We regroomed the skate decks on all trails this morning. It's a firm base, but the sunshine and warm temps are softening the top inch or so. We reset classic track in two segments that had been ruined by a crashed skier and a large dog. The rest of the track is still well-formed, but softening in the sun. I then classic skied the entire system and found the track solid and very nice to ski. Planting the right pole on some segments is still soft/deep, but 99% of the trail gave me a solid plant. The track has also held up in most of the curves, with few washouts. With the weather for the next few days, it will be challenging to improve the trail conditions. For now, members who ski with dogs are requested to stay on the 5K trail, which is easier to repair, and keep the dogs out of the classic track.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Beautiful conditions for grooming today. This compacted, deep base is perfect for leveling bumps and smoothing thedeck with the Ginzus. Today we regroomed the skate deck on all 14K of our trails. The deck is smooth, firm, fast. And we pushed the left side out to it's limit. The classic track set on Monday, on all trails, has been nicely skied-in, and kept it's structure; we reset a couple of worn segments plus the Bi Loop bypass, but didn't tamper with the very nice 99%. The Kiddie Loop, at the bottom of the Sledding Hill was regroomed with a classic track right down the middle: this is a Classic Only trail for youngsters. The Oval is closed due to unsafe ice under the snow. We are still accepting KidSki registrations. Snowflake will be open 8 am - 8 pm Sat - Tuesday Dec 24. Open noon - 8 pm on Christmas day. Remember, we do not take plastic or digital payments and only Season Pass member may bring dogs.

Photos:

(John Graham)

All trails were regroomed with the Ginzus this morning, a new classic track was set on the 5K and SpecialK, and a classic track was set on the 8K. The 5K is a solid deck now, and "right pole plant" on the classic track is more solid. The 8K deck is a bit softer, particularly on the sides of the trail. The Perimeter Loop is groomed skate and classic, except for a the 100m section where it departs the 10K direct to Anders Alley: we are still trying to figure an efficient way to set track there during grooming.

(John Graham)

The 8km loop is in nice shape. There was a little new snow over yesterday's grooming which felt much faster than the 5km loop's fresh corduroy. It was fast and free skating with a well-packed base. Thanks for the huge grooming effort in getting that loop opened up!

(Bruce Bauer)

All Snowflake trails are now opened and groomed. The 5k/SpecialK are groomed classic and skate. Firm base, with some new snow on top. If you ski both, as groomed, it is exactly 6K. The 8K was finally groomed, Skate-only, with the Ginzus today. 30" of snow, compacted by many runs. It is still a soft deck, but flat and beautiful. Classic skiers may ski the right side; we did not set track because of the soft conditions and falling snow. The Perimeter Loop is open, but only groomed skate on the 8K segments.
Skiers are reminded that our trails are One-Way trails! The classic track should always be on trail-right, and signage should Lways be facing you. Also, dogs are only permitted with Season Pass members, and must be under control at all times.

Photos:

(John Graham)

6" of powdery snow blanketed our trails today, which forced us to regroom the 5K system, twice, and set a new classic track, instead of working to groom the 8K system. A lot of classic skiers in the afternoon put needed use on the new track, which should freeze-up nicely overnight. Skaters reported a soft surface over a very firm deck. Grooming plans: Tomorrow we will put 3 groomers on the Perimeter and 8K, then regroom the 5K deck in the afternoon.

(John Graham)

Today we hosted the Proctor HS Ski Meet. More than 300 Northland ski racers kicked off their race season, and gave our 5K trail a good workout. While they raced, we spent 6 hours compacting the 8K trail. That trail is now skate groomed with the roller/compactor. Soft, but skiable. The Perimeter Loop is open, firm, and skate groomed. Classic skiers welcome to ski both. After the race, we regroomed the 5K skate deck and set a new classic track. Beautiful. Our goal is to finish all trails with the Ginzu and set classic tracks on the 8K by Thursday afternoon. Photos are of the freshly regroomed 5K, and compactor groomed 8K.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Snowflake is closed today, as we recover from the latest snow dump, and groom the trails for the Proctor HS Ski Race. We will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, until the Proctor HS race ends, at about 5:00 pm. We will then be open until 8:00 pm.

(John Graham)

The 5K, SpecialK, and a 1.5 K loop, beginning and ending at the powerline Perimeter Loop cut-thru are groomed for skate and classic. The deck was regroomed this morning; the track is well-shaped and firm, except for the Biathlon Loop. This morning we compacted and opened the remaining 10K segments of the Perimeter Loop. It was groomed with the roller/compactor, is smooth but soft, and only groomed for skating from the 10K start (Shovel Hill). Classic skiers may ski the right side. Grooming plans: The remaining segments of the 10K will be opened on Monday/Tuesday, as the groomers and machines will be resting tomorrow.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Today we compacted and groomed the "new" Biathlon Loop, which circles the Biathlon range, and adds about 1/2K to the 5K trail. We will be grooming this loop as a regular section of the 5K. Skiers may bypass this loop on the existing trail, which we will continue to groom. Skiing this reimagined 5K + Special K will now equal about 6K. I will update the distance markers once we finish opening all of the trails, but the existing "direction" signage reflects this change and is accurate. Today we also compacted and groomed the East Nordic "Sprint Loop", which uses portions of the 10K. It may be accessed from the 10K Start. Just follow the grooming, skate and classic. We also opened and skate-groomed the 10K loop section which includes Pulse and Pine Grove: a long climb and a long downhill. This may be accessed from the 10K Start or, from the 10K Sprint loop. Finally, we opened and compacted the KidSki loop, accessed at the bottom of the sledding hill. This is a short, classic-only loop for children. All open trails were regroomed for skating today, The classic track looks used, but improving with use.

(John Graham)