We groomed the 6K and 8K skate decks this morning, adding last night’s 1/2” of powder to our base. The 6K is excellent, the 8K a bit softer as it’s seen less use and grooming. Very nice, though. The 6K classic track is well skied-in, has firmed-up, and in very good shape. The 8K track, set Tuesday, has seen little use; it has a 1/2” cover of fresh powder, but underneath it is solid and well-formed. The Ice Oval is now safe for equipment, so we compacted and groomed it yesterday, and set track today. Grooming plans: Our next skate grooming will be Saturday morning. Snowflake KidSki will happen at 1:30 on Sunday. 100+ students and coaches will be active on the Sledding Hill, soccer field, Ice Oval, Kiddie Loop, and 5K. Rentals will be limited and slow between 1:30-3:30. We’re open and lights-on until 8 pm every day.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Today we regroomed the 6K skate deck, with Ginzu knives a bit down: resulting deck is smoother, and the dips are filling-in. Due to higher use and more frequent grooming the 6K base is more transformed, thus firmer. We then groomed the 8K deck, which groomed beautifully, but is less transformed snow, thus softer. Warmer temps and sunshine will accelerate the trails firming-up. We ripped out the well-used track on the 6K and set a new classic track. Nice look, but needs to be skied-in, and kept dog-free til it firms-up. We then set a lovely classic track on the 8K; softer snow out there, so it needs to be skied-in and allowed to firm-up. I did note several segments of both trails that had a lot of small leaves. They are unattractive, but won’t damage good skis. Finally, we packed the Ice Oval (finally safe for our sleds and Ginzus) then skate groomed it. A good day of/for grooming! Everything is open and freshly groomed. Too busy to take pics. Member dog-owners, please ski the left or center of the trails to allow our classic skiers to enjoy a good track.

(John Graham)

The 6K skate deck was got three Ginzu passes this morning and is firming-up faster than expected. Nice. The 6K classic track firmed-up overnight and looks good. Our focus today was compacting and grooming the 8K. Slow-going due deep, soft snow. A few “opportunities” to winch ourselves out, but the 8K is now skate groomed, and looking good (photo). Grooming plans: We will set a classic track as the trailsides transform and firm-up, but classic skiers are welcome to ski either side. KidSki begins Sunday, 1:30-3:30. Limited rentals and masks required in the chalet during that time.

Photos:

(John Graham)

The Wednesday snow brought 5-6” of dry powder. With our base still soft from last week’s 16”, we began compacting during the storm, and made multiple Ginzu passes as the snow eased. The 6K is now groomed with a soft skate deck and a new classic track (pictures). The 8K was compacted but not groomed today. Better for back-country classic than skating, due to sled tracks and blown drifts. Grooming plans: We will regroom the 6K deck on Thursday, and skate groom the 8K. If the cold doesn’t deter us, we will also set track on the 8K. Be warned that Snowflake KidSki begins on Sunday, 9 Jan, between 1:30-3:30. Ski rentals will be difficult during that time, and our parking lots will be crowded. The chalet area and 6K will be busy with 75 young skiers, plus coaches and parents. Facemasks will be required inside the chalet during that time.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Good, fast ski at Snowflake this afternoon. Skied lower loops and part of 8k. Classic tracks were firm and fast, not laid yet on early part of 8k that I accessed. My ski landed in dog poo near Pine Grove but thank goodness for frozen water everywhere to clean with! :P Skate deck was packed, deep.

(Javariah Asghar)

Classic skied the entire system. As stated, the 8 K loop was not tracked but there was a well-packed base. Base was nice and firm with this cold weather. 5K + special K tracks were still in good shape. We had the 8 K all to ourselves - it seems like the superior of the two loops for skating.

(Sara Zimmer)

Classic skied Jane's 5K plus Special 1K. Tracks solid, well used, and firm. Great snow coverage. Skate deck solid and well used. Good to see a lot of usage at Snowflake.

Photos:

(Ken Kuznia)

The 6K is groomed for skate and classic skiing. The base is transforming, and firmer each day. I skied the classic track last night and despite lots of use, it was in excellent condition and beautifully laid. The skate deck is well used, but in good shape. We will clean it up on Monday morning. Lots of work on the 8K yesterday, and it is now groomed for skating. Predictably soft, but excellent. Classic skiers may ski the right or left side of the 8K until we set a track next week. The 1M lighted loop was a delight to ski last night. Scheduling: Due to frigid forecast temps on Saturday and Sunday, the main floor of the chalet will be closed, and no rentals will be available. Yes, we are discouraging novice skiers from going out in dangerous temps. The basement door will remain open for members who decide to ski anyway, and need a place to dress or thaw-out. We are open til 8 pm tonight, and will be open 8-8 all next week. Happy New Year!

(John Graham)

Finally, I can recommend “Good Skis”! Our trails picked-up another 4-5” of powder yesterday. This morning we compacted the 6K, groomed a skate deck, and set a new classic track. Trails are smooth and wide, the base is soft and will remain soft as the snow won’t transform quickly in these cold temps. The classic track is beautiful, but soft, and will improve as it is skied-in. The 8K has 4” of powder over the base that we compacted and groomed yesterday -- no grooming there today, as the crew were frozen after doing the 6K. The 8K is open to those wanting a backcountry experience, and we’ll work on it tomorrow. Rentals will be available 10-5 on Thursday, and 9-5 on Friday.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Did the 6k loop a couple of times during a fairly heavy snowfall. Skate deck had about 2” of soft snow on a solid base. Very skateable and fun. Classic track was set and appeared to be in good shape. Many smiles on the trail. Thanks John and Jim and any others who packed and groomed.

(Gordon Mesedahl)