This afternoon we compacted the 8” of powder, that was still coming down at 3pm. Too deep and soft for the Skidoo/Ginzu combination, so we ran 2 Skidoos and the Bearcat with our roller compactor, on all 14K, 3 times. As we finished, the wind came up, so no point in setting a track. We will resume grooming at 9 am on Sunday, plan to have a skate deck on the 6K by 10:00, a classic track by 11:00, and plan to then groom a skate deck on the 8K. Depending on time and energy, we may set a classic track on the 8K tomorrow. KidSki is On, 1:30-3:30 tomorrow.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Due to the developing snow event, and mainly because of the high winds forecast throughout Saturday, Snowflake will be closed on Saturday.
We will not be grooming the new snow until winds subside, because we expect a lot of debris from the wind. The chalet will be closed. As we begin recovery and grooming, I will update the status on skinnyski, and our phone message.
We anticipate re-opening on Sunday morning. Snowflake KidSki will be happening from 1:30-3:30 on Sunday. The chalet will be very busy, and kid-size rental equipment will not be available between noon-3:30.

(John Graham)

Hit the trails just as the groomers were leaving the 5k and working on the 8k so I was treated to fresh cord and was the first on the tracks. The skate deck was firm as heck and the tracks well molded. With temps below zero it was a lot of work trying to glide with inappropriate wax on my tips and tails! Thank you groomers!

Photos:

(Eve Graves)

Frigid, but beautiful morning! We got about 3” of dry snow thru last night. This morning we had 3 groomers, so we compacted and groomed all trails, then set new classic tracks on all trails. The skate decks are very firm and smooth. The classic track is soft, due to the dry snow and low humidity. Best we can do at this temperature. The fresh snow did cover the debris which has plagued us for a week. We are open til 8 tonight.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Amazing sunrise this morning. 1-2” of fresh snow overnight. All skate decks were groomed this morning, and they are firm with a corduroy fluff on top. Previously set classic tracks are still defined, and just need the new snow to be skied-in. The 8K track is in very good shape. KidSki session today from 1:30-3:30. Chalet and Chalet area will be crowded, but the trails are not congested past the 1K marker.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Beautiful sunny ski at Snowflake this morning. Both the 8k and 5k were in great shape. Thanks, groomers, for keeping the trails in great condition!

(Annalisa Peterson)

One word: perfect. The groomers must have just went out prior to mid-afternoon as there was a bit of fluff on top of all of the trail. The 5K was especially fast and furiously fun due to the broken up solid, icy snow providing a bit more glide. The classic tracks looked deep and solid. Thank you to the Snowflake team--the best skate around I think!

(Jena Ogston)

Snowflake was groomed yesterday, but there was evidence of very heavy use since then. The tracks that were intact were fast, not icy. All of the turns were completely wiped out, many of the curves were wiped out and someone skated over the tracks in quite a few places. Since the snow is kinda crunchy it made for a frustrating classic ski and those groomers worked so very hard to dig out the tracks and make them nice again! I had to jump into the skate deck quite often and that was also very well used, not icy, just fast.

Photos:

(Eve Graves)

All trails skate decks were refreshed this morning. The 6K is very firm, the 8K firming-up better each day. Decent classic tracks on all trails, the 8K track seeing less use and needing to be skied-in. On Sunday afternoon, tomorrow, we begin our 6-Sunday KidSki program. With 74 kids enrolled, plus coaches and staff, the chalet and surrounding area, and parking lots, will be very crowded between 1:30-3:30. We will not be renting kids skis between noon and 3:45 because our rental inventory is committed to KidSki participants. Although the 8K and distant segments of the 6K will not see activity, and we remain open, it will be best for members and visitors to ski before 1 pm, or after 3:45. We will be refrshing the skate decks tomorrow morning, and Monday.

(John Graham)

Skated all trails today at Snowflake and they were outstanding. The only very very minor issue is some small trail debris from the recent wind but nothing that would damage skis-as stated earlier, please pick up a few sticks when you are out. Thank you John and crew for your hard work grooming after the rain last week. I think the trails are even better than earlier in the season. Trails were flat and fast with some transformed sugar snow mixed with newer snow. There were a few chunky areas and moderately soft pole plants on a few parts of the 8K which was slightly softer and slower than the 6K (includes the 'new' biathalon loop + special K). Always top notch skiing at Snowflake. Happy Winter!

(Tom Heinitz)