Very good for classic, tracks we're still very firm when I finished at 1pm. Almost all trails out of the forestville trailhead had been groomed overnight. Get out there early.

(Patrick Doornek)

Some of the best classic skiing I have ever experienced at Forestville. 10 degrees out and the best machine made tracks you have ever seen. Just about every trail up to the virtual Noque turnaround was hit by the PistenBully.

(Ethan Kennedy)

The virtual race format this year must have been a challenge for organizers and groomers to coordinate sections of the trail. This would have been the weekend for the in-person event. The middle approx 15km (above hwy 510) hasn’t been groomed in a while and is loose and lumpy - not because of any lack of snow. This section has some steep technical downhill that is almost better to take skis off and walk. Be careful. Also there are no course markers on this large portion or the course. The map that is included in the race packet and emails doesn’t cover this area either. Map is just half the course. This, combined with the almost back-country conditions was making one wonder if one is still on the right trail. Kinda frustrating on an already challenging course! I’d wait another weekend if you’re doing the full Noque. Or just do the half. The rest of the course is well groomed and packed.

(Isaac Fuhr)

Pretty incredible conditions this morning on the NTN. Piston bully groomed up the full virtual course last night. Skate lane was firm, wide and flat. Classic tracks looked great too. Parking lot just about full when I left. Just a couple of dirt sections on some of the Bagwaji hills where the PB tilled up some dirt. Other than that, amazing skiing.

(Ethan Kennedy)

3-4 inches of dry snow fell last night. Looked like the Noque grooming crew were finally able to get the piston bully out! I classic skied laps on Gookookoo because the classic tracks were firm and very well set. Skate lane had also set up very well and wasn't soft at all. I noticed that the PB was prioritizing the virtual course for this week, so I would highly recommend skiing that. Other trails were being rolled and groomed in with the ginzu. You could definitely tell a difference between the PB trails and the soft ginzu trails.

Photos:

(Ethan Kennedy)

Nearly 30 degrees warmer than yesterday morning, so snow was much faster. Skate lanes were cleaned up again, but decently dirty from the 40 mph winds we had yesterday. Mostly acorns and pine needles. Skied Bagwaji which has great coverage, but a bit bumpy and uneven in places. Animoosh and Noque seem to be in the best condition. Pics are from Animoosh.

Photos:

(Ethan Kennedy)

Very cold, dry, and slow snow this morning. 7 degrees and pretty windy. Skate lanes were cleaned up. Classic tracks hadn't been touched. Skate lane was very firm and wide. Great coverage. First time using my race skis on the Noque this winter.

(Ethan Kennedy)

Today was the first day where I thought, "wow it's finally winter in MQT." On and off lake effect snow showers and 16F degrees this morning. Classic tracks are a day old with fresh powder in them. Skate lanes were a bit soft. There are no more dirty spots and hardly any briars are showing through on Animoosh. I had no trouble using my good skis. This is the most snow we have had this year, but the base is still very thin compared to years past at this time. If you were hesitant on coming up this weekend to ski the virtual Noque due to low snow conditions, no need to worry anymore. There is plenty of coverage on all trails, the Noque grooming team should be able to set up a very nice virtual course for this weekend!

(Ethan Kennedy)

Trails not groomed this morning. Very poor conditions because we received a lot of rain yesterday, which saturated what little base we have left. There was an inch of heavy, wet snow on top. Trails seem to be fully covered again. However, I noticed plenty of wet puddles in lower depressions.

Photos:

(Ethan Kennedy)

Sandpaper like conditions this morning with light rain and snow. Trails are very dirty and thin in spots due to the warm temps and precipitation. Base is so thin that you do not have to worry about creating ruts in the skate lane.

(Ethan Kennedy)