Followed the groomer this morning so conditions were smooth and fast. Probably 95% of the trail is skiable. The groomer was even putting down classic tracks in places. Mornings probably work best.

Photos:

(Mark Balhorn)

At 36 degrees in the rain, Rocks still provided a good ski. The snow was soft and slow on the downhills, but there was little ice. The trail has been groomed within the last couple of days, so there was only occasional debris that was easily avoidable. The entire system had snow cover, though I didn't ski from the X-country lodge up to the downhill lodge, so I can't testify to that stretch. Be careful on Last Thrill Hill as there is a narrow snow path between bare spots. The dream is not dead yet!

(Mark Balhorn)

Excellent skiing at Standing Rocks today. Full coverage and fresh grooming on everything I skied, which was everything except for the Lodge Loop (which would have bare spots), Red Pine, and Last Thrill. It was only 31 degrees at 1:00 when I finished, so I expect conditions to be excellent again tomorrow before it gets too warm. Really nice! I skated, but the tracks looked excellent, as well. No debris at all!

Photos:

(Bill Fehrenbach)

Super fast until about 11AM after which it turned to very slow as the weather was warm and the snow has not yet lost much of its moisture. Yeah, oak leaves... Fact, there was a lot of them. It's a red oak forest, and it's been windy lately, so what should we expect? It's like complaining there are deer tracks on the trails (which there were actually). Skate skied right through them, and in the current conditions for classic, I do not know what other skis to use besides skins, particularly after it warms up and the snow is slow. And skin skis do generally just fine over oak leaves. That would be my best advice for striding, as I would not want to experience the kilster + oak leaf cocktail. Anyway, those trails were amazing. Great job by the county to keep these in the shape they are!

(Gui Girard)

Looked great driving by into the park to the lodge. I am looking forward to skiing here tomorrow!

Photos:

(Gui Girard)

Fantastic grooming - solid, flat skate lanes and deep, well-formed classic track. We didn't encounter any icy patches. Too bad the wind is blowing down leaves; they are starting to collect in the track making some stretches unusable unless you are using waxless skis. Other debris is minimal and can be stepped over.

(Denise Smith)

County guys did a great job of grooming the deck and setting down new tracks after a 10-inch snowfall. It was slow today, due to the softness of the fresh snow, but it was beautiful. Moreover, I didn't see a single oak leaf on the trail.
Tomorrow should be even better.

(Mark Balhorn)

Most segments were groomed this morning, making for very good skating on 98 percent of the trail. All connecting shortcuts have been groomed also. The snow is holding up well in the skate lane but a couple of sunny spots show dirt at the very edges, and there are a few icy/chunky spots and debris on the trail to watch out for, as well as bark, branches, and leaves. Classic tracks not good. Tracks have been reset and are in decent shape on the lighted loops, but beyond there they are in rough shape. Many skiers out today enjoying the good grooming.

(Mindy Borchardt)

I skated the blue loop and it was wonderful! the classic tracks looked deep and sharp and fresh but I did not classic ski. The new warming house was nice too! The groomer appears to be working fine!

(Kay Lum)

Rocks was in fine shape this morning. Skate deck was softening up due to rising temps. Kudos to park staff for the continued outstanding grooming. Lots of folks here training for the Birkie. Get out early before it warms up.

Photos:

(Scott Frazier)