Only the CG, 3 & 5K loops were groomed again - loops required four passes instead of two to scrub the ruts from yesterday and leave some decent corduroy throughout. The 11K is icy and a few souls have been out on it. Small twigs are here and there on the groomed trail and larger branches have been removed. No rocks nor dirt though.

(Larry Mishkar)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was skate deck groomed by 8 a.m. Due to blown down trees, limbs and branches only the CG, 3 & 5K loops were groomed...loops took a wee bit longer to clear up and required four passes instead of two to break up the overnight crust. The corduroy is decent throughout. The McD Loop and back 11K are icy and dimpled. In spots there are many twigs on the trail, so perhaps it is B ski season? No rocks nor dirt though. Freshly groomed top is soft-ish with that solid 2-foot base still supporting our cause. Go ski!

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(Larry Mishkar)

All of Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic (minus the McDonald's Loop) is freshly skate ski groomed. McD is still very good and watch for the caution tape denoting a rotted-snow downhill. A few earthy spots dot the trail system along with organic matter here and there. The crust skiing is excellent right now. Currently dense cold fog envelopes the train system. Cheers.

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(Larry Mishkar)

Upper Spirit Mountain Nordic was just groomed for skaters by 7:30a.m. There are four small spots around the system where the earth shows through and are easily avoided. The last steep downhill on the McDonald's Loop has caution tape across it at the top - that downhill trail is narrow and thinly covered with corn snow - ski at own risk - while the remaining McD Loop is fab. Base is firm - cord is dirty with some organic matter. Air temperature was grooming was 31F.

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(Larry Mishkar)

All trails were skate deck groomed by 8a.m. The cord is firm now and the base very hard. Enjoy before the warm afternoon of 42F softens up the base.

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(Larry Mishkar)

All trails were groomed double wide while the back 11k loop was groomed in a single pass up the middle to remove the icy glaze and fill the ruts. The corduroy should set up nicely overnight. The base remains firm throughout the trail system. On Sunday skiing should be very good until temperatures rise above 32F and the trails soften.

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(Larry Mishkar)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for keeping this trail open and groomed. I had a thoroughly enjoyable midday ski. The trail was mixed, ranging from firm to crusty to soft and a bit rutted in spots, but everything was eminently skiable. Overall, I'd say the conditions were very good. No classic tracks.

(Fritz Anderson)

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.

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(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.

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(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)