Saint Paul cross-country ski trails and fat tire bike trails are closed for the season due to thawing ground conditions. Even with major snowfall, the top layer of soil has softened significantly with warmer spring temperatures. Grooming, skiing, or biking on soft topsoil can cause major damage to the grass and soil beneath the snow. Because our winter trails double as golf courses, protecting the turf now is essential for high quality playing surfaces in the spring and summer. Thank you for your understanding as we transition into spring.

(James Bezanson, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Trails are closed. Lots of bare grass, lots of ice, skate deck maybe a half inch thick. Closed until further notice.

(Dwight Vaughn)

Highland 18 was groomed today. There are a few thin spots but overall in good condition. A classic track was unable to be groomed. Enjoy while you can!

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(James Bezanson, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

A blustery day, but at least the snow is firm now, and not soggy like it was when it first fell. While there wasn't much snow for the groomers to work with, the results still work well for skate skiing, aside from some icy patches here and there. I appreciated that they are still turning on the driving range area lights when it gets dark.

(John Karp)

Both circuits were groomed with corduroy and looked pretty good; however, the classic tracks which border that are all skier-made. It'd rate them 6 out of 10, with difficult areas where dogs or snowshoes tramped thru the tracks. There was 2-3" of good snow throughout both loops and on the driving range.

(Jim Accurso)

Not only was I the only person out this morning, I was the first person to ski on the freshly groomed trail! Although the snow was too thin for tracks, the narrow pinwale corduroy made it easy to parallel, and I moved right along. Snow texture was very good—not crystalline but grainy enough for my wax to grip and glide very well. Overall conditions very good, but there were many low spots where yellow-brown ice showed through. Most were negotiable, but I had to tiptoe in a few spots. The groomer is to be commended for making the trail 95% skiable with only an inch or two of compacted snow to work with.

(Bob Hartzler)

Highland 18 was groomed today. Lots of frozen spots with grass exposure. Trail is thin, but overall in decent shape. No skate deck.

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(James Bezanson, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Highland National was rolled today. Hopefully the cold will harden the snow and wet spots. No classic track has been set. Enjoy!

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(James Bezanson)

Due to the warm temperatures we will be closing the cross country ski trail at Highland-National golf course. If weather conditions change we will reassess. Thank you for your understanding.

(James Bezanson, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Highland today was groomed both skate and classic. A lot of ice and exposed areas, B skis are recommended. Soft conditions overall.Enjoy!

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(David Schwarz)