The time has come to temporarily suspend all grooming operations at Valley Spur. With the warm temps and rain expected over the next few days it will be in the best interest of our base to preserve it in the event that Winter decides to make another run at us. If our base remains mostly intact and we get some snow along with colder temps that are expected to last a few days, we would consider grooming again on at least some of the system. We will certainly keep everyone informed should that happen.

(Dan Rabine)

Combed skate lanes on 25k of trails this morning and things are looking good for the weekend. Looking at the possibility of combing skate lanes on some hill loops in the morning for the thrill seekers in the crowd. Expert only please. Classic tracks still have good depth throughout but are lightning fast early then soften pretty well as temps rise. Getting quite a few travelers looking for that last weekend of skiing and getting a lot of sure glad we came comments. Not quite over yet!

Photos:

(Dan Rabine)

Set some new tracks Thursday on A,D,X,Y and W that turned out quite well. Thin in a few spots but mostly full depth frozen corn snow. Plan to be out combing skate lanes Friday morning on some trails. Ski where it's safe. Daytime temps for the next couple days are expected to be quite warm so get out before it gets sloppy. Plan to stay open through the weekend and see how things look.

(Dan Rabine)

The official ski season at Valley Spur runs from December 15th to March 15th but we will continue to monitor the trail conditions and do some limited grooming until we lose our base or with no new snow the trails will just become unsafe to ski. The long term forecast tells a story of no new snow but daytime temps above freezing and sunshine will soften things enough to make for pretty decent skiing. As of today all trails are open but please remember that timing is everything. Don't go too early when it's icy and don't go too late when it's sticky. Stay safe and enjoy the Spring skiing!

(Dan Rabine)

Very good conditions, almost everything has just been groomed. Getting soft and a little slow but not too bad. Get out as early as you can the next couple days.

(Patrick Doornek)

We received around 12 inches of fresh snow from this last storm that is now all groomed up nicely. Valley Spur is definitely mid winter conditions now. We have a very good base of about a foot or so which is way less than normal for this time of year but more than sufficient. We have great conditions right now.

Photos:

(Dan Rabine)

Trails were not groomed today but in very nice condition. The skate deck is a little hard in just the few high traffic sections leaving the parking lot. The outer loops still have plenty of corduroy left from the Sunday groom. Classic tracks are still in great, blue wax condition. Downhills are fast but safe with plenty of control. Skied D,G down classic heaven then B in beautiful full sunshine. Great way to spend some of the afternoon!

(Dan Rabine)

Dan has trail conditions up where he wants them to be after last week's lake effect snows and colder temperatures. Both skate and classic were very good throughout the weekend.

(John Gierke)

My friend and I both thought the trails were in very good condition. The grooming was great for classic with the tracks pristine and plenty of snow. After a good ski with the classics, we put on our skate skis and found the skate deck to be soft in some areas and perfect in others. Overall, skate skiing was a delight.

(Kurt Aschim)

The lake effect snow machine finally fired up over this past week and brought us in the neighborhood of 15 inches of snow to Valley Spur. Cold temperatures have helped firm things up so the skiing is really good right now. The wet and rough areas on the first part of B and in Worels Woods on H are taking shape and with just a few more grooms will be in excellent condition. Get out and enjoy it when you can!

(Dan Rabine)