The conditions on the 3.2K loop at Hyland remain impeccable. The deck for skating is deep and firm and even, the snow smooth as silk. By afternoon the powder was kicked up in places but light and dry. The classic tracks were in great shape and I'm grateful for the meditative aspects of skiing which along with my absent mindedness can almost make 6 loops seem like a 20K ski along a contiguous trail. Thank you Hyland for the gift of grooming!

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(George Wawro)

I really don't see why not to use your good skis at this point. The trails that are open are well covered and expertly groomed. To anyone who is hoping for a longer trail hyland is still only a 3k loop. Both the foothills and Boulder ridge are still closed.

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(Scott Greymont)

Good; Packed and Tracked: Star, Willow Creek and Frog Town loops (3.2 K).
Note: Visitor Center Hours 9 AM-9 PM on Weekdays and 8 AM-9 PM on Weekends. Trail Lights are on. Visitor Center Open 8 AM- 2 PM on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Trails are open 5 AM-10 PM. Use Drop box by Visitor Center to pay for day pass when Building is closed.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Wow, fast and fun tonight on the machine made 3+k at Hyland! The snow has held up really well through the warm days and lots of skiers. The track was nice and solid although those pesky oak leaves somehow find their way into the most annoying spots! No report on when more trail will open but the real intrigue is about what the sub zero temps will be like. I think this crew can handle it!

(Joe Dolan)

Incredible conditions on the nearly 3K man-made loop this early morning. Clean snow and firm, fast base, with great classic tracks. Scenic Foothills and Boulder Ridge are still not open yet, but there is quite a bit of snow piled up. The snow started getting a bit softer by 7:45, so it definitely pays to arrive early!

(Bill Oyler)

I skated at Hyland starting at around 8:30. Excellent coverage and the classic tracks also appeared to also be in good condition. However, the snow became dramatically slower over the course of my ski with lap times dropping by as much as 30 seconds per km by 10:000 am. Mashed potatoes were developing on the one significant outbound climb and glide was noticeably reduced on downhills over the course of the morning. Traffic was actually pretty moderate given the lack of available natural snow trails. Overall though, the 2.7 km loop was in excellent shape and it was a great ski regardless of the slow conditions.

(Leif Irgens)

I've found that 6am is the best time to hit the trails. A few of the hardiest are out at this time. It is a thrill to be on the pristine corduroy. The groomers are doing an excellent job on the loop through the frog pond. Classic tracks are well set and the skate deck nice and firm. Fingers crossed we get the snow later this week.

(Scott Greymont)

Happy days. They've opened another kilometer of trail out around the frog pond. Just shy of a 3k loop. Trails are in great shape. Not certain what is showing on some of the uphill areas. Maybe it is just ground up leaf litter. Maybe not race ski condition but no reason to use rock skis. Was really getting busy when we left at 9:30.

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(Scott Greymont)

They opened Frog Town loop! Someone said the trail is now at 3k, I'd guess at least 2.5k. Very nice conditions for skating this morning and the track looked pretty good too. Thanks TRP!

(Joe Dolan)

Good, Packed and Tracked: Star, Willow Creek & Frog Town loops (3.2K) 3 out of the 5 manufactured snow trail loops open. Note: Visitor Center Hours 9 AM-9 PM on Weekdays and 8AM-9PM on Weekends. Trail Lights are on.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)