Great skate ski on Birches and Maples today, including Per's loop. Conditions were the best we are going to get, given the texture of the snow. Grooming generally looked good, and while I didn't use them, the classic tracks looked deep and strong, and plenty of others were making their way on them well. A few sections had sides/portions of the trail regroomed, and others just well-used and not regroomed (e.g., b/t 37 and 39, at 107). One other spot, on the east-side connector between Birches and Oaks/rifle range, was just rolled and not corduroy. Per's loop was nicely groomed and in remarkably great shape, with only a couple of spots toward the end, where it is narrower, having iffy sides which presents a challenge to get glide. No real hazards or anything on the trails to speak of, and this is definitely good ski conditions for maximum enjoyment. Many thanks to the groomers!

Photos:

(Pieter DeHart)

Classic skied the Oaks and Birches in variable depth tracks (1/4 to 3/4) in 19 degrees under a clearing sky. Full coverage, soft but picturesque conditions. Note to Skaters: the is a no charge, skating 101 group class being offered at the trailhead Saturday at 8 am. Carpe Skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

The skate lanes on Birches and Maples are flat, wide, moderately compacted and free of debris. They will warrant repeat grooming before the weekend traffic. Fresh classic tracks were present throughout. The Biathlon loop is groomed for the most part and the skate deck is excellent after the exit point of the shooting range. The camp is in excellent shape and groomers did a very good job.

(Jules Blank)

Skating done on Birches, Maples, Biathlon loop and Lighted loop. Approximately 5 inches of new snow have been rolled by the groomers this morning. They were starting to set corduroy. The trails were soft and wide with 100% coverage and no debris. No classic tracks were seen. A vast improvement over the past two days.

Photos:

(Jules Blank)

Took a chance and tried the Oak trail today, despite reports of poor conditions. Luckily, some intrepid classical skier set a track on the oak trail which we followed, it was surprisingly good skiing. At least until we got to the common section with birches, that was groomed but not tracked - always tough going for classical. We saw the groomer out on birches and maples, and we are hoping with the additional 3 inches of snow today they can finally set tracks. Fingers crossed!

(Jim Jerzak)

Birches trail is getting worn and has moderate debris. Maples trail was not surveyed. Biathlon loop is in very good condition although it is a short (1.5k?) trail. Very shallow classic tracks were visible throughout.

(Jules Blank)

Skating done on Maples, Birches, and Lighted Loop. Grooming was done late this morning which markedly improved the skate deck. The trail is narrow (<2m) on Per's loop but essentially full width (approx 4.5m) otherwise. The groomer even set shallow classic tracks on these trails. There was moderate debris and it was a bit sandy on the uphills of Per's loop. The deck is well compacted, generally level and much better than yesterday. Ski selection is a toss-up between rock skis and B skis.

(Jules Blank)

Skating technique done on Birches. Because of large ski traffic, the trails are compacted, glazed over, and have a central crown. Mild amounts of debris. The trails were very slippery so caution is warranted. No classic tracks are visible. Repeat grooming is needed.

(Jules Blank)

Nice afternoon skate ski at Reforestation, and while there were some people out and about the trails seem to be holding up nicely. We skated pines, birches, the connector trails, and a bit of maples. It's fun to be able to skate pines and oaks while the snow is too thin to track for classic. Of note, true to its name pines has some (ahem) pine cones and a couple small branches on the trail, but nothing unavoidable. Also of note, on birches right before Per's loop rejoins (intersection 107), the top of the small hill is a bit bare, so use caution. Again, nothing you can't ski through, but best to use B skis to be safe. All told, the trails are looking well-skied but are holding up, and the groomers have done a fantastic job. A great way to start the new year!

(Pieter DeHart)

Skated the Oaks and the Lit Loop in 17 degrees under a gray sky. Full coverage, some manageable wind degree. Surface is variable from 1/2” powder, to crusty and thin, to rutted up. The base is about 2” well of well compacted snow atop a layer of ice. Carpe Skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)