We groomed late this afternoon towards the end of the snow. 1-2" fell as we were working. We concentrated on the 5K silver trail and ended up doing 4 passes that included setting a classic track on the last one. Lots and lots of snow. The wind was really picking up when we left so that will fill in the corduroy and the classic. The best skiing might be striding on the skate lanes as it is still soft out there .

(John O'Connell)

The 5 k Silver trail was fully groomed so the deck should set up nicely, although some push off on the uphills reveals ice just below the surface. Tracks were set, but will require caution due to ice underneath and debris/dirt in some areas, especially in the open prairie section. Trails in the woods held more snow, so groomed out nicely with tracks in better condition. The rest of the system was rolled including the Ski Games side. Caution: A crew has been removing buckthorn on the Ski Games side, so be aware of some debris present in certain sections. Plan is to groom more of the system as additional snowfall warrants.

(Doug Schumacher)

We were able compact the newly falling snow on the Silver trail this evening, finishing just as the snow fall stopped around 8:30 PM. Due to icy subsurface, grooming was not possible, and tracks were not set. Grooming plans: With little likelihood of snow fall tomorrow, more compaction will take place on other sections of the trail system with the hope that we will be able to groom and set tracks by the weekend.

(Doug Schumacher)

Enjoyed gold, ski games, and bronze loops - no significant difference in quality between trails.

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(Alan Chapman)

Trails smoothed out this morning. Very good conditions in many sections; ground and debris and uneven surface in others. High school teams enjoying being on the hills and natural snow. With taking some care one can have a fun ski. The tracks are especially prone to having leaves, twigs and bare spots.

(Bill Kosfeld)

Groomed the skate lane this morning and it is good but many areas of leaves or dirt spots showing through. The base is very thin in a lot of areas. Thus use your B skis and you will still have a fun ski. Classic trail is marginal but much better on the Ski Games side -- 70% good on Ski Games side. We need more snow and then we will groom again. We groomed the World Cup trail so the downhills have been groomed.

(David Gorringe)

Tossed on an extra layer and left the comfort of the indoors for a -25F session at Battle Creek. Glad I did too - it was beautiful, sunny, not too windy (especially in the woods) and the trails were in far better condition than I'd thought they'd be. Did the gold course plus ski games loops, the latter of which was spectacular! The classic tracks bottom out in a few spots (so I said rock skis) but are generally very nice; the deck is firming up but a bit cold for skating.

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(Alan Chapman)

At this time all trails have been groomed. The skate deck is excellent on all trails, it is firming up nicely. Tracks are great where there is good snow depth, fair in other places where there are leaves showing through or the snow is thin. I skied them last night and didn't have a problem. Ski Games is Excellent! More snow. Tracks are very good except where there has been brush removal. Skate deck is also very good but a bit soft because is hasn't been worked as much.

(Bill Stuber)

The groomers did a great job at Battle Creek. It was impressive to find classic tracks. About 60% of the system is in great shape. They are many stretches where conditions are top notch. However, the remainder is thin with exposed debris. The high areas along the ridge are particularly thin. I would recommend rock skis, but conditions are very enjoyable.

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(Torry Kraftson)

The trails weren't as slow as we expected them to be. The snow was thin in some spots but overall, pretty good coverage.

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(Molly Moening)