Groomed Columbia this morning. Wasn't able to use the teeth for the last 3/4 lap, but it looks pretty good. The two pictures are the best and worst of the course. It's going to be fast at Columbia, but I'm sure you'll hold your edge. Left classic alone. Enjoy Columbia today!

Photos:

(Jim Daggett)

Columbia suffered after the thaw/freeze, but we spent some time chewing it up to reduce the amount of ice in the wind blown areas. I was pretty happy how well it came out. There are some icy spots, but skaters should be able to hold an edge throughout the whole course.
Classic tracks are shallow but I think the whole course is really skiable. Columbia skiers, I think we're in decent shape. Although... let's all "think snow"!

Photos:

(Jim Daggett)

Classic track are there, but mostly ice. Despite some morning snow, the overnight melt/rain made for difficult conditions. No bare spots.

(Jacob Pasterski)

We got a coating of snow today so I was able to run the groomer and capture the fresh stuff. I made same very shallow classic tracks as well. Very warm and soft on top and likely a bit icy in spots. It actually rained a bit which doesn't help but looks pretty good to me. Let us know how it is if you get out.

Photos:

(Tony Tillmann)

I used the good hard track skis and had a great time. Good skate surface throughout, good coverage on those off-camber step turn corners. Classic track was shallow but well-formed on 99% of the loop. I didn't go to the East side but the trail up to the bridge was very good.

(Steve Casey)

Classic tracks west of the bridge are icy in most spots. Difficult to get a grip in the tracks to kick on most uphills and some flats. Good news is there are minimal bare spots and tree debris. Tracks east of the bridge are in good shape, much less icy. My first time skiing here - the air stunk of gasoline (of course out of control of the Columbia crew, just an observation in case your nose is more sensitive). End of the day, still much better than no skiing at all. For nighttime, you can definitely get by on these trails with a headlamp and ambient light.

(Cory Quirk)

Groomed the skate deck and reset the classic tracks this afternoon after the temperature started to drop. I was pleasantly surprised how well the snow survived the warm spell. The skate deck groomed up very nice, it should be excellent skiing tomorrow. The classic tracks are shallow, but should be serviceable in most places. There are a few more dirt spots than before, but they looked easy to avoid. As always be careful near the steep hill by the clubhouse, the snow is pretty thin over there.

(Mike Keyes)

Today was not kind to columbia. The skate deck was hard and icy. The good news is that there is still snow and hopefully some cooler weather will help rejuvenate the course. Our groomers have been working wonders this season so fingers crossed for better days ahead.

(Greg Loper)

I did some shoveling while I skied tonight and covered all the significant bare spots. The skate deck is in surprisingly good shape... easily the best trail in Northeast Minneapolis right now. Classic tracks are questionable. Be careful on the steep climb by the clubhouse as there's a paved trail crossing the trail that does a great job melting the snow. Let's hope it holds together for the cold temps.

(Blaine Gudbjartsson)

I was pleasantly surprised at just how good Columbia was today. Yes, there are bare spots but they are fairly easy to avoid. Most of the deck has a firm base underneath a layer of loose wet snow. The groomers have really worked some magic! It was slow but very skiable.

(Greg Loper)