Skated in the morning, and it was brutal. Someone had been out Saturday late in the warm and left deep ruts on uphills and downhills. We did the green loops. There is a lake to cross in between snowman trails, and could be crossed by taking the classic set track. Lynn's loop was not rutted up but had some bare spots on it. Classic skied in the afternoon and it was hard to do. Some tracks were still iced up and fast, but they were fading. Skate deck had been more rutted over the day and more snow melted in open areas.

(Anna DeMers)

New snow in the last 36 hours: 2”, Trail base depth: 1 - 6”, Snow on the ground: 4 - 12”. Skating lanes and classic tracks were reset early this morning on all trails. Skiing today is very good. There are a few low-snow areas where dirt and rocks may be exposed. Ski with caution.

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(Bill Hansen)

I skied three of the major trail systems in NE Minnesota today and found Pincushion to be the only one that had fresh grooming. Although the sun was shining brightly and the temperature just above freezing, the snow was fast, soft and not too wet. Kudos go to groomer Bill for keeping the trails in great shape.

(Chas Curry)

Great day at Pincushion. Temps stayed below freezing. About an inch of snow on top of a firm deck made for great glide. Tracks were well formed throughout. Skied all trails and they were all fantastic, completely covered. Spring is still a few days away!

(Tim Nelson)

Just finished a wonderful classic 10k ski. The trails are excellent today for classic style. It was fast, but not scary fast. I was able to stay in the tracks on all curves. Where the curve was too sharp to have a track my edges gave me perfect control. Get out today or tomorrow before the warm weather arrives.

(Bill Hansen)

A beautiful sunny blue sky day at one of my favorite ski trails and the trails were in very good shape! The recent 1-2” snow helped, the coverage was fine and the tracks were good all around the whole trail system except for a few washouts on some tight turns.

(Dave Carlson)

New snow in the last 36 hours: 4 - 6", Trail base depth: 6 - 12", Snow on the ground: 16 - 24". All trails groomed for skate and classic skiing after a nice surprise lake-effect snowfall. Conditions are excellent.

(Timothy Lederle, Pincushion Ski and Run Club)

Skied the virtual race course and it was really fun. Good classic track and fairly fast given the cold conditions. The course was well signed and pine branches were in place to keep you on track. You have to submit your own time and a suggested donation if $20. Worth doing.

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(Jim Smith)

Skied Pincushion for second time in two days this afternoon with friends who did not want to do the hillier trails. Yesterday I classic skied, today I skated. Conditions are excellent, grooming is great, and a virtual race course is set up for a 10k course. We skied the Snowman, B&B, Canyon Curves, the overlook trails and Pincushion loops. Classic yesterday was much more fun, as skate glide in the cold snow was not happening for me with the energy I had.

(Tim Nelson)

Classic skied the whole system in late afternoon. Great shelter from the wind everywhere except the stadium. Grooming was great, with firm deck and well formed solid tracks. Snow was faster than I thought it would be given the -10 degree temp. Minnesota ski pass was checked in the parking lot by the forest service. Thank you for the enforcement on this frigid day. Only complaint on the grooming was that across at least four bridges at the bottom of the hill the classic track ran off the side of the bridge! Four bridges! If you were not paying attention and did not step out of the track on the way down the hill, you would have fallen into the gullies / streams being bridged. I hope this gets fixed soon as it is dangerous.

(Tim Nelson)