Parking lots (note plural) mobbed but by some miracle ski trails tracked and not trampled by hikers. Sheer number of skiers perhaps, plus well-placed signs. Did a quick loop. The actual trail not as crowded as feared. Conditions were super fast with a little blue kick, but trail base very thin! Poles mostly hit hard surface (hopefully ice, not pavement); skis scraped twigs, ground poking through here and there; base very soft. But a gorgeous day and fun to ski on super fresh soft snow.

(Janet Folina)

Skied from 54th Street to Pike Island. The trail downhill was firmly packed by walkers with no tracks set. Although a little slippery for classic skis, nothing was exposed and only a few leaves and twigs showing through the snow. Once in Fort Snelling Park, a double set of tracks were set around Pike Island. The southern side of the trail was perfectly skiable with only a few twigs and no gravel exposed. Lo and behold no walkers disrupted the trail. The northern side of the trail was another matter, however. The tracks here were shallower and gravel was exposed through the thin snow in many places. You could ski off to the side but with caution. My recommendation is to double back on the south side to your starting point. I did not ski any of the other trails in the park so I have no information about them.

(Robert Bergad)

Double classic groom. Pretty good overall, but some rocks on diverse parts of the east side of Pike island mean possible scratches on the skis.

(Christina Ewig)

Skied around Pike Island. Trails fully groomed. There are some places where rocks poke through but you can ski to the side and get good snow coverage.

(Amy Radermacher)

I've wondered if I would ever be on a ski trail that I would confidently say was a rock ski trail instead of B ski trail. This is it. There were spots where one needed to leave the trail and go through the woods and brush to get around significant areas of dime-sized gravel on the trail. There were as many rocky areas as areas with nice kick and glide. 80% of the trail was between these two extremes. This will be nice with a bit more snow.

(Peter Radford)

Lots of hikers on the ski trails making the trails not great. Base is thin. Areas are windswept down to pavement. West side of Pike Island is a little better, less windswept.

(Christina Ewig)

All trails have been rolled. No tracks set and likely not enough snow depth to do that. The side of Pike Island along the Mississippi has several windblown areas with exposed dirt and gravel. The Minnesota river side and trails crossing the island are all quite good for coverage. Just after sunset saw quite a number of deer and heard an owl hooting.

(Peter Aggen)