Skied the trails this afternoon. The trails had been freshly groomed and were in very good condition for both skate and classic.

(Kayo Aslagson)

The conditions were excellent for both classic and skate as the most of the trails had recently been groomed. Easily the best conditions of the year, save for a few windblown leaves clogging the classic tracks here and there.

(Chad Bergerson)

First time skiing here and I will be back! Ski conditions were excellent! High winds knocked down leaves in several spots and some twigs, but they are easily avoidable (more difficult to avoid if using the classic track). Skate deck was packed and fast. Classic track looked to be in great condition aside from leaves. One of the best places I've skied at in MN all season! The trails were mostly wooded and I saw several deer.

Photos:

(Jennifer Gross)

Wonderful ski conditions at Andes. The snow has been well packed down, no ground showing through. Some leaves in the trail at parts but despite that it was well worth it to ski here.

(John Schmidt)

Trails were in very good shape. Snow still a little slow for skating when I started with temperatures of 10 above. Finishing my ski 1.5 hrs later temperature had risen by 10 degrees with some improvement in speed. Between my 2nd and 3rd time up Chuckwagon I found deep footprints in the skate lane, and soon encountered a "lost" downhill skier who had skied down and discovered there was no lift back up. Fortunately the trail is wide enough these can be easily avoided. I found the classical tracks also in very good shape and fast when double poling, and this was verified by several classical skiers.

(Keith Brugger)

Trails were groomed prior to our arrival, and are in very, very good condition (kudos to Mark the groomer!). Skate deck was firm most everywhere, only a few place was it a tad soft. Classic tracks are also in great condition, if a few leaves here and there. Despite the slower snow, nice day to be out.

(Keith Brugger)

Trails were being groomed while we skied this afternoon, 2:30 to 4:00. Coverage is excellent. Skate deck slightly soft as it hasn't set up yet, typically about 1 to 1.5 inch soft layer over a somewhat firmer base. We avoided many hills as skis sunk in deeper and we didn't want to mar the trails. Classic tracks also in excellent condition. Overall, trail conditions as of today are very good.

(Keith Brugger)

1-2 inches of new, cold powder over a firm skate deck. Slow going, at least for me. Traces of classical tracks can be seen in places as they're filled with the new snow, but other places they've been skied-in.

(Keith Brugger)

Trails were groomed prior to our arrival with the PistenBully so the skate deck was firm with nice corduroy. There's a short section about 1/4 km from the trail head where the PistenBully tread tracks remain in the skate lane. It was snowing during our entire time out, and about 1 to 1.5 inches had accumulated on the trails. Classical tracks were well-defined, but were also filling in with the snow that was falling.

(Keith Brugger)

The groomer was out trying to repair the damage from the weather on Tuesday. There were packed drifts in some areas and hard ice in others. Places that got some sun during the day had groomed nicely and were fairly skiable. In icy places, the groomer did not even dig into the snow. I spent a lot of time removing branches and sticks from the trail and it was very cold at -8.

(Chad Bergerson)