What a pleasure to return to this wonderful layout. Conditions were excellent with over four feet of snow on the ground, the only question is how to keep that nice soft layer on top! Some areas out by the flowage show some of that ice underfoot, but overall, the well-managed trails are divine--soft on the skate deck, but firm in the classic track. Snow remains cold, green to blue is probably best, but then again, if you just want good climbing through excellent scenery, all blue is good, too.

(Bob Nussbaum)

Groomers were out this morning leveling trails followed by setting classical tracks and combing skate lanes. Skiing platform is level and firm. Snowshoe trails are firm. Conditions for all trails are rated excellent. Snow trail base 15", off trail 30" plus. Doesn't get any better!

(Norman McKindles)

Groomers were out Tuesday renovating and combing the 21 Ks of skate lanes. Classical tracks were left in place. The Bluebird Causeway over the flowage was heavily drifted. Groomers were able to open up the trail however additional leveling work will be required to obtain a flat skiing platform - it's not pretty but skiable. Overall skiing conditions are very good.

(Norman McKindles)

MECCA groomers were out midday today resetting tracks and renovating and combing skate lanes. Both the classical tracks and the skate lane's corduroy are setting up nicely. Conditions are very good to excellent.

(Norman McKindles)

The 15K racecourse skate lanes were renovated and combed producing firm corduroy. The classical tracks were left in place; a dusting of lake effect snow lightly sprinkled into the tracks. Ski conditions are very good to excellent.

Photos:

(Norman McKindles)

Beautiful trails! Abundant snow. Good tracks. The Mecca race is truly an awesome experience! It was our first time. There were a lot of cheerful volunteers on the course. We were even treated to pasties and beer in a heated building after the race. Chip timing, but no wave start. When you get an inch of snow during the race, things slow down and get a little bit like mashed potatoes. However, it only increases the beauty and reduces the risk of a crash. If you've never done it, you need to check it out.

(Eric Koch)

Early morning lake effect snow continued until midafternoon resulting in an additional seven inches of light fluffy snow. Groomers were out all day rolling and packing the new snow in advance of the Winterfest ski races on Saturday morning. Ski race registration is open until Saturday morning till 9 am. The races are geared towards the beginner skier to the more advanced. Additionally, there are three miles of snowshoe trails to be explored. MECCA Ski Trails will be open to the general public later on Saturday afternoon after the ski races.

(Norman McKindles)

This morning groomers set classical tracks. Classical and skate lanes are in excellent condition. Additional signage and pine boughs have been placed at intersections throughout the trail system in preparation of the Winterfest Ski Races scheduled for Saturday, Jan 17, starting at 9:30 am. The public is asked not to use the course on Saturday morning until after the race is completed which will be around 1:30 pm.

(Norman McKindles)

The grooming team was out this morning renovating the entire trail system while breaking up the crust created by recent freeze/thaw conditions. In addition, the process mixed in the light snow from last night. This left the trails firm, but not icy. All trails are open for skiing but at this time there are no plans to reset the classical tracks until just prior to the Winterfest Race this Saturday! The snowshoe trails are in very good condition while firm with a cover of fresh snow.

(Norman McKindles)

Groomers refreshed the skate lanes this morning, mixing in the dusting of snow from overnight. Skate lanes are level firm and combed; classical tracks were left untouched as skiers are experiencing a nice kick and glide with the light snowfall. Snowshoe trails are firm, not icy. All is good at MECCA Trails with the sun attempting to poke out in the afternoon.

Photos:

(Norman McKindles)