Very pleasant skiing with the warmer temps. Tracks seemed softer and less icy. I skied the bike trail to the River Access Road, south along the river, to the Visitor Center and back along the bike trail. Ten or more swans across the river from the boat landing.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Not enough snow to dramatically change conditions, but trails were good and newly groomed since the weekend. I skied the Mitigwaki Loop. Liked the bike trail portion best, where the middle track of the short section with three tracks was superb. Rated for B skis because of ice at the base of the tracks here and there.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

Good to very good classic track on Pioneer loop. A little thin on the east end and the turn before you down into Dry Creek that is exposed to wind and sun, but an inch of fresh snow made a huge difference.

Photos:

(Bryan Lueth)

Trails were in good condition overall, with some sections of very nice track, and other places that were icier, particularly where there were evergreens above or alongside the trail. I skied the west and south sides of the Pioneer Trail, the north end of the Deer Creek Loop, and the bike trail portion of Mitigwaki. A great day to be out!

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

If you're comfortable and capable on ice, it's very fast with epic gliding/double poling opportunity. I used fish scale classics starting from trail Center on paved Mitigwaki, north on Old Logging to Nevers, south on Mondale River, south side of Amik's pond, up to Visitor Center and return on Old Logging and Mitigwaki. Hills are tricky but skiable. Solid track, and a little fresh snow would do wonders, or wait until it's above freezing if you don't like ice.

Photos:

(Bryan Lueth)

Skied Deer Creek Loop, good double track, occasionally scraped the ice underneath. Deer scattered here and there, and a few swans on the river. Beautiful sunny day despite a cloudy forecast.

Photos:

(Bryan Lueth)

The tracks were well set. Only a couple areas under the trees where the trail was a bit thin and gravel was poking out. If you like getting lost while skiing this is the place to be: I had a hard time with the maps as many were missing the dot for you are here. So it took me a while to figure out where I was at times. Lots of intersections and I had to guess on more than one occasion on which way was the right way to go.

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(Scott Greymont)

It was my first time out in a few years. All trails groomed for classic and freestyle. Even with the grooming done before the dusting Thursday, the trails are well skied and I didn't notice anything poorly groomed. The snow felt a little on the slippery side but I think that's just the environmental/current snowpack conditions. Still, I'd say some of the most top-notch conditions I experienced. Sunny day made for a wonderful time out. Very friendly and helpful park staff. My 2026 resolution - ski more.

Photos:

(Jonathan Reiner)

I skied from the Visitor Center down the River Access Road, north along the Walter Mondale River Trail, and back on the Old Logging and Mitigwaki trails. Very nice tracks and good coverage. I was surprised at how much today's light snow filled in the tracks, but lots of skiers worked in the snow. Ten swans across the river at the boat landing.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

I skied the outer loops from the trail center. The tracks were set before this morning's fresh snow, but they were in very good conditions. No ice, a little drift in the open spots, and no bare spots either, other than behind the trail center toward the Amador Prairie. Even that was limited and avoidable. The Trillium trail was missing the tracks but that has so many turns, they don't usually last long anyway.

Photos:

(Karoly Horvath)