Very good conditions for skate this morning. Grooming last night with the Pisten Bully provided a loose soft layer on a firm, ice base. Softening throughout the day. Full coverage around the manmade snow loops with a couple of icy spots and some nearly bare spots in the northwest corner of the Field Loop. Not bad for the first day of spring and 105 days of skiing on the manmade snow. A big shout-out to Mark for keeping us skiing on groomed trails, and to the snowmakers for providing a deep base to weather this challenging winter.

(John McCarthy)

The Piston Bully was out at night grooming the man made snow loops. While it's getting thin it's still full coverage. The skate deck was tilled and is in good condition. New classic track was set and is in good condition as well.

(Mark Janis)

Excellent conditions for skate this morning. A thin layer of powder on a firm base provided some of the fastest, fun-est skiing of the season. Alas, the rising temps and bright sun are slowing things down in the afternoon. but still great spring skiing. Tracks are holding up well, with just a few dirty spots.

(John McCarthy)

The classic track on the outer man-made snow loop (1.1 mile) was deep and solid late Saturday afternoon, a mix of compacted crusty snow and ice. There was some evergreen debris in the track in a small spot at the back corner, where I would use the skate deck for about 15 yards. Despite the iciness, the end of the magic carpet downhill was slow due to a brisk headwind yesterday. A bonus was the group of three young deer that wandered down the center field track and the sandhill crane pair next to the backstretch. Skate skiers were enjoying the outer loop plus some of the inner loop segments, which didn't have good classic tracks.

(Tom Benson)

The Piston Bully was out at night grooming the man made snow loops. The skate deck was tilled and is in great condition. The classic tracks were left as is and are in good condition as well it. Tomorrow should be a nice day to ski the trails.

(Mark Janis)

Excellent conditions for skate this morning. Crushed ice corduroy, breaking down through the day, on a very solid base. Fast, but very controllable. A bit of surface debris and a couple of obvious thin spots that are easy to avoid. Occasional snow squalls adding to the ambiance. New tracks around the Woods Loop are in generally good condition.

(John McCarthy)

The Piston Bully was out at night renovating the man made snow loops. The skate deck was tilled and is in great condition. The classic tracks were reset only on the outer loop and are in great condition. The middle loops were just groomed for skate. Very good conditions for what could be the last weekend of the season.

(Mark Janis)

Got a late start today - good but slowing conditions for skate on the manmade snow loops early this afternoon. Firm base with a sticky surface layer of softening snow, especially on the downhills. Shaded areas much faster. Tracks are generally good but there are several bare spots and dirty areas.

(John McCarthy)

Thanks to the groomers report I drove to Lapham man-made snow and found it amazing. Corduroy groomed on a hard base with enough loose snow for good edging. The skate deck was fully covered with no ice areas. I suggest getting out early tomorrow before it warms up.

Photos:

(Don Howell)

Great conditions on the man made snow loop for mid March in SE Wisconsin! Thanks to the folks that make the snow and groom the trails!

Photos:

(Fletcher Belt)