It was a pleasure to ski in freshly groomed classic tracks this morning. Thanks to the groomers for all their hard work. At 10:30 am, they had finished the 6k, but the 8k was ungroomed. Please be considerate of the soft classic track and step out onto the skate lane if you're herringboning on the uphills. Also, no dogs on soft trails (take them backcountry skiing!) Enjoy the trail!

(Elaine Nelson, Skinnyski.com Race Team)

A great day to groom, so we pressed-on and compacted, groomed, and set a new classic track on the 8K. Thus everything has been groomed and tracked. Despite 10 runs with the Ginzus, the untransformed snow remains soft, and the tracks vulnerable. So, no dogs on the trails today, or Monday. We are open 8-8 all week.

Photos:

(John Graham)

We had 4-5” of fresh powder yesterday and overnight. At this time, we have compacted the 6K, groomed the skate deck, and set a new classic track. The untransitioned snow remains soft, and the track is fragile. For that reason, and with the temp at 32, we are “No Dogs” today. We are now heading onto the 8K trail and will begin by compacting and skate-grooming the Perimeter Loop. Time permitting, we will then set a classic track on the PL.

(John Graham)

Following a fine day of high school racing, tonight we regroomed all trails. The 6K skate deck saw heavy use during the race, but groomed-up very firm, flat, and fast. The classic track is iron-hard and well-formed. Portions of the 8K were set with “best line” classic tracks for the race. We ripped them out, regroomed the skate deck, and set a new classic track on the four kilometers of trail effected by the race. Classic skiers on the 8K will find about 4 km of less-firm new track, and 4 km of hard, well-formed old track, which we did not want to replace. Due to the chalet closure, rental equipment is not available.

Photos:

(John Graham)

All skate decks were groomed this morning. Firm and flat, very nice. Classic tracks set on Sunday have firmed-up nicely, and are in great shape. Snowflake will be closed from 6 pm on Wednesday until about 5 pm Thursday as we prepare for and host a high school race on Thursday.

Photos:

(John Graham)

3-4” of new powder overnight! All trails were compacted and groomed this morning. Skate decks are clean, smooth, but soft despite multiple Ginzu runs. Forecast temps mean that transforming the snow will take a while. New classic tracks were set on both the 6 and 8K trails. They look good , but are fragile until they set-up.
We are hosting a High School ski meet on Thursday: trails will close at 6 pm on Wednesday, for course prep, and be closed all day Thursday until the end of the meet (5 pm).

Photos:

(John Graham)

Frigid morning, so we began grooming all skate decks at noon. Decks are firm, and shallow knives yielded a smooth, fast surface. Some debris, mainly small leaves, in the classic tracks. The 6K classic track is iron-hard and in very good shape. The 8K track, set Wednesday, is firm. Activity today was pretty low, so today’s grooming will get us through Saturday, and our next grooming will be on Sunday. One problem this week is dog poop on the trails, and dogs not in company with their owners: a reminder that only members may bring their dogs to Snowflake, and owners must keep their dog with them, out of the classic tracks, and pick-up after them. Protect your privilege, or lose it.

Photos:

(John Graham)

The 6K and 8K were skate-groomed this morning: firm and flat, with thin corduroy. We set a new classic track on the 8K, from the Pulse Loop U-turn to the 8K finish. The track is well formed, but soft, so skaters need to avoid skiing into it, and classic skiers are encouraged to ski it in.

(John Graham)

Skied 6k and biathlon loop twice. Tracks had a little fresh snow. Kick was good with Ski Go blue. Skate deck was being re-groomed as we were skiing. Great coverage and not at icy. One of my best classic skis this season. John and crew deserve kudos for doing the most with what snow we get.

Photos:

(Mary Luoma)

All skate decks were groomed this morning. They are beautiful. The 6K Classic track has improved with use. It is excellent. The 8K classic track is not beautiful, but is very skiable, and will improve with some use. We will reset it when the temps warm up.

Photos:

(John Graham)