All trails were groomed this morning. What to expect: happy smiling skiers; bluebird skies; warm temps at 30F; soft skate deck top on south facing trails; firm and crusty trails for those not facing south; a firm base throughout. Next groom with be late Saturday night to prep for Sunday. Parking: Please park in front of the gate and along our entrance drive off Skyline Parkway. The shoulder of Skyline is a No Parking Zone. We have room for 6-8 cars at one time by the gate.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Wow! Arrived right around 11:00 and Larry had just finished grooming the campground and was headed out to the rest of the trails. Condition were absolutely beautiful, fresh grooming, fast glide, and sunshine. A huge thanks to Larry for providing an oasis this late into March. If you need a place to ski today, and escape the craziness of our current time period head out to Spirit, you won’t be disappointed. And if you see Larry tell him many thanks, he is providing the best grooming upper Spirit has seen in a many years.

Photos:

(Sam Olson)

UPDATE: Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic trails will remain open and groomed for "health and well being" after it was announced earlier today they were closing due to COVID-19. The steel gate at the Skyline Drive entrance and the Chalet will still be closed and locked at 4 p.m. today. Parking: Do not part on Skyline Drive as this is a No Parking Zone. *Ski at your own risk* Cheers!

(Larry Mishkar)

The CG, 3K and McD Loops were skate deck groomed this afternoon to level them off and flatten the ruts. The remaining loops are in good condition with a firm base and soft top. Skiers report a lot of great spring skiing. Watch for caution tape at culverts due to narrowing trails at stream crossings. Air temp was 34F with light mist falling at 3 p.m.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

30 F and overcast, sprinkling instead of snowing. The groomer was working as I skied. No classic track. The skate deck was soft after grooming, hard-ish with a little leftover snow from Monday.

(Louise Levy)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was groomed tonight - call it "rut removal patrol." The back 11K segment was groomed double wide too, as warm temps softened the deck and made for some nice corduroy. The McD loop was not groomed and remains in good condition despite the lack of grooming and skiers running their dogs. At various creek crossings the trail becomes very narrow and flagging tape was placed where needed to guide you. The next planned grooming is Wednesday/Thursday. Upper Spirit has a "no dogs on ski trails" rule. Please respect this. Thank you and cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was skate deck groomed tonight by 9pm. The CG, 3 and 5K loops were groomed double wide where a firm base allowed and the few remaining deep ruts were scrubbed and corded over. The skate deck corduroy is orange peel with some nice cord too. McDonald's loop and the remaining 11K were not groomed and remain icy; however Magney was groomed today so there are plenty of kms within reach. Cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

The CG, 3 & 5K trail skate decks were all groomed double wide where a firm base allowed. There are soft stretches where trails face the sun without tree cover. Otherwise trails were in good to excellent condition. McDonald's loop and the remaining 11K were not groomed at this time. We hope to groom the back 11K soon. Tracks will be set if snow and temperature conditions allow. Cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic looks like this: 1 inch of soft corn snow atop a solid base. Air temp at noon was 41F. Rain and snow are in the 24hr. forecast. Depending on how that affects the trails, some loops might be groomed for skating late Thursday. Classic tracks where they exist are extremely shallow. Cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)

Spring skiing is here. Tonight the CG and 3K loops were groomed for skate skiing. The ski trails are narrower than usual due to the base edge melting away and thus the skate deck is a bit narrower too. The remaining trails were not groomed and are skate skiable. Classic ski tracks are non-existent at the moment due to melting snow. One skater reported good skiing overall but a soft skate deck on south facing trail sections. If snow falls and temps drop all efforts will be made to track and keep the deck as wide as possible. Until then...Cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)