Conditions are great, ready for the big Mesabi East Invite. Attached are drone images of the new sprint course for the Minnesota State high school meet.

Photos:

(Deb Maki, Pepsi Challenge)

It's winter paradise up here. A little soft from the big storm on Tues/Wed but all trails are groomed and there's plenty of snow. All you moms, dads and coaches coming up for Mesabi this weekend, bring your own skis and enjoy some "me" time.

Photos:

(Cheryl DuBois)

We are still waiting for a bit more snow out on the trails before we send the Pisten Bully out to groom in the woods. We look for at least 6 inches of hardpacked snow before we look to take the PB on the natural snow, any less and we risk bringing up dirt/grass/sticks from beneath the snow surface. The Ginuz Groomer has been getting a workout in and has done well for us so far, but it doesn't process the snow well in very cold conditions like we saw this past weekend. Grooming plans: Given the deep freeze over the weekend, we are going to wait to reset tracks until we receive additional fresh snow, which is forecasted for this Wednesday. Nevertheless the groomers have regroomed the skate decks on many of the trails and are reporting good classic and skate conditions across the network.

(Benjamin Bartz)

We reported 7" of new snow yesterday and the snow continues to fall now. Our groomers have been working their way across the trail system and currently have Northern Lights, Summit, Bronze, and Cedar groomed and tracked, with Gold and Silver both having been groomed. Gold will get tracks set as conditions allow and the new snow is currently being packed and rolled on the Biwabik Spur, Laurentian, Oslo and Wynne Creek trails. The trails are really starting to shape up! Come out and join us for some beautiful Northwoods skiing.

(Benjamin Bartz)

Beautiful evening ski on Northern Lights loop. Skated, but classic trail also looked good with today’s 7” of snow. Thanks groomers! Earlier skied Bronze and Summit trails which were wonderful. Love taking the Sarajevo speed lift to the top and having a fun Nordic ski down those 6k trails!

(Paula Thomsen)

The groomers are working their Christmas Magic! The snow flurries of the past week added up to some really decent trail coverage. Deep set tracks and a fine skate deck were intact on the Cedar, Summit and Bronze. Let it Snow!

Photos:

(Cheri Johnson)

Conditions have improved since the rain last week, but most trails are still in need of additional snow to be ready for good skis. The groomers tell me that Silver is looking beautiful this afternoon. Sections of trail with tracks set may have portions with dirt or rocks in the bottom.

(Benjamin Bartz)

Skate-skied Silver, Gold, Summit and Cedar loops. Very good to excellent conditions throughout thanks to outstanding grooming efforts. The few areas of earth poking through are easily avoided. Nice flat deck. Well worth the drive today.

Photos:

(Steve Squillace)

Summit and Bronze trails with I'd say 98% coverage-encountered three protruding rocks within the track, but easy to see and avoid. Otherwise well covered with perfect tracks to stay within!

(Renee Allen)

The Ridge skied great today. Flat deck, track set. An occasional dark patch of snow or patch of grass in the tracks, but everything was easily avoidable.

(Tony Norland)