As of mid-afternoon today, the skate deck on most trails was very recently groomed and quite soft. The yellow (peninsula) trail was amazing--fresh corduroy. The exception to the new grooming was the purple trail, which was still good--somewhat firmer and not too skied-in. The blue (multi-use) trail showed more boot and bike traffic than ski traffic, but it was firm enough that the skating was still fine. Watch out for debris in the usual places, as well as quite a bit of poop. It looked like the classic tracks had not been re-set.

(Betsy Sellers)

Ski trails are still looking good and were groomed regularly throughout the week. Everything has been groomed and track reset throughout the forest in the last 2 days. Ski traffic has been down with the cold temps but skiers should be aware of extra traffic in the forest with the local medallion hunt taking place. Due to the cold temps again we will not be grooming this weekend.

(Jodi Saylor)

I classic skied the outer purple and part of the green trails this morning. The tracks were firm and fast, despite the sub-zero temperatures. In fact, I classic skied faster today than I skate skied yesterday, which never happens. The glide was first rate today. I used the exact same glide wax on my tips and tails that I used skate skiing yesterday, but classic skiing was the better way to go today. I used Rex G41 pink racing performance glide wax spray. It’s an all-purpose wax that’s rated for temps -20C up to +5C. The groomers were out again today and have done a fantastic job with the tracks and skate deck.

Photos:

(Randy Johnson)

I skate skied the entire green trail this afternoon. I layered up my ski wear, so the -25 windchill wasn’t an issue. The skate deck and classic trial were freshly groomed before the weekend, so the trails were in great condition. There were two issues, because of the cold. Number one, I couldn’t use my sunglasses, because they would ice up immediately and number two, the snow was very dry and slow for skate skiing, despite the great grooming. It was a lot of work to skate ski. It felt like you were skiing in sand. Any glide was pretty much non-existent and you had to do a running herringbone up the hills because of the lack of glide. I jumped in the classic tracks occasionally, to see how they were and they seemed firm and a lot faster than the skate deck. I double poled quite a bit in the classic tracks and it seemed faster than skating.

(Randy Johnson)

Brisk skate today out but surprisingly (relatively) fast with Swix Polar glide wax. They groomed everything but the gold yesterday and it was groomed perfectly, as usual. The gold was a tad softer and groomed maybe 2 days ago. This was the first time I was able to use my good skis there this year as, except the usual wind blown tree litter (purple connector and gold mainly), the coverage was great and no risk to damage your bases. No new grooming this weekend due to the cold temps but there is little traffic now so you will get a nice skating all weekend. The ice sculpture at the start is great.

(Tom Heinitz)

Everything has been freshly groomed and tracked. The ski trail conditions are great and snow coverage is looking good. Due to the forecasted cold temps this weekend, there will be no grooming over the weekend.

(Jodi Saylor)

Conditions around sunset this evening were as good as they've been all season! I skated all but the yellow trails (not enough daylight left). There are just a few thin spots, and pine cones in the usual places, but the grooming keeps improving. The skate deck was even, generally wide, firm, and fast.

(Betsy Sellers)

Went out on the yellow trails at night and everything on the outer loop but the path out to JJ had been groomed nicely and made for a great ski. Still a little difficult to get up the hills with some pole slippage, but great conditions overall.

(Jean-Scott Dodd)

Classic skied the outer blue, inner green and a portion of the inner purple trails today with my wife. The tracks were in excellent shape. The snow was perfect and the glide was as fast and good as it gets. The temperature was in the mid to upper twenties with very little wind. It was ideal skiing conditions. Hats off to the groomers for a job well done! The lower temperatures and the additional snow has make the skiing as close to perfect as possible.

Photos:

(Randy Johnson)

All of the trails have been freshly groomed and new track set on everything except the purple trail today. Throughout the system trails are looking and skiing great. Groomers are reporting the best classic track they have seen this year with the fresh snow.

(Jodi Saylor)