In 65 years of skiing, I don't think I have skied blue wax classic on March 31, and then had a half dozen robins in the trees by my car when I left. 28 F from just before 10 to just before noon when I skied. Jim had just finished setting the classic track on the 6 km loop, so it was fresh, but very good for at least 90% of the trail, a bit washed out in rare places. In some places the icy surface beneath yesterday's new snow showed through in the tracks, but always a sufficient amount of the new snow for good control, and plenty of kick. Lots of skaters out as well, and they were having fun!

(Tim Holst)

Great skating on the 6k and much of the 8k loop. The groomed portion of the 8k was excellent and a bit firmer than the 6k, which was still a bit soft. Classic track on the 6k was not yet set as of 7:30 this morning.

(Tom MacDonald)

We had 2-3" of damp snow atop some rain overnight. This morning we compacted the new snow and groomed skate decks on the 6K and about 5 km of the 8K. It needs to set-up overnight. The 6K classic track is visible under snow, but we will set a new track Thursday morning, when it is sub-freezing. There is no set track on the 8K, but I left snow on the right side in case someone wants to ski-in a track. The groomed portions of the 8K begin at the 8K Trailhead: just follow the grooming and it will bring you back to the normal 8K finish. We are closed the rest of today, and will re-open Spring Hours / no dogs on Thursday morning. Present and forecast temps look like we are nearing the end of a good season!

Photos:

(John Graham)

The skate deck at snowflake was unbelievably fantastic! Kudos to Jim and John to keep snowflake skiable. Classic track appeared icy but skating was wonderful!

(Joe Medlin)

First time at Snowflake. Really want to come back under better conditions. As it was, groomed track was solid ice, so I decided to try skating for the first time with mild success. Did the 5K loop and was grateful when I reached the end with some of my pride intact. Experienced skate skiers looked like they were having a blast. I, on the other hand, found it too slippery and took a couple of hard spills. One involving a face plant that I'm surprised didn't turn into a black eye. This probably says more about me than the trails, but if you enjoy fast skating, this may have been a good day for you.

(Dawn Mikkelson)

Snowflake has full coverage even on the typical areas that would have some grass peeking through by now. We classic skied the 6k at Snowflake. The skate deck was great, fast, and fresh. The classic tracks were a double pole derby for 90 % of it. I'd say 98% of the tracks were debris free and intact too...when double poling on ice and hitting debris it tends to make more of an impact than when skiing on soft snow and hitting them.

(Eve Graves)

Awesome skiing at Snowflake today! 6K is good for skating and classic. Classic track is a bit icy so maybe used sister or your skins. 8K is really good for skating. Thanks so much to the groomers!

(Bruce Busta)

Still 100% coverage and a deep base! This morning we groomed the 6K skate deck, three passes with a little knife, and it is pretty nice. The 6K classic track is rock-solid and the icy glaze should soften by mid morning. After that I used the Perimeter Loop cut-thru at the 2K marker to get on the 8K and skate groomed about 4 km of the 8K trail. Follow the grooming and you'll finish-up on the 8K return segment to the trailhead! We are open til 9pm. No dogs, please.

Photos:

(John Graham)

I skated the 6km loop late afternoon and found it in excellent condition. It is chopped up enough on the surface to give glide stability but the base remained firm enough to keep your ski/pole from sinking. A few south facing slopes are softening but the one bare patch by the exit of the 6k is the only one on the entire trail. Thanks for keeping the trail in spectacular shape! Snowflake seems to always be the best trail to ski in Duluth this time of year.

(Chandra Shoberg)

Groomed! It was great skiing this morning and afternoon. Conditions should be very nice again Sunday when the sun gets out. Thanks so much for keeping the season going as long as there is good snow!

(Bruce Bauer)