Temps in the 40's on Saturday barely made a dent in the solid base on the manmade snow loops. Great conditions for skating - a loose layer of granular powdery snow on a solid base - a little icy in spots. A set of double striding tracks around the various loops. Although there are many skiers on the trails, the width of the manmade snow base allows for very comfortable skiing for for everyone from novice to expert.

(John McCarthy)

I had a very nice ski this morning at Lapham Peak! Used my good skis and although a bit slow conditions were well covered with many folks out enjoying the trails today.

(Charlie Ritter)

At 34 degrees (9am), the skiing was very good with a hard packed surface with enough loose snow for edging. Left at 11:30am at 45 degrees and the glide was a little slower but still good and enjoyable. Many skiers were enjoying the spring like conditions for skating and classical.

Photos:

(Don Howell)

Skiers in southeast Wisconsin are so fortunate to have the manmade snow at Lapham. Conditions this morning were as good as it gets. Excellent skate lanes, a double set of striding tracks. No ice. Mild temps, sun, no wind. We'll see what tomorrow brings, but there's sufficient depth of dense, clean manmade snow to last a while.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

Best skating conditions this season. The manmade loop and loop up to magic carpet and down has been spread for 1.2K skiing.
Arrived 9am at 26 degrees and left at 11am at 32 degrees and conditions were still good.

(Don Howell)

A beautiful morning ski on the manmade loops. Whales on the balance of the north loop have been spread, resulting in three interlinked loops (pond, tail end, and north) and about 1.5 km of snow covered and groomed trails. Work was starting on spreading the whales in the "Nordic Playground" area. All trails were freshly groomed for skating, with a flat, firm deck; and a double set of striding tracks was set around the main loop. Very nice. Best time to ski is going to be in the morning, as recognized by the many skiers out enjoying the trail today.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

More of the snowmaking trails were opened for skiing on Tuesday. The pond loop and the tail end-magic carpet loop are in great condition, along with the spur to a turn-around at the maintenance road. Whales of manmade snow cover the remainder of the north loop, waiting to be spread. Conditions for skating were very good, and a striding track - sometimes two - has been set and was in good condition. The "outside" loop is about 1.2 kilometers. Kudos to Beattle and the snowmaking crew for doing such a great job of making and spreading the snow, and to the DNR for the nice grooming!

(John McCarthy)

The initial manmade snow "loop" was in good condition on Monday night. Spreading of the whales of manmade snow on the start trail and Magic Carpet was in process, with snowmaking on-going on the north loop.
The ranger's report from early Tuesday morning indicates that the pond loop and the tail end-magic carpet loop are groomed and ready for skiing.

(John McCarthy)

Much better skating conditions than yesterday. Skiing only can be done on half of manmade sections but big piles on the start hill, magic carpet, north sections may be spread soon.

Photos:

(Don Howell)

A 1.2 kilometer (0.8 mile) "loop" of manmade snow has been groomed and is in good condition. There are four "fingers", each requiring a turn-around, but offering flats, uphills, and downhills that are sure to meet anyone's early season needs. There are 'whales' of manmade snow on almost all of the core snowmaking trails. Great early season skiing in southeast Wisconsin.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)