All trails are now open at Swedetown! All trails are dragged and tracked, good to very good conditions prevail throughout the system. It's probably time to take the "A" skis out. The Bear Loops will be a little soft because they were just opened up, but should firm up quickly. Reminder: today is the last day of firearms deer season, dress appropriately--be safe and have fun! Grooming completed at 9:30 am.

(Tom Wright)

After Wednesday's storm (14" at my house in Hancock), the Swedetown trails have a base of more than a foot. The classic tracks were very fast, with temperatures around freezing. The skate lanes were a little soft, but should firm up. The Bear loops are not yet open, but everything else is.

(Dean Woodbeck)

With a 2"-3" base, the trails at Swedetown are holding up, but just barely. Trails were dragged this morning, but there are numerous thin/dirty/grassy spots, especially on part of Greenstone between the first cable and the gate near Powderhouse. The new area on Tamarack suffered extensive damage from a snowmobile, and the trail has been rerouted on the old section. Grooming completed at 8:00 am.

(Tom Wright)

Skate lanes were dragged this morning; classic tracks are still looking good, but expect soft conditions as the temperatures climb. Grooming completed at 10:00 am.

(Tom Wright)

Thanks to the gift of new snow and the work of the groomer, whose report was posted earlier, trails are in good shape.

Photos:

(Peter Vorhes)

With a little help from Mother Nature this week, the trails are rapidly improving! All trails are open except for the Bear Loops and the Multipurpose Trail, and all trails are dragged and and tracked. There are a couple of wet spots on Cedar, but they are easily avoided. The skate lane is firm, and both skate and classic skiers can expect to find the best conditions during the colder parts of they day. Reminder: Deer hunting season runs until Dec 1st, so please dress appropriately.

(Tom Wright)

I skated Swedetown Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Groomer was dragging both days which greatly improved conditions as the deck firmed up nicely. Not much snow in a few spots but lots of trails open to ski on as mentioned in earlier post. I can tell they did a ton of work in the offseason as most of the trails feel wider (see photos) and they also created a huge new translation zone on the hill above the old one so there will be more space for the skiathlon. Thanks for all the hard work! I'm sure the 2020 Bear Chase will be the biggest and best ever.

Photos:

(Kevin Ousdigian)

Conditions are improving as Len's, Valley and Greenstone have been dragged. There are still thin spots, especially where the recent trail work was completed. Reminder: Michigan firearm deer season starts tomorrow (Nov 15) so please dress appropriately and be aware that you may come across hunters in the area.

(Tom Wright)

Grooming for the 2019/2020 ski season started today! Len's Loop, Valley, Greenstone, Ed's, Birch, Cedar and Tamarack were rolled. Expect early season conditions, with leaves, branches, wet or thin spots, etc. Please note: trail improvements were done on sections of Len's Loop, Greenstone, Valley, Powderhouse and a small section on Tamarack. The snow is very thin there, as well as a fair amount of debris, so please exercise special caution in these areas.

(Tom Wright)