Classic skied early afternoon and conditions were great! The usual oak leaves were present but were avoidable. Both the tracks and the skate deck were firm and fast. Coverage was a minor issue in maybe two places, at least on the trails I skied.

(Josh Fisher)

Conditions for both skating and classical at Tower Ridge just don't get any better than this. The skating is firm but not hard and only on one spot in the Skills Park area did I see any thinness to the skating deck. The classic tracks are deep, firm and clean, with both good kick (on my Twin Skins) and glide.

(Mark Blaskey)

As of 11 this morning all the trails had at least one pass of the groomer and fresh cord. Many trails were groomed the entire width. Skating is mostly firm. Just a few hundred meters of new classic track were set on the far eastern trails. Old tracks from yesterday were still visible but have wind-blown snow in them.

(Mark Blaskey)

As of 3 pm all trails have been groomed for skating, one groomer wide in many places. The deck is firm cord in some spots, drifted over a little in others. Skis sink in about half their depth. Some classic tracks were set. In the protected areas the tracks are nice but compressible. In other spots the tracks are drifted over.

(Mark Blaskey)

Nice smooth skate deck; base was packed and tracked. Saw very few thin spots in the segments I skied. Some debris down, but not terrible. Didn't do any of the big up and downs since it was dark. All in all, a very pleasant evening ski.

(Tiffany Miller)

The classic tracks are mostly very good but starting to wash out on the trails near the chalet. Fast and firm with only occasional twigs or thin spots--no oak leaves yet! The skating deck is getting a bit hard but still very good overall.

(Mark Blaskey)

Trails were great! Packed down, it's a good base. There's debris and a few thin spots, but overall terrific skiing. You can go with good skis, I think, if you stay off the black trails; I found the most thin spots, dirty snow, and sticks/debris down on the big hills. Especially on Rollercoaster, I took a spill trying to avoid it all. Horseshoe, Ruby, and Big Falls had quite a bit down them too, so if you want to climb the big up and downs, go with B skis, I'd say. Overall, thank you groomers for the nice work given conditions. This is a great base layer of snow, and here's to hoping for more in the forecast!

(Tiffany Miller)

We skied the perimeter mid afternoon today. Skate ski is firm and single set of classic throughout. Great job on the blend of earlier ice with fresh- seems well timed with machines. Much appreciated. Gliding was slowed by very cold temperatures but excellent none the less.

(Darrell Becker)

Brought rock skis and left some ptex on the trail. Coverage is good but very thin. Trails have been cleared after the wind storm but the recent light snowfalls have not been rolled. The risk of bottoming out on some dirt is present. Be extra careful on downhills.

(Bob Schwartz)

Mostly but not completely wiped out by the warm up. There is still a lot of coverage but also a lot of bare ground. Downed trees have been cleared but there are abundant branches and sticks on the ground.

Photos:

(Bob Schwartz)