It was 37° when I started at Oberg Parking lot. The snow had really set up since 2 days ago. I skied right on top with a decent glide. Red hard Swix worked for kick. A skater had gone ahead of me and also was on surface. I skied the connector to J and did upper Homestead, which was all good. There was a lot of snow and full coverage except on southern exposure from I to J on connector trail coming back. This 2k section has melting/bare washouts. From J on return it was good again though softening a little.

Photos:

(Steve Langenbrunner)

Grooming has stopped but they got about 6 inches of wet snow since Tuesday. I skied to end of Onion River Road. The front half of my skis glided right on top, with some sinking on tail section. Fresh snow with almost no debris, so I could have used good skis, except for no track set. There is a lot of snow yet on top of hill at end of Onion River Road, though it has not been plowed. All wheel drive worked fine.

Photos:

(Steve Langenbrunner)

Full coverage, but not groomed (and the lot is not plowed). I skied from Britton Peak (Summit View, Britton Loop, Wood Duck, and Piece of Cake). There were a couple of inches of powder over a deep base. The base varies in how solid the crust is. In areas with more exposure, the crust was pretty fragile. (For example, on parts of Summit View, it felt a bit more like I was snowshoeing than skiing, given that my skis were sinking in such that the glide didn't happen). In other places, the crust had more resilience and there was a nice glide. Backcountry (wider) skis may give a bit more flotation. There are some branches down--the largest was across the trail on the upper part of the first loop (lot to A) and there was one each on the lower parts of Wood Duck and Cake. Scenery was gorgeous with the fresh snow.

(Erik Larson)

Onion River Road was not plowed from highway to parking lot, since it was still snowing hard. About 5-6" fresh snow was in parking lot when I finished at 5 p.m. It was a slow ski of course but enjoyable workout at 28°. Coming back in my tracks was better. I headed toward Britton parking and skied to the J intersection. The base is solid underneath still, so there is possibility of some skiing yet.

Photos:

(Steve Langenbrunner)

It definitely was Spring skiing, but still fun at 53° start, sunny and in my short sleeves. The snow still looks like the middle of winter in the trees. Though 1/2" of softness on top, the base is still firm. No one had skated or classic skied since whole width of trail was rolled/packed, and I was able ski in the tracks. I went from Oberg parking to the right and N on Picnic Loop, then on the connector to P at Moose Fence. The trail is littered with sticks and needles but no rocks, ice or bare spots, so use your judgement on B skis.

Photos:

(Steve Langenbrunner)

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.

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(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.

Photos:

(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)