I used fish scale skis to be safe/not ruin good skis and I made a good decision. It was hard packed but I was able to get a slow ski in for the day. There is debris in the tracks scattered in spots throughout, but with rock/b-skies, it is doable. I observed a few people on the skate deck but cannot speak to their experience. It was hard and crusty when I stepped up there to check it out. If nothing else, we have a good solid base for the next snowfall which will hopefully come soon and you can ski if you're determined. Like others said, it might be more enjoyable over the hill where it's hopefully a little less icy.

(Nikki Norland)

Lester is icy. If you are not an expert skier I suggest avoiding this trail system. My wife who in the 40 years I have known her has never given up on a ski, gave up her ski after about 1km. She told me trail was rock hard and super icy. I encountered the same situation when I hiked across the trails while owling long before sunrise. The city groomed yesterday, but the trails are now skied back down to the icy base. The storm a few days ago only delivered drizzle and rain down hear near the big lake. The trails were groomed yesterday, but even with the city's efforts, skiing is not recommended for anyone but the best skiers. Go up over the hill where trails are flatter and the storm delivered some snow.

(Rich Hoeg)

Skated all of Lester Sunday afternoon. Thanks to the City and groomers for making our trails skiable after the rain! A few thin spots but easily avoidable. Hills are icy. Scattered foot/fog prints. Overall good condition considering the rain.

(Kristin Lusian Saline)

Icy. I've seen worse, but it wasn't fun. We bailed at the first intersection. Some bare spots are starting to emerge. Very sad.

(Catherine Winter)

Noon skate ski revealed a more tightly packed base for skating, making for slightly less edging than yesterday. Tracks are still very good. Hoping for more snow as the snow is becoming dirty in quite a few spots. Still, its still a great ski and glide!

(John Paulson)

Lester is still in good shape, but not as nice as it was late last week. Some dirty/bare spots showing up from the warm temps in skate deck and tracks. Tracks are still good, just getting rounded in top. A little more snow to freshen things up will make a big impact on trail conditions (time to do a snow dance for Duluth).

(Nicole Popp)

Skied all loops at Lester, except the golf course, and conditions were about as close to perfect as they could be. Tracks were firm, precise, and fast. Pleasantly surprised given the dearth of recent snow.

(Kathleen Hills)

I hoped to ski for awhile at Lester, but conditions did not look promising for anything but rock skis. I did not ski far into the trails because there was too much debris and bare ground showing. I skied up the first hill from the playground area hoping that the trails would be better a bit farther into the woods, but it only looked worse up the next hill so I turned around and did not ski any further. Rock skis only until more snow comes!

(Anna Hjerpe)

Oh my, Lester trail conditions are wonderful right now considering the amount of snow that we have. Skate deck is recently groomed with fresh tracks set as well. Not icy at all thanks to the fresh grooming. Some dirt in the tracks on the way down the west side between the first two parking areas on Seven Bridges Road and skate deck felt a bit "rumble strip" like there, as well. But otherwise very nice. Go have some fun out on the trails this weekend!

(Nicole Popp)

Classic ski was a charming experience under the Thursday night lights. Track was very well-formed. Love to see all the skiers with temps in the mid-teens! I was going to skate the trails but got called away. The skate deck was firm with just the right amount of surface snow to not make it icy.

(John Paulson)