Trails are closed 10am-4 pm for Sectional Race today.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Today was my first ski on the natural snow trails this season, and they are great for skating if you keep a flat ski! I used race skis with zero scratches. However if you find yourself edging a lot, you'll hit the frozen ground. Also, no classic tracks were set in the natural snow. Super fun to be on real snow!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

The groomers laid down a wonderful flat surface for skate, the downfall is it was an ice rink. Very difficult to push while skating, very little control. Looks like classic skiers, if waxed correctly, would have a wonderful time.

(Scott Greymont)

Trails were groomed overnight before the freezing rain. As a result the skate deck was frozen corduroy. The classic tracks an icy slot. It was hard to control speed on the downhills. One woman described skiing today as "treacherous".

Photos:

(Richard Wheeler)

Very icy. I couldn't get an edge in. Very few skiers out to help work the ice up. Didn't seem to bother some of the better skiers, but I would wait a day if you are just a normal level skier.

(Kevin Wendland)

All 5K of the manufactured snow trails (Star, Willow Creek, Frog Town, Scenic Foothills, Boulder Ridge) are Packed, Tracked and in Good conditions. All natural snow trails (Lake, Oak Knob, Hill, North, Nature Center) are Closed.
Trails will be closed to the public for High School Sectional Championship Races from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 5, and Wednesday, Feb. 6; Trails will not be closed during races on: Thursday, Feb. 7 at 3:45 PM - 5:PM; Friday, Feb. 8 10-4 PM.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Went out skate skiing around 8am today on the 5k manufactured trails. Some sections of icy conditions, but for the most part pretty good. By my last lap the snow seemed a little softer, although still spots to be weary of. The big hill is icy going down, but there's traction going up.

(Chris Fenske)

All 5K of the manufactured snow trails (Star, Willow Creek, Frog Town, Scenic Foothills, Boulder Ridge) are Packed, Tracked, and in good condition. All natural snow trails (Lake, Oak Knob, Hill, North, Nature Center) are Packed Only, and in poor Condition.
Trails will be closed to the public for High School Sectional Championship Races from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 5, and Wednesday, Feb. 6; Trails will not be closed during races on: Thursday, Feb. 7 at 3:45 PM - 5:PM; Friday, Feb. 8 10-4 PM.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

All 5K of the manufactured snow trails (Star, Willow Creek, Frog Town, Scenic Foothills, Boulder Ridge) are Packed, Tracked and in good condition. All natural snow trails (Lake, Oak Knob, Hill, North, Nature Center)are packed only and in fair condition.
Trails will be closed to the public for High School Sectional Championship Races from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Tuesday, Feb. 5, and Wednesday, Feb. 6; Trails will not be closed during races on: Thursday, Feb. 7 at 3:45 PM - 5:PM; Friday, Feb. 8 10-4 PM.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

All 5K of the manufactured snow trails (Star, Willow Creek, Frog Town, Scenic Foothills, Boulder Ridge) are Good, Packed and Tracked. All natural snow trails (Lake, Oak Knob, Hill, North, Nature Center) are Fair, Packed Only.
Trails will be closed to the public for High School Sectional Championship Races from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, on Tuesday, Feb. 5 and Wednesday, Feb. 6. Trails will not be closed during races: Feb. 1, 10-4 Friday, Thursday, Feb. 7 at 3:45 PM; Friday, Feb. 8 10-4.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)