Conditions that cross-country skiers dream about. Fresh snow yesterday followed by cold temps overnight then PB grooming on all trail segments today. Perfectly smooth and clean. Great texture with a firm base. Impressive snow depth. The only minor issue I could identify is that the classic track on the 10k trail has been set a little too far towards the middle of the trail, so skaters cannot avoid skiing over it while climbing hills. Overall though, just superb.

(Todd Campbell)

The trails were groomed this morning for classical. The tracks were great. The skate decks were left ungroomed, but with only 1" of new snow, it looked fine.

(Joe Gerard)

I just stopped by to check out the trails at Grand Avenue. The stadium and lower loops that I could see from the bottom are groomed up nicely for Skating. There are no classic tracks set, but the ice is chopped up and the surface is soft corduroy.

(Joe Gerard)

8F. Overcast. A bit breezy. The trails were being groomed as we skied. Hopefully everything will firm up nicely tonight. The tracks were great. Skate deck soft in spots. There's so much snow. Larry says help is still needed to cut back tees and branches that are weighted down with snow on the 10k trail.

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(Louise Levy)

The Pisten Bully is back up and running (and tracking)! Grooming plans: We will groom the trails Wednesday then head to Upper and get that groomed! Note: Grand Avenue trails will host the CSS Nordic race this weekend; course prep is all day Friday, skate race on Saturday; classic race on Sunday. Directly after the Sunday race, the DXC SkiSparks will take over the stadium for an afternoon of Nordic Skiing Fun. Cheers!

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Due to a broken Pisten Bully, the trails are groomed corduroy only by our hill cats. The alpine cord is a little larger than the usual Nordic cord. No tracks are being set. The 24" base is firm and due to cold and dry temperatures, the skate deck is fast. Cheers!

(Larry Mishkar)

The trails will close at noon this Friday and all day Saturday for the Marshall Sprints. Come on out and cheer on these skiers! Grooming plans: The trails will reopen on Monday - Martin Luther King Day - freshly groomed, with the Chalet open as well.

(Larry Mishkar)

We have since completed snowmaking, and with enough natural snow on the two natural loops, we are now 100% open. Grooming schedule: Wednesday - Sunday groomed by 0800. As Spirit Mountain is closed on Monday and Tuesday, the trails will not be groomed those days; however skiers are welcome. The two natural snow loops, Deer Stand and Overlook, are groomed twice weekly to preserve snow through the entire season. We set single and double tracks throughout, along with a skate deck. The course is beginner to advanced with numerous flat sections; however the descents and tight corners rate the trails intermediate to advanced.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Only a couple loops open closest to chalet, but in excellent condition! Just groomed early morning. There were classic tracks in place that looked great.

(Philip Imholte)

At 12:30, nice skiing on fresh snow at Grand Ave. About 2" of new snow. Chalet is open, so indoor bathrooms and changing available.

(Harv Busta)