That is a wrap on the Nordic ski season. The thaw has left us with bare ground or ice and we expect more warm weather ahead. Many thanks to our hardworking groomers and everyone who came out and used our trails this winter. Saint Paul Parks and Recreation really values having ski trails within our urban setting and hope you do to.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

I managed 16km of skate skiing in the morning, between about 7:30-9. I spent most of my time doing loops on the north side, crust-cruising around several big icy sections, and backtracking from the top of the bowl to avoid the steepest downhill, which was too icy. Not bad, given how much of a beating the trail has taken from the warm temps.

(Sarah Hobbie)

Where there is snow it is great - but there are several icy patches at the bottom of the hills and before the s curve and last steep downhill. All avoidable but not for beginners.

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(Ronald Okenfuss)

Biked over to check out the trail. The piston bully was just finishing a second lap so I chatted with the groomer - a few icy patches so be careful but the skate lane looked great. Thanks to St Paul Parks for a great season of reliable grooming!

(Ronald Okenfuss)

11am-noon - nice for an easy cruise. Looked like Como was groomed early Monday. Skate deck is mostly hard with some light rutting (a little heavy, 70-80% like this). Classic tracks looked mostly ice. There is 1/4k fresh snow on the east glacier, and another shorter stretch from the bridge to the base of the downhill. There is pooled ice along Lexington and on the sides and bases of some hills. I suggest skipping the steep descent coming back from the bowl - there is solid ice thru the pines to the lip, and again near the bottom and a pool at the base - the snow off the trail is a soft crust so its easy to traverse this area to the side, and still easy to get around most of the other ice pools.

(Karl Dewahl)

Como was still in prime condition Friday evening after the temperature dropped below freezing: firm and fast skate deck with plenty of remaining corduroy and pristine classic tracks. Very little crust despite the warm afternoon and no bare spots. About as good as I can recall in 25 years of skiing Como. Should still be excellent Saturday morning. Many thanks to the groomers for another season of outstanding work.

(David Zarkower)

Great skate deck in spite of warmer temps. I think I skied just after they groomed, hardly any tracks. No bare spots and leaves were almost non-existent. Could have used my A-skis.

(Scott Backes)

Excellent bluebird day today. Sunny and the temperature was perfect! The snow was freshly groomed the classic tracks were set and the skate deck was fresh corduroy! Thanks Dan Stedman for getting me out! Beautiful! Boom G.

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(Greg Williams)

Classic tracks were good to excellent in most places, but getting a little shallow on corners and such. There was one spot close to Lexington with grass showing through the tracks, but it was small enough to ski over, and another spot on one of the curves at the bottom of a hill where the track was solid ice, but again, not big enough to be dangerous. All in all, a very good ski. Reports from skaters were that the skate deck was very good.

(Lois Braun)

Trail was recently groomed and is in great shape! A little drifting snow and a little bit of a berm between the classic and skate deck but nothing major.

Photos:

(Ronald Okenfuss)