Skied the entire system this evening, starting from Wirth beach. With rock skis and the right attitude, it was a lot of fun! Conditions were variable on the natural trails. Parts of the trail seemed untouched from the recent heat wave, while some sun exposed spots were entirely wiped out or glare ice. Judy loop and the front nine were holding on nicely and may survive tomorrow's heat (rock skis still advised). Tornado alley was an icy mess, but at least it was covered. 55 and 394 crossings were skiable, but icy/dirty. Eloise Butler had full coverage, excepting the usual stream crossings. Chain of lakes were rutted, making for hard skiing. But crust skiing 3 feet off the trail was a great alternative. Note that the on-ramp to Brownie is melted out in a hard to see spot; be sure to hit the brakes and remove skis coming down the 394 hill. Overall impression is that natural trails will not be continuously skiable after tomorrow's heat, but enough spots (particularly in the northern end) will hold on to make it worth your while.

(Karl Holub)

Striding, gliding as if on ball bearings on the Skyline and Tornado Alley late Friday afternoon. Well-loved but still excellent classic tracks. The usual iciness over and under the bridges on Tornado Alley, with a lot of veg and a little rocky crud in the ice, but that was the only place where I worried about my good skis. Simply spectacular conditions that keep me solidly in awe of this landscape and climate (not to mention the Wirth groomers!). Best winter ever? Trails were nearly deserted. Everyone must be at some important event this weekend :D.

(Amy Myrbo)

I skied the Cedar Lake Park loop, the Cedar Loop, and the Brownie loop. The tracks on the lakes were really in pretty good shape as well as the skate deck. The skate deck was in a little rougher shape on the Cedar Lake Park loop. Thanks to the Theo groomers for making for a fun ski around the lakes!

(Bill Lundberg)

Pretty good considering the grooming looked old. The snow was quick, base ice hard and classic tracks were visable.

(Lars Hansen)

I checked out the South Wirth trails south of Highway 55 today for an easy ski, and they were all in really good shape despite no new snow for a while - thanks to the groomers! Skating was very good, and there were also pretty decent classic tracks throughout most of the trails. There was a little forest debris in the Quaking Bog and Eloise Butler trails, so "B" skis are probably best to be safe. If you are deciding between the Chain of Lakes and the South Wirth trails, I definitely recommend the South Wirth trails, especially for skating. Brownie, Cedar, and Lake of the Isles were also really fun but definitely felt more uneven and a bit rutted for skating. All in all, some really fun skiing on natural snow in the city in great weather!

(Bill Oyler)

I skied all the Eloise Butler, Anwatinn and Bog loops, all were quite good on this nice sunny afternoon. Very good snow coverage throughout, tracks looked OK, fun skiing in the South Wirth hills! Just a few hiker footprints and those never-ending pesky oak leaves to make it slightly less than great.

(Dave Carlson)

I skied all the trails at Eloise Butler and the Bog this morning. They were freshly groomed for both skate and classic. The classic tracks were in really good shape. With all the new snow, the skate deck was a little soft, and somewhat hairy on a few of the downhills. Overall, a great hilly ski workout! Thanks to the Theo groomers for setting some nice classic tracks!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

South Wirth was rolled this morning, then groomed tonight. Tracks are set. Skate deck is still a bit soft, but will make for a nice ride. Eloise Butler and the Quaking Bog are in excellent condition along with JD Rivers, Wirth Lake, and connecting trails.

(John Daniels)

Several inches of fluffy freshies on top of a gently rolled base, with sunshine and warm temps made for some fun in the sun today on the Wirth South trails! Skating was better than I expected, and there were lots of man-made classic tracks with plenty of classic skiers enjoying the Eloise Butler and Quaking Bog loops. The snow was incredibly clean and fresh throughout (even the 394 bridge crossing down to Brownie Lake) so it's a great time to get out and enjoy the natural snow! Parking lot at Wirth Beach was completely full when I arrived - lots of folks enjoying the awesome South Wirth trails.

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Skate deck was generally pretty good. Hard snow and ruts in some places, overall better than I expected. From what I saw, classic tracks were highly variable, good in places to non-existent others. Glad for some snow to give the groomers more to work with!

(Dan Hutjens)