Vasa Hills Loop was in pretty decent shape -- we skied behind Coach while he was refreshing the skate deck on Vasa and the Lake Trail / Lake Return and I thought the conditions were enjoyable. First picture represents about 80% of the Vasa Hills loop -- some down debris but not much else to complain about. Second photo shows some of the crustier spots out on the trails, about 15-20%, but still skiable. Be advised that there is a bare spot on The Berm as you approach the sign near Marshmallow Hill (third photo) where I unclipped and walked. There is also a stretch of ice on The Diagonal near the end of the pine trees that run straight north from the Nordic Center, where it is not possible to skate (but we were able to double pole carefully). Overall though I was pleased and glad to still be skiing! 10F, clear, 10-15mph wind that was reduced in the trees.

Photos:

(Eric Lehnhardt)

Mora missed much of the snow received in Minneapolis and Duluth from the storm Wednesday. There was some rain which then turned to about 1"-2" of snow. The trail has not been groomed since. This has left a good/solid ice base with a crust you can get an edge into on top for skating. Overall, the trail was in relatively good condition. The section from the Nordic Center through the pines has some pretty heavy pine needle debris, but don't let that deter you. I did an 8km loop and would say 90% was in good, skiable condition. Of the remaining, there were a few icy stretches, a few areas with heavy organic debris, and a few very short areas facing the sun where a touch of dirt was visible. While classic tracks were visible, they had lost much of their structure in many areas.

(Jim Conway)

Spring skiing in Mora! The trails are in surprisingly good shape. It is icy in front of the Nordic Center but once you get going the conditions are very good. The classic tracks are still in good shape as well.

(Phoebe Miron Kroll)

You just know that a trail called "The Bowling Alley" is going to be fun. I hadn't skied Mora in years. My loss. What a fun trail system! Although hard-packed and a bit frozen I was able to get a good edge throughout and had no problem on either the assents or the descents, which is somewhat due to the trails being fairly easy. It's such a well laid out trail system. I misread the map a couple of times which only added to the enjoyment since it lengthened my time on snow- and my enjoyment! It was slowing down just a tiny bit as I skied into the early afternoon, but the snow cover is great throughout the system, for skating as well as classic.

Photos:

(Michael Jorgensen)

Approximately 13K of trails and miscellaneous additional segments of the race course continue to be very skiable. A few spots with forest debris, but nothing worth skipping any segments. The classic tracks are deep and firm. The skating deck is compact with enough scratched up for good control.

Photos:

(Jeff Pesta)

10km of trail was groomed for both skate and classic. Snow conditions after a fantastic race weekend remain good with a total of 13km available for skiing. The Nordic Center is open 8am to 9pm daily.

Photos:

(Jim Conway)

It was a lovely day at the Vasaloppet Nordic Center with balmy temperatures between 10 and 20 and mostly blue skies. I did the 17 K loop three times and had it nearly to myself on the first lap. On the second lap I was passed by throngs of hot shots, five or seven of them at a time, in lines as if drafting each other. It seems there was a race or something going on. Then they were gone and I had the trail nearly to myself again for the third lap. Overall, it was a very enjoyable ski. The skate deck was mostly firm and smooth, with only a little sugar on the up-hills after the racers went through. Classic tracks looked great too! Best of all, at various points around the loop there were friendly people offering me blueberry drink and telling me that I looked good. Thanks to the wonderful people of Mora for their first-rate hospitality!

(Lois Braun)

Classic skied all the trails from the Nordic Center. It seemed it was mostly all natural snow. One classic track set was pretty solid but shallow in most places. Some thin spots and tree debris but overall was a great ski. Temps were below freezing until about 1pm, about 37 degrees when we left at 3pm and snow was starting to get soft.

(Tim Nelson)

Skated laps on the Vasa Hills and Lake loops. Good trail coverage generally throughout, but did spot occasional thin spots. The skate deck is firm and varies from scraped-down hard pack (skis slipped on push and directional ski stability was somewhat compromised) to a couple inches of loose snow (reduced glide). There is also some equipment damage here and there, as the groomers are moving snow onto the trails, but is relatively easy to avoid. Very few skiers out, so it was pretty easy to use the full trail width to minimize time on the hardpack and in the loose snow, making for very nice skiing.

(David Sonnenberg)

Skied the full 13k system under overcast skies and 27F temperatures. The trails are in excellent condition with full coverage and no thin or icy spots. The skate deck remains firm and fast. The classic tracks are all set and free from debris. The trail overall seems very well prepared for the Vasaloppet!

(Derek Johnstone)