First time skiing here, a little icy but good coverage for skate and no major hills so a good safe option when conditions are as they are right now. Limited trees which means minimal debris and also great to ski with just moonlight.

(Tyler Lindquist)

Phalen has seen more skiers than typical over this holiday weekend and has held up remarkably well with all the usage without much of a snow base. There is approximately 2-3 inches of snow for skate skiing on the entire course (just a few grass patches). Grooming plans: The course will most likely not be rolled, groomed, or machine classic tracks set until more snow falls and we have a deeper base to work with. The classic tracks set by skiers are in moderately good condition, but washed out in some places. Fingers crossed for more snow and colder temperatures. The trail is right near 7k in length.

(Amanda Smith, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Skied the loop around 8am on Saturday morning. Classic tracks are in decent shape, but washed out in all the expected spots - turns, downhills, uphills, etc. A few leaves and grass near trees, but overall quite good. Did not run into any rocks or bare ground. Tracked the ski through GPS and it's just about 7k for the full loop.

(Billy Flynn)

Quite good conditions mid-day at Phalen. The classic tracks seem skied-in, not set by machine but are remarkably good through most of the course. There are sections of grass, but much less than expected considering the low snow amounts. The grass sections are on uphills where herringbone may be preferred anyway. A few leaves and twigs in the track, still nothing to cause concern. The skate deck looked remarkable! This treasure of a course is in terrific condition.

(David King)

Great morning weather wise. Trail was packed well, found two spots that are kind of bare or will be getting bare but over all really good. It is going to need a groom very soon. Did two loops.

(Jim Trost)

Long the site of the annual New Year's Day race (Hiihto), just had to ski at Phalen today! And boy, there were enough skiers out there we could have held a race! Beautiful conditions with bright sunshine, temps in the 20s and the snow still powdery. The skate deck was firm and well used, and there was a decent classic track as well. Just one or two thin spots, one of which seemed to have asphalt or rocks underneath. Trail layout was different than the last time I was here, but that's typically for Phalen. So much fun skiing there today, and great to see all the new skiers!

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Classic tracks have not been set, but there are tracks to follow. Deck had not been groomed and it was thick with the new snow.

(Howard McCann)

Skate skied at 5:45 pm, thought the conditions were in good shape for a newbie. Plan to be skating a lot more.

(Jim Trost)

As of noon today, the trail had not been packed. Skied on fresh snow over the packed base of yesterday. Th new snow, covered all of the problem areas.

(Bruce Fiedler)

The inch and a half of new snow really helped the skating here. Now there's good glide everywhere although a couple gravel crossings are still a ski threat. For the most part very nice skating, because while it is certainly flat (macro), it is flat (micro) so not at all bumpy and it skis well with shallow coverage - and right now it us not too loose nor too hard. Fun skate!

(Pete Thurmes)