Four inches of new snow over solid ice. We rolled all the trails several times. Cold temps tonight should solidify the groomed trails and improve the skate conditions. We have approx. 2K of man made snow loop and this loop is perfect. We have set a classic track on the man made snow and it's very good. Skiing anywhere off the man made loop can be rocky and icy. Please be cautious. We have now got a good base to build on.

(Bruce Johnson)

Really great condition for skate skiing from manmade snow. The deck is smooth and not much debris. I see that there are classic tracks as well, though not used personally. The grooming crew did a fantastic job covering this short trail with flat and hilly sections, making it an interesting work out. Very fortunate to have access to the trail since there's been no snow in southern Minnesota for a while. Thanks to the groomers! Worth the drive to Winona.

Photos:

(Ian Chang)

Our man made snow loop was groomed at 1:30 today. Overall the 1.4K loop is good. Very few ice areas and no bare ground on the groomed loop. Any area outside the groomed loop is ice and bare ground.

(Bruce Johnson)

As of Thursday afternoon, the man made loop as SMU is open. We have made snow in Yon's field and reestablished the loop from the parking lot. You can ski from the parking lot, around the field, up to the loop adjacent to the orchard and back. We've groomed the upper loop as best we can, it's skiing on very hardpack, with ice crystals, not "snow", but it is very skiable over 2K's. While snowmaking, we covered the ice near the parking area so it is safe to ski directly from that parking area.

(Bruce Johnson)

The trails are closed until Thursday. The Yon's field is pretty much ice. We will make snow Wednesday to cover the ice and make it safe to ski. We expect to have the 2K loop reopened by Thursday afternoon.

(Bruce Johnson)

We have opened a loop with man made snow. The Yons field is open and it is possible to ski from the lower parking lot up to the dike and to the man made loop adjacent to the orchard area. Simply stay on the trail that is obviously groomed. Anywhere off that trail is pure ice and rock. The open trail is firm and very safe. As temperatures permit, we will continue to make snow.

(Bruce Johnson)

What snow we have is very wet and can't be groomed. Please stay off the trails. Forecasted temps should firm up the snow and we will assess the condition of the man made loop and groom where/if possible.

(Bruce Johnson)

The only area that is safe to ski is the small loop with man-made snow. We groomed that loop and made it quite skiable. We were able to set a classic track on most of that loop. Any area outside the man made loop is extremely dangerous...ice, rocks, dirt. To access the small loop you may want to walk over to the bottom of the hill leading up to the top of the dike. Be cautious as there is a lot of ice.

(Bruce Johnson)

Chipped up hard packed snow. Should improve edgeing. Very thin dirt leaves but some of the trail is still very good. Yon's Valley has the best conditions and upper trails continue to hold snow. Lower trails not so much.

Photos:

(Steve Horeck)

Trails are fully groomed for skating and only minimal classic tracks remain. Overall the snow cover is good with thin areas, some exposed grass and many leaves. There will be a major high school race starting at 9:30 am Saturday. The trails will be prepped after 6 pm tonight. Please only ski on the lighted loop this evening.

(Bruce Johnson)