Three inches of new powder snow today; South Trail and 3K classic are now TiddTec packed, combed, and track set. The North Trail is covered in new snow, which was groomed yesterday. The average base is 4 to 5 inches; the new deck surface is soft, but we expect a good setup. Bring the good skis. Wow, what a day! Gotta love snow falling all day. It was a nighttime winter wonderland out grooming.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Went out this morning at 9* above and cloudy skies; North trail now renovated, combed, and track set. Average base 4"; deck is firm, no visible damage at all from past couple days of mild weather. Previous roll packing was very hard and the track sets are clean and deep. South trail and 3k trails are in very good condition. Will find some crumbles of snow in combing where sun hits the tails and also some leaves here and there. Bring your good skis. Even with some mild weather past couple days we still have snow on tree limbs in areas of the big woods.

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

24°F above and foggy; 1 to 2 inches of fresh snow from New Year's. We combed, renovated, and track-set the South trail and the 3K classic. We also ran one pass with a roll packer on the North trails to widen the deck for climbing the hills. The average base is 3 to 4 inches; there are 12 inches of powder snow off trail. The deck is soft; however, it should set up. The forest canopy is a brilliant white, frost/snow-covered wonder. Bring your good skis. Grooming plans: With the forecast we plan on grooming the North trail on Friday in colder temperatures. We also saw that an otter has been enjoying playing around on the trails by East Junction in the nice weather.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Went out about 4:30pm and skied the South Loop and a few additional sections. Temp was at 10F and no wind in the woods. Beautiful scenery and nicely groomed trails with a fluffy 1/2 inch fresh snow on top. Classic tracks are skied in and nice to follow even in the near dark at the end. I went out a bit later today so I only skied the South Loop+ trails about 6+ km. The earlier 3hr+ snowshoeing got me quite hungry. After replenishing with great food at the Lodge about 900 cal, I found this 6+ km classic skiing was fun and quite light on legs! It makes a perfect day (a very nice break from indoor erging)! Hope to ski all 18+km groomed trails and 5+ km of backcountry trails next time!

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(Amy Xu)

Fun ski. Trails are beautiful. Fresh snow slowed the skis but that's better than no snow. Classic tracks present.

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(Craig Peterson)

Fresh snow and grooming made conditions solid for best skis. 20k loop had a fresh groom and the snow was cold and slow and squeaky. I might have waxed too warm with blue-but on the 6k loop which had yesterdays snow on top of the groom the skis were much faster, more free and not squeaky. Classic track was solid-I did a lot if double poling and was cruising in the classic lane.

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(Jill Troutner)

We had a great ski this morning at Rainbow! Fresh 2" of fluffy snow and Doug was grooming it already early this morning. It's going to be an amazing weekend skiing at Rainbow.

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(Adam Farm)

1" New snow early this morning; combed and track set the north 9k classic skate trail; deck a bit punchy but setting up firm already, currently 8*f and partly cloudy. South trail and 3k classic groomed yesterday and has 1" powder snow cover to ski in. Average base depth 3 to 4 inches. Bring your good skis. Started at 9am after the snow was over and groomed the 9k rolling hills. Very few twigs or leaves and plenty on snow to work with. I had an issue on crow's hill so a bit bumpy going up, happy new year to all!

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

All the trails we skied were very nicely groomed with very good snow coverage. I would say good skis are ok to use! The 6K blue loop (easier loop) was in the process of being groomed as we went out so it was a bit soft, but very good considering it was just groomed. The 3K single track classic was in good condition and newly groomed too. The 9K red trail (advanced trail) was ungroomed, but the groomer said he's planning on grooming it tomorrow. From prior experience this trail is quite fun!

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(Benjamin Bauer)

2"+ fresh powder snow from Sunday; currently 29+F above; South 6k trail now renovated, combed, and track set. 3 K classic only renovated and track set. North 9K trail is covered with the fresh snow and will be groomed tomorrow. Average base remains at 3 to 4 inches; very few twigs or leaves present on surface. Combing on the deck should set up good overnight and track sets are clean and deep, bring your good skis. Started this morning at 20*F above with a fine mist in the air then light snow showers then big snowflakes falling then back to the beginning. Renovating the old base and resetting tracks went better than expected and with the fresh snow it was like being in the Winter Wonderland. Did have some skiers out ahead of me on the South trail but only saw there glide strokes. Happy New Year!

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)