Birch, Oak, Pine, Portage, Balsam, Maple, Linden, Peepsock and Core Loops are all tilled and tracks have been reset. The skate lanes have been dragged on the rest of our main trails. The crew was off the main trails by 4:30 am. The trails have set up well and are in very good condition.

(Brad Barnett)

Birch, Oak, Pine, Portage, Balsam, Maple, Linden, Peepsock and Core Loops are all tilled and tracks have been reset. The skate lanes have been dragged on the rest of our main trails. The crew was off the main trails by 3:30am. The trails have set up well and are in very good condition.

(Brad Barnett)

All trails are open. Grooming on the Upper Trails was finished at 2am, Lower Trails at 4:30am, and Competition Trails were finished at 5:30am. All trails were rolled and packed last night. We were able to set track on the Upper Trails but the rest will have to set up a bit before track can be set. Please be aware of grooming on the trails.

(Brad Barnett)

The following Trails are open and were rolled Monday night finishing up at midnight, Birch, Oak, Pine, Isle Royale, Superior and Portage Loops. The south end of Core will be open as an access to the Portage Loop. Tolkien will be opened as well. Single track snowshoe trails are all open.

(Brad Barnett)

Classic skied all the open trails. A couple of inches of fluff on top of a hard flat base. Zero rocks or debris that I could see. Ski on!

(Alan Turnquist)

This weather is doing our trails no favors. Thin spots are turning into thin areas. The crew is working diligently each and every night to ensure you have the best conditions possible. Again remember there are thin spots on the lower trails especially on the hills and south-facing sections of the trail which means we may not have set track where you would normally find it. Cemetery loop is in dire need of snow and its conditions are poor. Please be aware and as always use caution.

(Brad Barnett)

Skied some of the lighted trails (Isle Royale, Linden, and Peepsock-twice each) at 7pm. It was a tad icy, because it got above freezing during the day, and down to 30F by the time I started. Snow was very fast and fun for skating, but it did not look as good for classic. No bare patches on the trails I skied, but I can't speak for the rest of the trails. With all the warm weather we've been having, I would not be surprised if there are some bare patches on areas that are more exposed. It was definitely better than I was expecting, and not icy enough to make it unskiable. The snow was so fast that I coasted all the way from the start of Linden to the bridge on Peepsock before I had to do any work (that was so fun that I did it a second time!)! I originally planned on going in the morning, but was lazy, and decided to go later, and I think that was a good choice!

Photos:

(Erin Berglund)

There is a warming trend early this week which will take away from our meager base which is only averaging 5 to 6 inches. But we work with what we have and we will continue to provide the best product we can. The crew was out on the trails Monday night before the snow set up and our conditions are good. Again remember there are thin spots on the lower trails especially on the hills and south-facing sections of trail which means we may not have set track where you would normally find it. Please be aware and as always use caution.

(Brad Barnett)

The crew was out on the trails Sunday night before the snow set up and our conditions are good. Please be aware and as always use caution. There is a warming trend early this week which may take away from our base averaging 5 to 6 inches.

(Brad Barnett)

We received 4 to 6 inches of snow on the trails last night! The crew was out on the trails early rolling and packing. Grooming plans: Looks as though the snow will continue throughout the day. We will be in again this evening to roll today's accumulation, then early tomorrow morning we plan on setting some track and putting a finish groom on some the trails depending on the base we build. So today look for rolled trails with no finish. There will be blowing and drifting snow on the trails. Best conditions today will be found on the upper trails; Oak, Birch, Pine, Superior and Portage Loops. The snow is thinner on the lower trails especially on the hills so use caution. Merry Christmas! Please remember the snow cover is thin at best and the condition of the trails is poor with rocks poking through and hidden under a thin layer of very dry snow.

(Brad Barnett)