One final ski at Snowflake this season, on four short final patches of snow (three on the Special K and one on the 6K), marking the third season in a row skiing into May at Snowflake, and my 85th consecutive ski day, 112th for the year, and 132nd for the season. Thanks to John Graham and crew for another stellar year at Snowflake.

Photos:

(Lane Ellis)

Hiked the first two miles of Jane's Loop, but didn't see any skiers though I read the report from Lane -- good for you! In the first two miles, vernal ponds have replaced the snow, and the choir of spring frogs has replaced skiers (except for Lane). The first big pond is only about a tenth of a mile in, and it's worthwhile to just hear the wood frogs, chorus frogs and spring peepers singing in the sun! Thanks, John and Jim, for the great grooming this season -- Snowflake is truly a gem, and I'll see you in the fall.

(Janet Anderson)

Enjoyed some late spring skating at Snowflake, on the longest intact section of snow on the Special K (several hundred yards), for ski day 127 of the season, 107 of the year, and 80th day in a row skiing. Thanks to John Graham and crew for another fantastic year at Snowflake.

Photos:

(Lane Ellis)

We decided to see how Snowflake was doing today and were pleasantly surprised at how much snow is still there! I love corn snow and this has been a wonderful spring for it! I would say the portions of the 5k, special k and 10k we skied were 80% connected (meaning you didn't have to walk on grass - we had our special skis on for that). The spots that were open, were really open -- the rest was pretty connected!

(Eve Graves)

Went for a recon ski Tuesday evening. Special K and some segments of 5K and 8K still skiable. Rock skis recommended. (see John's post for directions to Special K) Expect to walk some bare patches. Trails were frozen solid, so rather fast and rough in places. Would be better a little above freezing. Most of the loop beginning at Lappi Lap is intact with a short walk over two bare spots. Some out-and-back segments on the 8K still skiable. Despite the challenges, a nice time to be in the woods; birds, squirrels, rabbits, deer, and a mallard pair just off the trail in a melt-water pond.

(Gordon Mesedahl)

It appears that the snow missed us to the south. Yesterday’s sun and heat hammered our trails, and cut-off all routes for the grooming equipment to the remaining trails. There is significant exposed ground on all trails, except for Special K, which is still 99% covered. Bold skiers, with rock-skis, can access Special K by skiing out the 6K return and taking the service cut-thru to the top of Takitez, cross the trail and take the cut-thru next to campsite #20; you’ll be on Special K. Exit and return on the same route. The trails remain open, ski at your own risk, but enjoy it while we have it! It was a great season! Stay well, Carpe Diem.

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(John Graham)

Morning snow was enough to add life to the trails, and partially cover some of the bare spots... enough to negotiate with "B" skis. Skied the open segments of the 6K and and several sections of the 8K which are easily accessible off the 6K loop. The "Marshall Moves" / "Dave's Doom" "Pulse" hill loop was still good this morning for those wanting some hill intervals. Thank you John and Jim for extending our season through your efforts. Much appreciated!

(Gordon Mesedahl)

This morning we groomed about 4K of the 6K trail, during a nice “snow squall”! About 1” of new snow! The modified course skips the Bee Hollow segment. Take the Biathlon cut-thru, turn left, and the rest is groomed to the finish. Special K is especially nice, but follow the detour at the bottom of TakItEZ hill to get there. Skiers report on the 8K are that all south-exposed hills are exposed/bare, and the Nikolai’s Narrows segment is flooded, so we did not venture into the 8K. I recommed rock or B skis, due to some thin snow on the groomed trail, but it should be nice April skating. There is no classic track. Stay healthy and positive: this too, shall pass!

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(John Graham)

I just returned from a walking recon of the trails. It is 55 degrees and the snow is wet and slushy, however as far as I could see, the ski trails are intact. Wednesday will be another warm day, but after midnight the temps will drop into the 20’s. We plan to groom at sunrise on Thursday. The wild-card limiting factor may be our ability to get the ginzus from the garage to the trails. We will survey the trails as we go, close-off trails that ahave gone bad, and groom a continuous trail with what we have left. I expect to offer decent Spring skiing Thursday-Sat mornings. Thanks, to Bruce Bauer and company for restoring and packing snow on the troublesome Bee Hollow hill, last night. Stay healthy, and don’t store your skis quite yet.

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(John Graham)

The above-freezing temps and forecast highs led us to not groom this morning. Tomorrow is forecast wet and warm then, a cool-down early Wednesday, followed by sub-32 nights through Saturday. That’s good! We will groom the surviving trails early Wednesday, re-route as required, and look forward to decent April trails from Wed-Friday. Stay well, carpe diem!

(John Graham)