Fair conditions on the manmade loops this afternoon. The new snow is very wet and generally slow. Had to pole my way down Magic Carpet. The DNR went around with the ginzu a few times to pack it down, and it looks like they also set some tracks. There's still enough base to last a while, and it should be better after it cools down and dries out. I saw that the DNR groomed off the manmade loops with the ginzu.

(John McCarthy)

Unbelievably the man made loop lives on. The Piston Bully was out this evening tilling the skate deck and setting a new track. There still is 100% coverage on everything but Beattle's loop. In some areas there is solid ice underneath a thin layer of corduroy. It should be very skiable and any new snow we get would greatly improve things.

(Mark Janis)

Skied Friday and Saturday. Only the 1.7 km loop trail and trails within this loop are skiable. Very slushy Saturday afternoon but skiable - even on my racing skate skis and new skin classic skis.

Photos:

(Christine Grota Merkel)

The Piston Bully was out again Friday night. The skate deck was tilled and is in great condition. The classic track was left as is and is still in good condition. Still full coverage on the man made loop. Hopefully the rain doesn't do too much damage to the trails.

(Mark Janis)

Perfectly groomed trail on the manmade loop. Solid base with firm corduroy on top presented fast but controllable conditions.
They do an awesome job of grooming here! best conditions I've seen all year-get it while it lasts!

Photos:

(Dan Dudley)

The Piston Bully was out Thursday night tilling the skate deck and resting some of the classic tracks. The icy spot going up summer stage was covered with more snow from the trail. That area should ski better now. There are no bare spots on the man made loop just a few easily avoidable icy patches. The Piston Bully will be out grooming if the weather allows. The dnr will continue to groom with the Ginzu as needed.

(Mark Janis)

Excellent conditions for skate and stride on the manmade loops this morning. The Pisten Bully provided a magical corduroy surface that made you feel like you were floating over the snow. Ice spots, debris, puddles - all gone. Summerstage Hill and Magic Carpet - fantastic. Playground Loops - super fun. Thank you, Mark, for bring back great conditions, including new tracks. Get out here today, tomorrow, and Saturday morning early to enjoy spring skiing at its finest.

(John McCarthy)

The Piston Bully was out for what is most likely the last time for the season. A new classic track was set all the way around the man made loop. The skate deck was tilled and leveled. Beattle's loop was tilled and tracked as well. Mark's park was left as is and wasn't tilled. The best conditions will likely be on the outer man made loop. The pond at the bottom of magic carpet was filled in with snow and should be very skiable. The Piston Bully crew would like to thank all the snowmakers and everyone else who made this low snow year possible. See you all next year.

(Mark Janis)

Fair to good conditions for skate on the manmade loops this morning. A soft freeze overnight followed by a grooming with the Ginzu left a slushy (not rutted) surface on a firm to icy base on most segments of the trail. A couple more icy spots have developed, which had not yet softened by noon, due to the cloudy conditions. Summerstage Hill has one good path down - otherwise it is icy. Magic Carpet is very nice, with a mostly soft surface. Best segment is the west-to-east segment of the Woods Loop. And, much to my surprise, I found a 4-inch long salamander walking across the trail. I rescued it.

(John McCarthy)

Fair, variable, conditions for skate on the manmade loops this morning, but not for lack of snow. Soft slush in most places on a firm base, with some firmer spots. Playground loops were nice and clean. Woods Loop has areas with a fair amount of pine tree debris. There is water at the spot in front of the snowcat garage, but it can be easily skied through. I used my ski to cut a trough across the trail through the saturated snow, and it really helped at getting the accumulated water moving off the trail. Tracks are old and soft.

(John McCarthy)