Air temp 11 and snow temp -8. Skating squeaky even with green/polar but the classic track was a nice clean track and fast-but the skin skis were not great for grip. Skied on fresh groom-some sections were roll packed but after testing out one (Wolf-a fav of mine) we decided that the firm pack of the groom was a better and easier skate. Look at my pics to see the snow conditions-the last snow here had the same nice clean dry powder and there was a break and then an wetter dirty snow went through-like we picked up the top soil of the red river valley and mixed it in. While it is not pretty the moisture in it made for a firmer snow pack. Would have skied longer but i didn't bring the snow visor and the light snow turned into a heavier and harder snow that was painful without a hat bring or visor to protect the eyes.

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(Jill Troutner)

Started grooming this morning at -12*F and ended at 16*F above. Average base depth 4"; base temp -10C; base is firm. 6 K loop; Bucks Run; Rabbits Trail; Hawks Tr. and Run now track set and combed on the skate lane. 3 k classic groomed. Eagles Run and Ridge Run are roll packed. Good skis conditions. Nippy this morning but by this afternoon nice out. Had a mix of clouds and Sun. Decks firmed up good from previous day roll pack. A few leaves and very few twigs on the trail surface were noticed. Just a note if you get to the south side of Rainbow Pond watch for an otter who has been running around the last couple days.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

6" of new powder snow covering the trails from overnight; windy; 5*F above; light snow showers in the air. The 6k loop; Wolf Run, Bucks Run, Rabbits Trail, Hawks Run and Trail; and the 3k classic now roll packed. Eagle Run and Ridge Run of fresh 6" new snow cover. The wind was a blowing but found the grooming of 6" of white powder to be a lot of fun. Not many twigs blown on trails but in some places you see some leaves. If you are looking for snow this is the place to be. Grooming plans: With the gusty winds final grooming will continue at a later time.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

7* F above; cloudy skies; no wind; 3K classic groomed and track set; 2" of fresh powder from last Saturday and a bit yesterday; average base 4 to 5"; 20k network covered with 2" fresh powder over last mid weeks grooming. Good skis conditions. I found a really nice snow covering to renovate in and track set. Grooming plans: Grooming will continue this week depending on Mother Nature conditions.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Two inches of fresh silky snow over a very firm base made for fun skating and classic. Plenty of snow here!

(John Pfund)

Conditions similar to yesterday but icy and choppier in about 20% of the trails. Skied 10k look and parts of 6k-conditions close to the trailhead are icy and a choppier groom and the farther back deeper into the trail system the snow is more consistent and the groom has sections where it is the perfect sweetspot of corduroy groom with random icier corduroy which makes the downhills fast and interesting and uphill climbs are firm and fast. Two thin spots on 10k uphills but easily avoidable. Todays temp stayed under freezing and snow temp was -4.

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(Jill Troutner)

37* F above; Clear skies; renovated Eagles Run and Ridge Run used for Conference Race Yesterday; Hawks Trail and Run ; Rabbits Tr. ; and Cougars Run now renovated, combed and track set. With the warm up had to come in as snow was balling up where sun was hitting trail. Balance of trails groomed yesterday are in good condition. Started out mid morning at 23* above and tried to finish out grooming balance of the 20k network. Warm temps caught up to me so shut it down. Plan to continue grooming tomorrow.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Fun and fast conditions! Mix of fresh groom, skied in and roll pack. Pretty much all colder waxes were great-I had on green, my husband had blue and skis were great in all conditions.

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(Jill Troutner)

31* above for high; overcast skies; 6K loop; Wolf Run; Bucks Run renovated, combed and track set. Average base depth 4 to 5"; deck is firm; scattered leaves on Wolf run and Bucks Run. Good ski conditions. I started grooming out part of the conference race course Wednesday and had to do a double pass renovation to recondition the Jr. Course. Overall the trails held up well to all the traffic; what a beautiful day to be in the woods. Grooming plans: Grooming of balance of trails will continue on Thursday.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Mild temps/ west wind; Deer View, Black Bear, Eagles Run, and Ridge Run skied in with double track sets for the North Star Conference Race. Balance of trail system Groomed on Saturday. We had a great day for the North Star Conference Race held Tuesday. There were five teams participating and we started out in the mid 20's and finished the day at 37* with a west wind. Overall snow held up fairly good to the temps and traffic. Grooming plans: Grooming of the trails will be on going for the remainder of the week. Bring your good skis.

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(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)