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.

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(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.

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(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.

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(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.

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(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)

The skate deck at Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was groomed this morning. Classic tracks are unusable at the moment due to thaw/freeze cycles and once snow conditions improve they too will be groomed. Skaters reported fast and fun conditions on the new corduroy.

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(Larry Mishkar)

All the classic tracks were reset - and now range from fair to very good condition, from shallow to a normal set depth - and all skate decks were groomed too. The campground loop was not groomed due to it being in good condition. There are two wobbles in the classic tracks at 7 - 8km on the black diamond due to icy uphills. A good number of skiers were out early before the snow slowed down under the hot sun and reported very good skating conditions. The shaded north aspect trail sections will fare the best, early morning skiing will be best.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)