All Trails Groomed with full coverage. Soft and slow, as expected. But, collapsing classic tracks were mighty frustrating. IMO, after a good grooming and a warmer day the trails will be perfect.

(John Ericsson)

All the trails have been groomed today after our new 6" of snow. The skating deck is fairly firm with some sections that are not packed densely. Not much glide in the cold, dry snow. Skating conditions would be rated good. A single classic track was set on most of the trails and not at all on any hills. The tracks need compaction: when you kick down the bottom of the track compresses. Late this afternoon snow was drifting into the tracks, and oak leaves, too. I would rate the classic tracks as good.

(Mark Blaskey)

Tracks were set on most of the trails. The "I Loop" track was human tracked. Skate deck was being finished as I skied. It was firming up nicely. Being able to ski down all the big hills was great fun.

(Karen Possley)

The skating deck has some soft spots but overall it was firming up as the evening progressed. All the trails have been groomed. Tracks have been set on most of the trails, and there are a few soft areas that need to be skied down more. I saw a total of one oak leaf. The base is 4-6" thick, so good skis can be used.

(Mark Blaskey)

Adequate snow for skating although skate deck was soft. No classic tracks sets but people had skied in somewhat of a track. Hills had some dirt showing through in spots, but otherwise good. Very little issue with oak leaves this time although I used waxless skies. Great to be skiing locally since we've lacked snow, had a lot of ice, and then frigid temps.

(Libby Stupak)

Tracks are partially machine set and partially skied in. A few dirty areas from uneven trail surface. The hills are ski-able but snow is thin.

(Karen Possley)

All trails are covered in snow, but roughly half were groomed by mid-day. Anywhere from 2-12" of standing powder in some spots. Slow going out there. Classic skiing looked to be your best bet. Also worth mentioning the chalet was closed for maintenance.

(Luke Waschbusch)

Most of the trails are groomed probably over 85%. Coverage is really good and the snow looks very pretty. Because of the obvious cold the snow has basically no moisture in it so it's rather soft. The cold temps slowed it down too. Poles however poke down to the assumed 1/2" of ice base with ease, so if you happen to have B poles use those. What would make it great is a day of sun and low 20's to simmer it just a bit but that looks well over a week out. Thus we need everyone to get out there and ski to help pack it down even more. Still very enjoyable to get out. I'd like to note I didn't ski the big hills nor was able to get a look if there were bare spots as it was dusk into dark, but those are probably fairly safe to ski. No classic tracks at this time. I've skied in less coverage at Tower this year. To sum up I had a great night of skiing and encouraging everyone to dress up and get out there. At least there's no wind.

(Brady Zwiefelhofer)

Trails were being groomed. Thinly covered, but covered with only a little grass sticking through in spots. No tracks set.

(Colleen Duffy)

Believe it or not, the trails can be skied on and actually get an edge. There's just enough fluff on top what was groomed before the heat wave and rain storm came through. I got some great work in today particularly my technique work. I didn't go down any of the long steep hills however. It's really a shame that on the back side of the trail system near the ridge ATVs came right down the middle of the trails.
Rock skis are a must in my opinion. You can see some areas where there is ice so some double poleing is necessary. Don't be shy to get out there on Wednesday. I've skied on worse at Tower. Was very glad I went out today.

(Brady Zwiefelhofer)