Great skiing continues on the North Shore! Trails were being groomed this morning and afternoon. Most had fresh corduroy over at least half the trail width by 12:30 pm, and by 3:45 pm most had classic tracks set. There were a lot of twigs and small branches blown down by high winds in some areas, but they were generally small enough not to interfere with the skin skis. We skied about a 14 mile loop between the Oberg Mountain Trailhead and the Britton Peak Trailhead and only saw one other skier, but saw the groomer twice. Pleasant mix of sun and clouds and occasional light snow showers with a stiff breeze at times.

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Skied Hogback loop this afternoon, freshly groomed by snowmobile, so good to get out on the system one more time this season! Firm skate deck tracks very good. Snow conditions were broken up crust mixed with powder with minimal drifting. Most area were void of any debris from the higher winds, short sections with moderate debris. Temps should make for great skiing tomorrow and Saturday morning.

(Liz Wagner)

I skied from Moose Fence, which had about 1.5 inches of light snow since last grooming. It actually was quite beneficial above harder base and it gave a good kick and glide combo with blue wax. I slipped a little going up steeper hills but downhills were fast with long glides. I could feel granular snow under my pole plants and fresh snow. A skier had skied in tracks on Maple Loop. Then I skied in tracks from P to N on connector to the Pjcnic Loop. New snow was so light that there was no resistance. Several skaters had done the Picnic Loop, but no fresh tracks in classic tracks.

Photos:

(Steve Langenbrunner)

Freshly groomed trails were in oustanding condition. Skied out of Moose Fence with my classic skins. The classic tracks were well formed and a bit fast (although not icy). The skate lane was also in great conditon.

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(Erik Larson)

The only April Fool's surprise on the Sugarbush this morning was the prime conditions of freshly groomed skate deck and classic tracks! What a great ski, firm tracks solid skate deck, wonderful glide and kick, an amazing treat! I used grip tape with a short pocket of Rode purple multigrade. Happy faces on the trails!

(Liz Wagner)

Excellent conditions 1pm at Oberg mtn short loop. 1" of new fluffy snow on the skate lane. Tracks were great and felt like velvet. Tracks were not icy. Bright sunny day. Then went to Tofte trail. What a ride down. A bit icy with hard crust underneath.

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(Bill Greiter)

I classic skied the Upland and Maple loops at Moose Fence. The new snow hid the icy conditions underneath, in a good way. If anything it was on the slow side. Not many had been there since the last grooming so both the track and deck were in good shape.

(Dan Disch)

Hogback Homestead And Briton Peak trails all in great shape especially with a new dusting of snow. Firm hard deck, not rutted. New snow smoothed out the glide.

(Tim Nelson)

From the Oberg trailhead, I skied the Picnic Loop, Homestead and back on the connector. Picnic, Hogback and Homestead all had fresh cord in skate lane which was quite firm in spite of the above freezing temps. Classic track grooming was older and they varied from soft to icy and were starting to break down, but for the most part held my skis on the downhills. Snow is deep out there, no coverage issues, no water berms as might be expected at this time of year. The skate deck is smooth, not rutted as often happens in freeze thaw cycles.

(Tim Nelson)

Started at the Moose Fence Trailhead and skied the Maple and Upland Loops. Places that received direct sun were icy at the start and soggy after an hour or. Snow in shaded areas remained powdery. Grooming was a few days old but still excellent. While skiing we could hear moose bellowing to each other, far off in the woods.

Photos:

(Rick Vatsaas)