Base was good for skate ski and tracks were mostly intact for classic with a few spots that were bare and others very shallow. The snow consistency was started to turn into shaved iced at about 1pm, and I'm not sure how much longer the course will endure these high temperatures so get out there.

(Austin Bell)

Outstanding conditions which will only improve with the snowfall. Today was a great day to be out there. Classic tracks were near perfect. Some sections that are either thin or icy, especially near trees. The downhills are a blast but would be a challenge for a brand new skier. Skate decks appear to be in fine condition. Get out and enjoy Phalen while it lasts, spring is coming!

Photos:

(Mark Stanfield)

Phalen's skate lane is groomed and in super condition. The track is just about three groomer passes wide. Must have been groomed this morning. Snow was pretty slow and soft in the beautiful sun shine this afternoon. The classic tracks were set on the 6.45 KM loop but were shallow in most spots, seems like they were dragged not pressed in. Should be good skiing for the weekend.

(Bill Stuber)

Skied at 4:15 pm. The skate deck is very, very wide, and the classic tracks seem to be further and further to the right, so much so that my poles frequently plunged through the softer snow. The tracks were generally good: deep, consistent, with occasional spaces with leaves and twigs. Of the places I ski, Phalen has the most litter, especially along Arcade, where avoiding abandoned face masks and fast food wrappers is more common than side-stepping bare ground.

(Michael Kuhne)

Phalen was just beautiful this afternoon although in the process of falling victim to the winds. Freshly groomed corduroy; variable depth tracks seemed pretty fresh, as well and just about zero leaves! Sadly many long sections of track were filled with windblown snow, but where that wasn't the case there was solid kicking and decent glide to be had in the cold. Full coverage nearly everywhere, little debris, the only danger spots being the usual thin and/or icy areas under tree cover. Easily spotted in time to avoid, especially if you're familiar with the course. I used good skis without worry. Skied at hawk o'clock and saw a couple of red-tails cruising around looking for supper, one of them lifting off the snow with an unfortunate grey squirrel dinner in its talons.

(Marjie Carr-Oxley)

Cold and slow. Tracks a little thin in places but mostly OK. However, there was powder blown into the tracks in most places; where it was, the glide was sandpaper-slow. The exception was the west side along Arcade - there the glide was OK, especially after I did several traverses, which made the tracks slicker.

(Pete Thurmes)

Good coverage and was groomed at one point but now has been windswept and left large segments without classic tracks. Skate skiing deck looked great for the most part.

(Austin Bell)

Classic skiing. Went around the entire trail. Freshly groomed. Wind swept with powder covering the classic tracks in many areas. Cold and windy.

(Abijah Muthyala)

Groomer had not been out before my 3:30 visit, but lots of snow. Followed a vague outline of classic trail within the width of the groomer, and wandered off trail into the powder. Two or three people braving the quickly falling temp and high winds. Still a great time to be out, and a great space to explore.

(Tim Lehman)

Started just as a light rain began. Good coverage but it was glazing up making the corners and side-hill sections a little dicey. Hope we get a little snow out of this.

(Gary Roach)