Compared to other years not much base but the cover in the canopy and on the trail give a mid winter feel. We were greeted to new grooming while it snowed about an inch which made for a smooth ride. Like most trails an occasional dirt spot that are easily avoidable with most tracks deep and firm.

Photos:

(Mark Howard)

Winter wonderland in the sunny Brule forest today. Beautifully flocked trees throughout. Sally's classic trail freshly groomed. Some other trails had been busier with more washouts on tracks but overall great skiing throughout.

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(Anna Richards)

In my 65 years on skis, I have had many "magical" skis. None more magical than today. Early fog yielded hoar frost, and the trees were bedecked in lake-effect powder, gorgeous when the sun burned off the fog. Excellent grooming, classic tracks excellent 90% of the time. I skated a few kms, just slightly soft so I headed back to grab classic skis. Swix blue gave plenty of kick with the temp low to mid 20s. In nearly 3 hours of skiing, I saw no one while I skied, though the 2nd parking lot across the road was getting full as I left. The pictures do not do justice to the magical mood in the silent forest, with the thick conifers in places creating dark tunnels, with sunshine breaking through. Only to be topped by the overview of the bank-full Brule glittering in the sun.

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

Great conditions today. Despite the new snow, all trails are pretty packed down and fast. Had on a green kick wax covered by Rex 30G which was perfect.

(Andrew Einspanier)

Outstanding conditions. Excellent grooming - thanks, Brule River State Forest staff. Quite a few skiers, but there's plenty of room for more to ski safely.

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(Peter Nordgren)

After receiving about 6" of fluff, all trails have been groomed and tracked except Classic Trail, which we plan to groom on Thursday morning. Trails may set up nicely overnight, making for very good to excellent skiing over the holiday weekend. Happy New Year!

(Kurt Janko)

DNR groomers appeared to have spent much of the day today rolling and grooming trails. There was still no tracks set for classic. Despite getting at least 12 inches of snow this past week some areas are still thin and groomers unfortunately dug up dirt and debris in places, and other places are a bit bumpy or uneven. If caution is used, the debris is avoidable, but I’d use B skis for skating or classic. Overall, I’d rate the conditions as only “fair”. Hopefully tracks will be set today if the base is deep enough.

(Cordell Manz)

It looks like it will be a White Christmas! Afterhours received about 8" of snow through Wednesday night. Entry and Exit trails have been rolled, as have Maple, Oak, Spruce, River, Aspen, and the Loop trails. No tracks have been set. The warming hut remains closed because of state Covid restrictions. Grooming plans: Due to Christmas, the holiday weekend, and limited grooming staff, grooming will resume Monday morning, Dec 28th. Have a safe and merry Christmas!

(Kurt Janko)

Trails have been rolled. No tracks set. Good to fair coverage in most places. Thinner under heavy thick tree coverage. It is skiable though!

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(Beth Manz)

So, there is some skiing available at Afterhours still, but it is pretty poor. Trails held up to varying degrees through the warm weather after they had been rolled before deer season. There is a very thin base and bare spots in places. Some areas are better than others (some I’d avoid completely) if you want to use rock skis and stick to the best areas.

(Cordell Manz)