaking and it looks like another .5k will be open soon. One gun was running and making large piles of snow. I am really looking forward to seeing how Grand Avenue will work as a race venue for the Proctor meet this coming Wednesday.

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

The whole Approx. 1 k loop has been freshly groomed with double classic tracks and is skiing well! Temps should be warmer today so the conditions should be perfect for a ski.

Photos:

(Erik Blow)

Beautiful conditions this morning, below zero temps over night and single digits in the morning mean the snow is set up firm, but has just enough give for that perfect ski! Snowmaking continues on the upper loop and is moving quickly!

Photos:

(Erik Blow)

The last two days have been a blessing with almost a foot of natural snow falling and our expansion into the next loop! Periodic packing efforts through the storm and some reallocation of man made material have the whole system looking awesome. Snow set up well overnight, and proved to be firm this morning. There are no classic tracks set in the system, hopes are to have some in by early afternoon. Be cautious on the downhill turn on the outer loop; it is not pushed out to its full width at this time.

(Erik Blow)

The course at Grand Ave Nordic is getting better by the day. Today we were able to ski about a 1KM loop. The trail is nice and wide, and the base is deep and firm. The classic tracks were good.

(Joe Gerard)

The trails have groomed up beautifully just in time for Christmas! A drop in temps has helped a great deal with conditions and our classic tracks are deep and skate decks firm! Come on out and enjoy a holiday ski.

Photos:

(Erik Blow)

Another beautiful day! Our core loop is open and freshly groomed, and snow making is underway to fill in some of the thin spots on the Big Bend section and good headway has been made in the roller coaster section! Snow is a little soft with the warm temps as of recent, but still skiing great.

(Erik Blow)

Five snow guns going full speed! Went for a walk to check out the snowmaking situation on the upper sections of the GANC trails. Was excited to see 5 guns blowing snow! Big piles forming just waiting to settle a bit and then be pushed out by our trail artist Eric Blow and his crew. With the leaves off the trees it was easy to see great views of the St Louis River from many vantage points on the upper trail. Can't wait to ski the S-Curve...will be a section of the course that high school skiers/racers will love/respect for many years to come.

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

Snow is still grooming out well despite the high temps! Stadium and 800m loop have been groomed with 4 tracks on either side of the stadium and 2 tracks on the trails. We pushed into the upper loop, so there is some new territory to venture into, but it is minimal coverage with some snowmaking infrastructure to get around. Take caution if you check it out, there are no tracks set in the narrow spots yet.

Photos:

(Erik Blow)