Fast snow conditions all around (thank you, groomers!). The channels between lakes are mostly covered (thank you, shovelers!), and only one stretch on the south end of BMS was drifted over. Disappointing to report, though, that dog walkers and fatbike riders have made a mess of the skate deck on much of BMS and Isles.

(Chris Bowman)

Thanks groomers, all great. Cedar Lake to Brownie, nice to see designated walking/biking trail. Now can big tire and walkers stay off ski deck?

(Will O'Meara)

Groomed Bde Maka Ska this afternoon and touched up the other lake trails. We've groomed a walking/biking path on the outside of the ski trail on all the lakes so let's try to kindly educate folks where to travel. The skiing should be fantastic.

(Michael Gotzsche)

Skijored with the kids tied into the lead. Skied Cedar and Isles today. Half of us skated and half were in the classic tracks, which were in great shape. Skate deck was lumpy (it is a lake after all :) but had great coverage and was a lot of fun--nothing to complain about there. Not much snow under the bridges but the ice was smooth and easy enough to scoot through. Really appreciate the extra grooming and signs encouraging walkers to use the multipurpose track and not the classic tracks and skate deck. Beautiful day out there--grateful to have a nice snow base out there and see so many people enjoying the sunny day.

(Andy Martinson)

Lake of the Isles, the Channel and Cedar were groomed twice today and after sitting overnight should be solid for Monday. A groomed deck for walkers and cyclists is in the outside shore side of both lakes, signs mark the use designations. Maka Ska will need more work after the first pass today.

Photos:

(Brian Crotteau)

Shoveled snow under all the bridges between Bde Maka Ska and Isles, these should be free of ice now. Skate deck under all but the bridge into Bde Maka Ska.

(Eric Sumner)

Brownie Lake was in great shape for skating, but the tunnel to Cedar is glare ice with some sand mixed in. My skis got a little extra stone grind, so you may want to walk the skis across the tunnel. Cedar Lake has been nicely re-groomed for excellent skating and no ice to worry about on the new corduroy all the way around the lake. The Cedar Land trail is a bit icy but skiable, until the final descent down to the lake from the beach -- use caution and definitely take the re-routed trail at low speed. The channel to Lake of the Isles is fairly treacherous with a lot of glare ice, but I was able to double pole it both directions without losing my footing. Use caution! Lake of the Isles was in pretty good shape - way better than expected. I did not venture to Bde Maka Ska. Classic tracks were mostly intact although fairly icy on the lakes. If you venture up to the South Wirth trails from Brownie Lake, you will be rewarded with even better conditions!

(Bill Oyler)

Cedar and isles are in good shape. The newly groomed skate lane set on the inside of the old one skis well and is not at all icy. Classic tracks are icy. The land trail on northeast cedar is in good shape for skating. I gave a B ski rating just because the channels between the lakes have little snow and some dirty spots.

(Zachary Handler)

Groomed and fixed Isles, the channel and Cedar once again after the last dusting. An outer shore side trail has been groomed for walkers, cyclists, snow shoe, and long jumpers. The original classic tracks and skate deck in the middle is skiable but icy. A new inner double wide skate deck has been upgraded, for skiing only. The land route NE off Cedar has been repaired and is skiable again, classic tracks were wrecked and will need to wait for new snow.

Photos:

(Brian Crotteau)

I groomed Bde Maka Ska and Lake of the Isles Tuesday night. Bde Maka Ska, despite my best effort, could not be groomed into a viable trail. What snow remains was too compacted and transformed into ice to be made into something very skiable. Until we have some new snow to work into the base the skiing will be not as nice as one would like. Lake of the isles is in considerably better shape and has two sets of tracks and a wide skate deck in reasonably good condition given the icy base.

(Joel Woodward)