As Larry (thanks for the awesome grooming!) has advertised Spirit is skiing just great for skate. There is a nice layer of ground up transformed snow on top of a very firm base, not icy at all and very fast! The classic tracks are not much to speak of, I wouldn't try to classic ski out there.

(Matthew Ryan)

The entire skate deck at Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was groomed this afternoon. A skier reported that it was "Really good and fast!" She was stoked to get first tracks behind the ginzu too. Sadly, we didn't have enough soft, workable snow to reset the classic tracks today and they remain shallow, icy and very fast. Cheers!

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(Larry Mishkar)

Wow! I am so pleased to say that the skate trails at spirit are in such good condition considering the weather. After years of inconsistent, poor to non existent grooming Spirit has really taken a great turn of direction. Skating is good with a crumbly good surface that is both quick and controllable. Classic is fair to poor given the hard snow. Campground loop is best.

(John Jereczek)

Classic track conditions range from non-existent to fair. Best tracks go round and round the Campground Loop. Tracks are shiny and icy with no fresh snow to groom new ones. All the skate decks were groomed this afternoon as we were able to scrape a few centimeters from the hard base and turn it into orange peel or some slightly respectable corduroy. Brushing and the installation of new signage also took place. More and more organic matter is appearing on the trails, some from the wind, others from the active woodpeckers. More snow please....Cheers!

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(Larry Mishkar)

Great conditions on the skate deck. The grooming is still perfect despite yesterday’s warm weather.

(Dan Wolbrink)

Despite all the warm melty weather, trails at upper Spirit were amazing - fast, not at all soft, and perfectly groomed. Get out while it lasts!

(Mari Hardel)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was skate deck groomed this morning. Snow temps at 7a.m. were 21F/-6C, and 32F/0C once grooming was completed at noon. The classic track condition ranges from non-existent to good and are very icy. Tracks will be reset later tonight once snow and air temps decline enough to hold a new set. Reminder: Dogs are not allowed on any Upper Spirit trails. Other city trails allow dogs but not Upper Spirit. Signs by the parking lot and chalet indicate this. Wildlife sightings are abundant, including this porcupine near the warming hut. Cheers.

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(Larry Mishkar)

To stay ahead of this warm weekend weather we groomed from 3 - 8a.m. this morning while the air temps were at or below 27F, and snow temp was at 20F. Here is what we did: All skate decks were refreshed. They are very firm with a soft top from grooming. The classic tracks on the 3K loop were fully reset. All other tracks are in good to excellent condition. There are a few spots at about 3.8K on the 5K loop, and at about 6K on the black diamond loop where the tracks wobble a bit due to icy conditions or very hard snow pack disrupting the flow of the ginzu. This will keep you on your toes! We will continue to stay ahead of these warm days and cold nights with light grooming, hoping to keep the trails in good skiing condition. Cheers.

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(Larry Mishkar)

Upper Spirit trails are excellent for skate and classic. Clear skies and relatively warm with a southwest wind today. A firm, deep base and clean surface. I finished skiing at the same time Larry finished grooming. He had been out most of the day and his work resulted in a beautiful skate deck on all trails. He also reset the classic track, which was good to excellent. A few spots were shallow and some a bit wobbly, but all were firm. Warm temps predicted this weekend, the best skiing will be in the mornings. Thanks Larry.

(Todd Campbell)

Good evening. Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic trails were corded and tracked today. Air temp at 5 p.m. was 35F/1.6C. Drifting and flat spots in the classic tracks were fixed. There are some wiggly stretches near the 6km marker on the black diamond trail due to icy spots that neither the sled nor ginzu run well over. Daytime temps forecast to be above freezing through the weekend so more overnight grooming will take place to keep the skate deck for skiers and not ice skaters. Cheers.

Photos:

(Larry Mishkar)