There is a substance something like snow on the trails, and it is possible to engage in an activity something like skiing. We only did the upper loops, and even up there there are numerous unavoidable puddles and streams of water flowing over the trail. It was more fun than the stationary bike in the basement, and much wetter.

Photos:

(Catherine Winter)

Good slushy spring skiing. A few puddles and icy patches. Good coverage throughout, and there's still a shallow track. We skipped J and L and did not go all the way down to the playground.

(Catherine Winter)

35F. Cloudy, breezy. There was fresh snow from the morning flurries. The tracks are in very decent shape all things considered. No concerns skiing with best skin skis. We avoided the wet areas, skied around them, to minimize the fur icing up. Walkers are starting to use the trail walking on the skate deck. Otherwise, excellent spring skiing.

(Louise Levy)

The trails are in amazing shape... all things considered... zero bare spots (not even close) and occasional frozen ice hazards. Most of the "refreeze ice pondings" are very avoidable and only last for a few meters. The classic tracks are still well defined. Using waxless skis I had very nice kick and glide. I skied the entire system starting at The Deeps. I would avoid from The Deeps down to the Playground. During birding hikes on other trails, when I crossed the ski trails further down under the pine trees there were zero tracks and the skate deck was ice. The only ice hazard where caution is needed is on Upper Lester a bit after the J Downhill rejoins. When the ski trails cross the snowmobile trails the ice is ugly. It only lasts for five meters, but not skiable in my opinion. No problem maintaining a social distance. The only person I saw during a 8.5 km ski was my own wife, LOL, who was hiking on the snowmobile trails.

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(Richard Hoeg)

Skated the trails Friday night with a headlamp. Skipped the playground area, J hill, and L hill. I was worried there might be a bare spot I wouldn't see in the dark and the L hill has no track and with ruts and ice didn't want to risk a fall. The trail system is maintaining the snow well. I used my good skis and had no issues. There's 1 or 2 spots where the track is down to the dirt but otherwise everything is covered. There are a number of ice flows you'll have to double pole across, some you can go around, but none are on big down hills. Even though it's a bit rutted the skate lane still has enough softness you can get an edge. There are mostly tracks everywhere you need although they're shallow, washed out on corners, and fast. There's been quite a bit of foot traffic and some fat biking, but with the cold temps the trail is holding up well.

(Carol Koos)

It's deteriorated a bit since yesterday. The snow is a little dirtier, a little mushier, and, oddly, slower. But there is still lots of snow and a decent classic track throughout. So you should go skiing. You'll feel better if you do.

(Catherine Winter)

Fun spring skiing. Classic track is still in surprisingly good shape. Muddy slushpuddles here and there. We used rock skis but could have used good skis. We skipped the J and L loops, so I can't tell you how those are holding up. Beautiful to be in the woods in the late afternoon sunshine.

(Catherine Winter)

Lester was much better than expected at 6:00 p.m. Sure, there were some icy brown spots in the usual places, but there is plenty of coverage throughout the trail system. Trail was soft enough that the ruts were not a problem. Still good skiing to be had out there. Feeling fortunate to have this type of "social distancing" at our doorstep.

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(Dylan Chernov)

I would avoid the J loop and do not go all the way down to the playground. The downhill segment is fine but the uphill segment contains a few ice patches that are impossible or near-impossible to ski over, yet difficult to ski around due to the steepness of the slope. D, F, and G loops are still skiable and except for one major ice patch in F, in pretty good shape. The short loop containing the downhill to the chalet is closed off.

(Sara Zimmer)

Groomed yesterday, but it was very hard and fast. On the bright side, for this beginner-level skater, with all the glide I was able to focus more on technique while not working so hard. Major pools of ice to avoid, some wet, in various places. If you have the time, it's probably worth the drive to head to Boulder for a good long Saturday ski. Otherwise, enjoy a beautiful day at Lester, realizing conditions aren't perfect. Considering recent rain, however, there's a lot to be thankful for.

(Eddy Gilmore)