Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Well we waited Christmas Night for Santa to deliver the snow on our wish list, however I must have been naughty. Christmas Eve we did get a dusting and while watching numerous weather reports I was confident that we would get snow Xmas day and the next, but I was wrong; we ended up with rain and above freeze temps so it has again wiped out our white coverings. Trails remain closed and we will keep you posted on any changes.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Snow dance worked a little; blustery winds blew in last night and gave us a fresh inch of white cover. Not a lot to talk about however it is a nice start. I woke up this morning to 4*F, coldest I have seen so far. At this time it seems like we are in an up and down temperature pattern. Keep your fingers crossed for more snow; WE ARE!

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Just the trail report a person does NOT want to file: Due to mild temps past couple days, rain showers on and off yesterday and this early am hours. Our light covering of snow is all but gone. Stayed tuned, we are moving on to our vigorous snow dance; THINK SNOW.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Still skiable but conditions deteriorating--shady areas where snow is protected are still very good but the junctions that are exposed will likely be bare ground by the end of the day. At 10:15 the warm up was so significant that snow was sticking to the skis and leaving bare ground in sections. Skis definitely taking more of a beating but still a good workout. Tomorrow likely to be a different story.

Photos:

(Jill Troutner)

Skiable conditions for rock skis--very thin snow cover. No classic track possible. A mix of very good and very marginal sections on the trails for skate skiing but not enough for hill repeats and V1--staying off the edges with these snow conditions is the goal. These are the kind of organic conditions where you need to be vigilant and have quick feet because there is no room for error when the snow is this this on the trail. Need to hit the hills and V1- then head for the down hill areas where they are making snow.
Doug at Rainbow has miraculously roll packed preventing snow loss from the high winds of the past few days. Doug never blows smoke about the conditions-I showed up this morning to talk trails and snow and he keeps it real-so I am actually never disappointed and frequently surprised. He said it could be challenging and to have quick feet. Overcast conditions and below freezing temps have protected the base. More updates this week as the weather shifts.

Photos:

(Jill Troutner)

Woke up Saturday morning to snow on the ground and snow still falling. 28* and blustery NW wind. Did a double roll pack on the 6K loop on 2" accumulation of fresh snow. After the pack our base is just under an inch with a few very low covered areas of trail where exposed to the wind. The trees were spectacular with the wet snow coverage making a very pretty trip thru the woods for the first time grooming this season. We have spent the last two weeks on and off hand brushing and resigning our trail system. Remainder of trails are fresh snow covered. Ski conditions are rated as rock skis and ski with caution; leaves, twigs, rough areas in base here and there.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)