Nicely groomed, skate deck was firm with good corduroy. Classic tracks were set. Snow was very cold and slow. Tried out a new plant-based wax for cold weather and had decent glide in some places, but mostly slow. Actually good considering it was about zero out.

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(Peter Swenson)

Started out the morning with a beautiful sunrise. The trail groomed up well with a new classic track and skate deck. Haven't seen someone out yet, come on out!

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(James Bezanson)

Lots of people had been out, even in the sub-zero weather. Overall conditions were good to fair, but the tracks were worn and missing in some places. Blowing snow from yesterday had smoothed over the trail in some spots, leaving only a manmade track. Skating deck looked hard.

(Bob Hartzler)

Followed the groomer at approx 10:30am. Tracks needed a few skiers to help them set up and pack down the snow pellets in certain spots. It was a beautiful day. Thank you groomers!

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(Tanya Adelman)

The Highland National Cross country ski classic and skate deck were redone today. Bring your A skis, and your A game. Enjoy, Cheers!

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(James Bezanson)

Today was my first ski at the new Highland National course. I found the trails to be well laid out with undulating hills giving it a fun roller coaster feel. The tracks on the intermediate loop were a bit deeper and less icy than those on the beginner loop, but overall the tracks were in good to very good shape throughout the course. The skate deck appeared to be in great shape.

(Felicia Abler)

The Highland 18 was in fine shape this afternoon -- clearly there'd been a good grooming pass after heavy weekend use. The course is a touch shorter, having eliminated the initial "finger" on the right that seemed to be getting dirt from road spray: good move. It now runs 4.35k per my Garmin. I hopped in the tracks a few times for some double-pole. Classic folks may find the tracks a bit shallow, and at times inconsistent. But overall, a fine place to ski.

(David Moore)

Beautiful conditions on this cold day. Classic and skate deck received a fresh groom. Snow is firm but pliable. Enjoy!

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(James Bezanson)

Skate skied both loops at 5am this morning. Conditions were good to excellent. Skate deck was firm with no bare spots, but it was a bit worn and windswept in certain places. However nothing a fresh groom couldn't take care of. Overall a very pleasant ski.

(Sarah Keiser)

Nice Sunday afternoon ski! As we drove up to the course, we could ski youth skiers out at Highland 9-Hole -- lots! And the parking lot at Highland National was nearly fully. Saw plenty of skiers of a wide variety out on the trail, but never crowded. The low clouds, foggy weather and light snow made it difficult to see trail at times. But a very enjoyable ski, none the less! Trail had seen a lot of traffic but was holding up well. In the days before artificial snow trails, I'd have rated the trails today as excellent. No corduroy left, but the skate was still quite level, firm but with enough give for good push over. With temps in the upper teens, the snow was fast but not icy. Classic tracks looked good, a little washed out in a few spots. About my only quibble was a few places where an old classic track had been groomed over with a new skate deck making the course layout a little confusing in the low contrast. Not a real problem though, still a great ski. And great to see so many out enjoying the new trail!

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(Bruce Adelsman)