Washburn didn't escape the break down gremlin that visited us this week. Our Gator went down on Monday and is occupying space on Judy's loop. It won't be until Monday before we can get a house call for repairs. This left us having to improvise with our grooming. As it stands now, the Dump Loop and Judy's loop are not groomed. The rest of the trail system is groomed for both classic and skate skiers. Grooming plans: There will be no grooming tomorrow, but we will brush the deck on Friday. There will be no clean up with the classic tracks at this time (snowmobile-groomer compatibility). Hope to be back to full mechanical strength next week.

(Dennis Zielinski)

Skiable but lots of sticks and debris. It needs more snow and logging in this area has left some areas more prone to melting. Use rock skis.

(Dave Grace)

It has been years and years since I've been on the Washburn ski trails. Feeling quite blessed that I can be on a set of skis, I decided to swing by washburn. Yesterday was quite warm in the base was very firm very fast and a little iced over but the grooming was fantastic and it seems like there's more and more trails than I remembered from years ago. The hills are still just as big and the workout is just as great. Be thankful, be grateful, you don't know what you have until it could be gone.

(Stacey Dean)

A great day to ski. So nice to ski here before Christmas. Can ski a solid 10k and avoiding the larger hills. 20 k including them. Classic tracks were set and skate deck in great shape. Soft in a few areas.

Photos:

(Cheryl Corbeille)

I skied around 10k of classic. For the most part it was OK, but there were several spots where dirt/rock were hiding under a light cap of snow. I heard the dreaded scraping of Ptex a few times. For that reason I'd recommend B skis. There is certainly enough good track set, and no reason to avoid the trail system, just be aware of some early season hazards. The skate deck was about in the same shape, and when I stepped out a few times to snowplow or herringbone it was soft. I also saw the groomer go by as I was leaving, adding to my confidence that the skate surface will improve.

(Pete Wurl)

What a pleasant surprise, Mother Nature gifted us with 3+ inches this morning. With that said, our groomers were able to get out and groom and set tracks. Compared to the past few years, we're really early with the classic tracks. Coler weather should help the deck and track to firm up nicely.

(Dennis Zielinski)

We received about 6-8 inches of snow since Nov 26. This snow was light, fluffy, with not much structure. Began working on the base today by rolling the trails. The deck is thin, and not much to brag about. What snow is there may firm up with colder temperatures. If you ski at Washburn, modify your expectations, and use those rock skis.

(Dennis Zielinski)