The core manmade loops are in very good condition, with multiple tracks set for striding. Two out-and-back segments of the new "into the woods" trails were opened to skiing today. The segments add about 1/2 kilometer in trail length. A full outside loop with the two new segments is about 2.2 kilometers. There are many permutations of trail segments available, with plenty of manmade snow. Pictures are from the new segments opened today.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

The new added sections on the manmade were great and added variation instead of skiing the same loop. The climb up tail end hill was groomed for good climbing and long decent on the magic carpet was fast with enough edging for control. Thanks to the groomers and those who continue to provide donations for the snowmaking that makes this skiing possible with the absence of real snow.

(Don Howell)

This morning at 8 AM conditions on the man-made snow loops at Lapham are superb! The new 0.5K spur from Summer Stage to the bottom of Two Tier has one track set on each side of the out and back. The spur up Magic Carpet is now groomed also - no track on this shorter spur. All man-made snow covered trails have a great skate deck and nice tracks (some 2 abreast). Come and enjoy deep snow in this oasis of Winter Paradise! Many Thanks to volunteer Snow gun and Snow cat operators and DNR staff.

Photos:

(Anne Riendl)

The new snow has been spread at Lapham and some of the best skiing of the year will be had over the next period of days. Track was well set and very firm. It was very tempting to turn right at the top of first Summerstage climb and as of Wednesday morning you will be able to do just that! Enjoy the new additions to the loop and good training to all!

(Charlie Ritter)

Excellent conditions on the manmade snow loops this morning. The trails were a beehive of activity, with lessons by the Lapham Peak Ski club, snowmaking volunteers and DNR staff working on various snowmaking tasks, and the snowcat out on the trail south of Summerstage Hill doing the final leveling of the snow whales. The current trail surface is a several inch layer of snow over a firm base -- great for skating and striding. Tracks - sometimes double - have been set around the various loops. The climb up Tail End is back in good shape. Some of the best conditions of the season.

(John McCarthy)

The core snowmaking loops were in good condition this morning. Only a small amount of grooming had been done, as the plan is for the snowcat to level the piles of manmade snow from last week. That work was in process when I left. The trail surface has improved significantly from early last week, and is much more snow-like than the crushed ice we had after the rain and warm temps. There was a track left over from the weekend. I expect a new track will be set after the snowcat work is done and the trail is groomed.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

Skied the man made loop today. That's the only snow there is around here! They spread new snow over the trail and it is in very good shape. Used my good skis. They have snow on the newest extension of the trail but it's not open yet as ice and snow chunks are falling out of the trees where they had the snow guns. Would have loved some of that snow they got south of here but this will have to do. Great job groomers!

Photos:

(Tom Davenport)

ski conditions were ok. There was a 50 yard section at the top of summer stage hill that had 4" sugar snow that required lifting ski when skating which is good practice for the Birkie later waves with the deep mush on the hill climbs. The only icy area was the sharp right turn up to magic carpet. The magic had also deep sugar snow. Most of my laps were on the 1.1k loop which had good glide and edging and enjoyable.

(Don Howell)

The manmade snow loops improved through the day, today, after the tilling and grooming and especially this evening with the skier-grooming. The skate surface is essentially crushed ice that will get rounder and finer with more grooming. The tracks seemed firm but icy and fast. You should expect to ski through ongoing snowmaking operations on the core loops. You can also expect that it won't be long before we're skiing on the new manmade snow through the woods. Stay tuned.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

The man-made ski loop was groomed this morning, after rain most of yesterday. The entire trail is still snow covered, however there are some icy areas and the trail is quite dirty with leaves, needles and soil. We were able to break up the icy crust and make it skiable. The conditions could be considered poor, but the entire trail is skiable. No track was set. The trail will be groomed again tonight. Lights will be on until 9:00 pm. Snowmaking will resume Wednesday to build up thin areas and complete the loop through the woods.

(Anne Korman)