Tracked all trails except Pit Run today. I lifted track cutter on areas with marginal coverage. I'd not use my number one race skis anymore at Black's, unless we get more snow. Hopefully the deeper cut tracks will provide a better experience for those desiring to enjoy the warmer temps skiing. Not sure how to keep people from walking on the trails: walkers seem to not understand that the areas with no tracks are steeper downhills with fairly sharp turns. This time of the year walking anywhere on the trail compromises skiing and complicates grooming.

(Denny Barry)

Hard but not icy classic tracks with lots of debris from sub-base: dirt and leaves- a few rocks. Several twisty segments (Pit Run) best skied out of track. Simply not enough snow.

(Mark Fickes)

It was cold, crunchy and fast (except it was like dropping the anchor on the dirt and bark). 0° today. Groomer has done his best with what snow we have. Few spots where people have walked on the track :( Thanks for the updates people have posted on here, it’s been a help to me!

(Jake Nelson)

Classic tracks are firm, fast and a bit icy due to the mix with the old crust. A bit of leaf debris, but overall really nice skiing. Thanks Denny!.

(John King)

Yesterday’s new snow combined with the raked up old, set up pretty well. There are still a few up and down areas creating not full depth cuts here and there, but no dirt was dug up. Tracks were cut on Alpine and Pit Run, still consider those adventure trails. Harry’s gulch is skiable but be aware of foot craters causing turning difficulty. Foot traffic anywhere, the scourge of maintaining safe as possible skiing conditions.

(Denny Barry)

Icy tracks were broken up and reset on about 1/3 of the trails. In places with adequate base, the old snow was mixed in with the crusty, resulting in full cut clean tracks. Some areas have lots of blown in debris from yesterday’s wind. Tracks are skiable, just don’t expect to double pole at top speed. Skied in tracks only on Alpine and Pit Run.

(Denny Barry)

Got in some pretty good striding in the fair but not great tracks this morning. We also checked snow and track conditions to ascertain grooming potential and needs. Finding fair tracks with little additional snow, the decision was made to not attempt to make them better at the risk of making them much worse by bringing up dirt. Alpine and Pit Run have skied in tracks only. Walkers on all of the downs are leaving raised ridges which could turn into hardened edge grabbers. Negotiating The Gulch and the long down slope of Alpine is getting a bit treacherous due to foot traffic creating mini turning barriers. Catching an edge is possible. I leave the track cutter up on the steeper downhills so skiers can snowplow to make the turns and keep speeds slower, staying under more control. If tracked and icy, the option to step out of tracks (if set) with one or both skis can be used. But due to the walkers, stepping into a minefield of boot ridges is a risk. It was great to see other skiers out today. Some from as far away as Washington DC and some as close as Ottertail City. We need snow!

Photos:

(Denny Barry)

Good snow coverage on the south sections. I put rock skis because there are a lot of saplings on the loop farthest to the north. The track looks made by users but in good condition.

(Jake Nelson)

All trail segments are open with only a few thin spots. Pit Run is packed but not tracked. Trails were busy and snowshoe trails were in use also. A great day to be skiing, thanks Denny for the excellent grooming.

Photos:

(Les Gunderson)

The trails were busy today following a great job of grooming. A few thin spots. Families were out with snowshoes, Thanks Denny!

(John King)