Great conditions to get out for a skate session. Classic tracks are set and look pretty good. Some bald patches in the usual spots. The best ski I have had this year.

(Joshua Stamper)

All trails open, main trails tracked and groomed. The three loops were rolled in the early afternoon but the groomer (Thanks Taylor!) was working hard to get all the rest done right. We skied classic but the skate track looked great. All in all the best day of skiing so far this year!

Photos:

(Jeff Perkins)

We have classic tracks! I skied the full outer loop late this afternoon. Everything was groomed with tracks set. The tracks were firm and full depth. Skiing was wonderful. There is very little room between the bottom of the tracks and the ground, so "B" skis are recommended. If you don't have B skis, you can always step in the skate lane to avoid the occasional rough stretches. The worst conditions (from yesterdays wind) were on the top of the prairie toward the end of the loop before the last hill (suicide) down to the chalet. The skate lane was mostly beautiful, but still soft. I came across a highly regarded local high school team (not wearing red) out enjoying the best conditions this park has had in two years.

(Paul Schaaf)

Classic skied most trails. Good coverage, rolled but no track set. Possibly the worst grooming yet considering the conditions. Deep tire tracks, looked kind of like a 4 wheeler. Also big grooves/holes in the middle of several hills. I have been wanting to teach a couple of kids to ski but it's dangerous like that. We had fun but good grooming would have made it great!

(Kristina Vaughan)

I skied as the snow was falling. Conditions were pretty good. Classic tracks were not set, but in most places classic skiers had created a decent classic track.

(Wanda Davies)

Skated a few laps around the wetland loop. A few thin spots and some debris, but I used my best skis with no worries. Good firm deck overall with a few soft spots, but I could feel my poles hitting hard ground. A little more snow could do wonders, and the flurries were starting by the time I wrapped it up. There was a shallow classic track made my other skiers.

(Bryan Lueth)

Skate skied the whole trail system this morning, and it was even better than when I submitted my last report 2 weeks ago. B-Skis to be sure. I was impressed at the consistently hard base and the flatness across the entire width of the trail. Big shout out to the groomers, who have done amazing things with little to work with...even a decent effort at setting classical tracks. For natural snow trails, this is the best game in town.

(William Sikorski)

Complete coverage but thin in the usual trouble spots. I skied all the trails except the 3 black diamond loops. The classic tracks were non-existent and there was evidence of moderate foot traffic. All in all it was an enjoyable outing and a nice to be on natural snow.

(Bob Bickford)

Although the snow surface was bumpy and uneven, I was surprised to find good coverage and some fast conditions for the majority of the entire ski course. Some type of tractor left deep tread marks in the trail which mostly affected the Hardwoods, Savanna, and Prairie overlook trails; this was unfortunate because, otherwise, they would have been pretty decent. Although there was decent coverage on all of the fast descents, these tread marks made them a bit treacherous in spots so I would advise staying off these sections if you are lacking downhill proficiency. I encountered some debris and dirt, but it was always avoidable. I was happy to see the park staff had put up some signs and the trail entrance to keep walkers off, but I still had to point this out to a couple hoofing it on boots with their dog. Overall, I was happy to ski the entire course - something I didn't expect to accomplish on this cold and low snow day.

(Michael Jorgensen)

Generally good coverage, with a few places thin; exposing sticks/rocks, etc. mainly on hills and in denser woods sections. Skied the main loop as well as the Prairie Overlook and Wedge Hill. Nice to get off the man made stuff.

(John Leaf)