Only Fern Dell and Turtleview had tracks set unless you count snowmobile tracks. Northwest loop, was untouched but skiable. On the long loop the first downhill had 5 exposed roots only 2 of which you could see from the top. Hastings and Pinecone were groomed for skating which was excellent throughout. Ishnala appeared to have a skate deck as well. Some melting and icing on Turtleview with exposed grass easily avoided. Beach and campground trails were snowmobile "groomed".

Photos:

(Robert Abendroth)

Freshly groomed today. Soft, but tracks good throughout. Classic almost 100% coverage. Skate no bare ground. After sun today and cool overnight should be good tomorrow.

(Dave Minden)

Generally good conditions; Red trails south of fern dell road were excellent. Some rocks peeking through on the purple and blue trails, but easily avoided for the most part.

(Tom Whittington)

The main quality of the surface is glaze: there is a hard shell about as thick as the outside of an M+M candy. We skied classic on the Northwest (rated difficult) and Newport (rated easy). Because of the glaze, herringbone up the hill impossible but just power up with the poles or sidestep was fine. I suppose skate skiing would not be possible on this surface but for classic I enjoyed it. We only saw one other skier the whole morning. Glad we came. After two hours my partner, not confident on hills, said "I've had it. This is discouraging." I liked it though. Would come again tomorrow if I could. We did see a groomer out there but none of the trails we were on were groomed. Bare spots not a problem - some grit and leaves but never an actual bare patch that required crossing dirt.

(Evan Genest)

With the warm weather on Monday, I was concerned the trails might be icy so I called the office and was told the groomer was out working on the skate decks. I was told the groomer would not be working on the classic tracks. I traveled the 115 miles from my home in Dubuque and took a chance the skate trails would be good after grooming. I skate skied Fern Dell and Turtelville Trails twice around both. The groomer must have made multiple passes tilling and rolling the skate deck to make it skiable. Skate conditions were fair overall. However, it was impossible to get an edge on the skis on the steep downhills. I found it best to keep the skis flat on the steep downhills to keep some level of control. Overall it was still a good ski and the groomers efforts were very much appreciated. I checked out the Hastings loop but it was apparent the groomer had spent much less time on that loop. I only went a short distance before turning around.

Photos:

(Jim Gantz)

This afternoon I skate skied the Northwest, Pioneer, and Ishnala trails plus all of the trails south of Fern Dell Road, all were in very good shape! 95% of the trail sections were fully covered with a few leaves, sticks, and a bit of ground poking through or close to the surface here and there. Overall well-groomed and fast conditions! The trails would obviously benefit from any additional snow.

(David Weber)

For the most part the trails are in good conditions. A few worn spots in tracks along with the plethora of red oak leaves in them. Conditions are fast and I was cruising merrily along!

(Diane Pillsbury)

Skied nearly 16 miles on fast but well-groomed track, skating Fern Dell, Turtle Loop, and Hastings in the morning, then Northwest, Pioneer, and Ishnala during an afternoon stride. There was a bit of oak leaf debris in some of the classic tracks, but waxless skis were mostl unfazed, and lots of control on all the downhills. A delightful ski, well worth the drive.

(Rae Van Sluys)

Fair to almost good. NW, Ishnala and Pioneer tracks were mostly shallow and leaf litter varied from scattered to annoying. Had to get out of the tracks a few times, and should have a few more! Mostly solid coverage, but a number of small dirty, thin or bare spots. They seem to have less snow than the Madison area, e.g. Elver or Blue Mound (if recently groomed) are probably better options. Talked to a skate skier who said the skate trails across the road were pretty good.

(Daryl Hinz)

We classic skied today using my skin skis as it warmed up. I was happy to see they had tracks set on Fern Dell, tracks were firm and just a few oak leaves had blown on them. We were disappointed on Ishnala and Hasting trails as there were large stretches that they didn't set classic tracks. It made for some pretty frustrating skiing. I'm not sure if other trails were tracked or not.

Photos:

(Laurie Fabrizius)