Overall really nice conditions, skate deck was soft but very skiable. Some sticks and leaves to avoid but nothing excessive. I really expected more thin and bare patches with the high winds we had during the snow, but the snow coverage was very good throughout. Skate deck was soft and bumpy in some areas, but generally smooth and firm enough for a very enjoyable ski. Green trail section from the falls back to the bottom of the big hill is heavily trafficked (this is multi-use so fair game) so rock skis are recommended here for sure. Great job by the groomers, thank you!

(Craig Woodley)

Surprisingly good - even tracked -- At the trails we used: red, yellow and orange! A bit soft and here and there, as well as some grass, dirt, etc. But what a treat after Hiawatha golf course the previous day (very thin coverage, with some dirt and gravel and lots of grass poking through the rolled trail).

(Janet Folina)

All of Willow’s trails have been rolled. With the exception of part of the Orange and all of the Red trails, all trails have been tracked. Hopefully we’ll be able to finish tracking those trails tomorrow. Trails are generally in good shape but you may encounter a few thin spots. The high winds brought down a lot of sticks and branches, some of which remain buried in the ski trails.

(David Thofern)

Skiing? I wound up chain sawing more than skiing. Skiing first: Purple Trail. No track when I arrived. No problem. My pole tips were contacting the hard surface below the rolled trail. The pole tips are maybe 2 1/4" long. It's gravel or dirt I am feeling in the poles. Found a down tree blocking most of the trail. Groomer Dave and I solved that. Dave was setting track. Bottom line here, skaters are probably okay on good skis. Classic skiers will be riding a very thin layer of snowpack in the track. Do not risk damage to your good skis. Use the B or rock skis. Wood is okay, that's an easy fix on minor damage.

(Jeff Bolte)

10" new snow. All trails are rolled and should be a fairly good skate deck (soft). Tracks are being set now so keep an eye out for updates as it takes some time to cover all trails with the groomer.

(Jeff Roberts)

Rolling is in progress this morning with only one tow vehicle operating. This will take a while. At the same time, "Ski trails open" signs are being put up. So right now, noonish, some trails will have open signs and some will not. The north side trails were first up with the roller. Grooming plans: After lunch there is a plan to take a Ginzu out to see how that goes, and get the open signs up south of the river. Look for an update with results from the groomers.

(Jeff Bolte)

Having back country skiing experience, skiing unbroken snow is nothing new. The treeless areas of grass in the beach area skied decent. The Purple trail went from good to bad to ugly. I walked out from the exit of the River loop due to icing on the kick zone. Other nasties included skis sliding out to the inside or outside on crowns in the trail. The boots tilt with the slides and balance is challenged. The lesson is to just ski the picnic area flats away from the leaf filled grass in the tree areas.

(Jeff Bolte)