Not groomed since big snow a few weeks ago. Treacherous classic trails: icy, chunky, frozen tracks. We each took a couple headers when skis caught in the rough. Black Bass skating trail not packed nor rolled after 14" snow—deep!
Ranger says they "only groom after it snows". What the....???

(Patti Hook)

We got on the trails around noon. It was a cold day, but still an enjoyable day for skiing! With the snow we got, cover was pretty decent, but a bit soft in spots. For the most part, the tracks were clean, but still a bit shallow and a bit unreliable in places. In addition, while the larger outer loops were freshly groomed, most of the inner trails with bigger hills were not. Overall, a wonderful day for a (cold) ski!

Photos:

(Marcus Bradt)

Conditions at Mille Lacs Kathio were fair because of the lack of recent snow and a thin base. The classic tracks are shallow on most trails, blown out in spots, relatively hard, and somewhat fast. There are some oak leaves on the trails, which force a cautious approach on the downhills. There is little loose snow for snow-plowing on the harder hills north of the park road. The double tracks are actually in somewhat better condition on the harder trails north of the park road, which have not seen much use since the last grooming. The easier trails south of the main park road are in poorer shape because of reasonably heavy recent use.

(Mark Strobel)

All Mille Lacs Kathio trails are groomed, but the classic track is shallow on all trails. There are also enough leaves and tree debris to make the advanced hills north of the park road somewhat treacherous. I would rate the conditions as a mix of fair and good conditions depending upon which trail is skied. Skier use is moderate at Kathio so that the trails are not overly damaged by use despite the lack of recent snow.

(Mark Strobel)

Trails at Kathio were groomed after the snowfalls of last week. Classic tracks are still holding up quite well, especially on flatter areas south and west of park roads. Tracks on the hills on the north side of the road were a bit sketchy -- not very well defined. In general, still good snow coverage, and tracks were good enough to make it a pleasant outing.

Photos:

(Paul Lohmann)