Classic skiing at Hiawatha was pretty good early this evening. The tracks had iced up since the thaw, but have filled with enough snow to be pleasant. I didn’t try skate, but it seemed pretty icy. Also, I found a working Samsung phone on the trail and left it on the ski racks near the parking lot, just in case its owner sees this.

(Thomas Blackstock)

The snow seemed to help conditions. There is a little bit of drifting snow but it was welcomed as a break from the hard pack and icy stuff. There is still a fair amount of ice and hard pack but it is skiable.

(Daniel Keifenheim)

Break out the backcountry skis, or whatever you've got with metal edges (Nordic skates?). The skate deck was 90% glazed and the classic tracks looked to be completely glazed. The multi-use trail was skiable (barely) though bumpy, and the few spots where there was still some corduroy on the skate deck were actually pretty nice. But most of it was an exercise in slipping, sliding, and skittering. Not much fun. Also looked like some of the grass spots were getting more exposed (though still avoidable). I'd wait until we get a bit more snow and the groomers can do another pass (it was in pretty great shape before this most recent deep freeze!).

(Sam Papai)

Very hard packed and slippery snow, but still skiable on the skate deck. There were just a few icy spots where I had to double pole. Frequent grass patches, but nothing I wasn't able to avoid. If one skied in the classic tracks, they'd probably have to pop in and out of the tracks with some regularity. I'd feel fine with B skis, but others might use rock skis. Extremely fast conditions.

(Richard Kent)

Best condition it's been in all year. Still quite a few bare spots that are mostly avoidable with 1 or 2 spots that extend across the entire trail. Overall was some great skiing though.

(Jordan Lee)

Great conditions with a few intermitten thin spots with grass or gravel. Easily avoided. Fresh classic tracks are set. Hope for more snow.

(Mike Guild)

Outstanding morning ski/skijor outing. Kudos to the groomers for taking the time to do the extra work on the multi use trail - our skijor team really appreciates it. Conditions this morning were a bit better on the multiuse trail for skating than on the proper skate deck - a bit more firm but that should get better with time. There were some spots on the ski trail with thin coverage but easily avoidable. There also was a nice classic track on the ski trail!

Photos:

(Sara Brokaw)

Skated yesterday. Took the dog for a few classic laps on the inner multiuse loop today. Classic tracks are set on the main loop today. The inner loop is actually groomed wide enough that you could skate with your dog if you wanted. Groomer churned up some thin spots but they are avoidable.

(Gus O'Malley)

Hiawatha is groomed, and it should set up for a nice ski in the morning. We don’t have the ability to put down classic tracks due to equipment issues, so the classic skiers will need to make their own. The coverage on the skate deck is good except for a handful of grass spots showing through, all of which are avoidable.

(John Saunders)

Groomers rolled the new snow at Hiawatha this afternoon. The wind is blowing at Hiawatha, and that means that many of the previously exposed areas are still exposed. Before the snow, there were 3 spots on the trail that had asphalt showing, and those should now be covered up so the only danger to your skis out there is the exposed grass. Grooming plans: Groomers will be back at it tonight to roll again and hopefully groom!

(John Saunders)