If you do venture out to Hyland, you'll find the parking lot empty and once you are on the trail you'll realize why. With yesterdays warmup, and todays very cold temps, trail was rutted with snowshoers, walkers, runners, deer, some large bird prints I couldn't identify but reminded me somewhat of a velociraptor, and possibly a large dog/coyote/wolf (?) and some apparent skier wipeouts. There are classic tracks but they were too narrow for me and icy. It does give you a huge respect for what the groomers do because I was imagining how a Pisten Bully might just even out all the dips and peaks and vastly improve the skiing. Might be ok skiing once it warms up and softens the snow a bit, or if there is fresh snow.

(Robert Sullivan)

My first Blue Extra wax day of the season at Hyland! Skied up to the Boulder Ridge trail (following John Horn's tracks?) where I had a deer running across the trail right in front of me. I saw that the the lifts were not running at the downhill area; seems a real shame to see all that fresh powder not being put to good use. I had my own runs through the powder down the Boulder Ridge hill. All and all it was great skiing in the sunshine with lots of snow.

Photos:

(Geir Johansen)

Great backcountry ski morning at Hyland. 6" of cold fresh powder in April?! Set track from the Nordic center to the ski hill and back. Threw in a few tele descents on the North and South summits. Amazing ski day in MN! Would have posted a few photos but the iPhone froze up. Get after it while we have it!

(John Horns)

Skated a loop at Hyland. Not worth the drive. Zero grooming recently made for slow, rough trails. Which is too bad because 28F and daylight is so much better than all the dark sub-zero mornings and evenings we had in January and February. Classic might be good once a few others break trail.

Photos:

(Andor Langski)

Conditions were good. Classic skied all but the small loop by chalet. Greased lightening. Purple and Brown Rex Klister layered worked best.

(Greg Klave)

Skied 90 minutes at Hyland's natural snow trails in the afternoon. I had to walk every now and then, but the snow is still there, and if you go just as it is warming, you can get a nice edge. The lake was great to ski on--still about 8" of ice. The ski hill is fun to ski on, as it is hard and packed. I am quite dismayed at the plan to close the 3-4 feet deep man made loop, supposedly for tree trimming. The piston bully completely wrecked the trail, and I counted five trees trimmed quite off the trail. Was able to ski parts of the trail on the very edge. After being sick the flu and then a cold for January and February, I am still seeking out snow.

(Scott Engstrom)

I skated the manufactured trail twice and my son and wife classic skied the loop once. Not too shabby. Dirty, slow mashed potatoes mostly. Approaching Boulder Ridge was great. Going down wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Don't try it after it freezes tonight. Worth it. One jogger already taken over the trail.

Photos:

(Kevin Wendland)

Icy scary this morning - not groomed. Skate deck was choppy and classic tracks icy. Ruts and tracks frozen from yesterday's melt.

(Clara Bess)

It was fun seeing just about every Twin Cities nordic skier this morning at Hyland for their grooming season ender! Thanks to the grooming crew for keeping it going as long as they could.

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Great conditions over the full 5 k manufactured snow trails. One very small section with debris. Kudos to the groomers for an amazing season!

Photos:

(Jamie Peters)