Ran the groomer on the lakes but it did not have much impact this morning. Snow is rutted, hard, and ice in many places. Still is doable but skis will take a beating. Classic tracks at certain places are good but other points it is an ice trail. New: We have signs from Loppet directing walkers/bikers to stay right of ski trail on all the lakes. It will be helpful going forward to alert people kindly when they are on ski trail that there is now a separate trail.

(Ken Valley)

The groomed trail was quite icy this morning, unlike in previous days prior to the freezing rain storm, when it was excellent for skating (and classic too!). Skating outside the groomed trail was much easier and more desirable for balance and stability but at times also difficult due to hidden ice fishing holes and foot prints as well as an icy crust on top of the older snow. Needless to say, conditions were fast if/when we could find desirable snow to ski on. The classic tracks were essentially iced in but were still in tact so double poling in them was possible and fast! (: But, if you're wanting to kick, bring your klister! Enjoy!

(Marla Husnik)

Poor conditions on Brownie, Cedar, Lake of the Isles and especially Bde Maka Ska late this afternoon. Very icy. I mostly skied on the side of the trails, which was not at all ideal either.

(Reede Webster)

Skied on Lake of the Isles and Cedar today. Classic trails were 100% useable, although extremely icey in some areas. Lake of the Isles was definitely better than Cedar - lots of slush.

(Alex Cee)

Brownie, Cedar and Isles are good. Skate lane is excellent in places, a bit on the icy side in other places, but useable everywhere. Classic tracks are rock hard ice and super fast. I was on skate gear but found double poling in the tracks easier and faster. Avoid Bde Maka Ska, most of the lake is slush. In places it gives way to ankle deep ice water.

(Zachary Handler)

After a few warm (for us) days I expected to find the well-groomed but thin Chain of Lake trail I’ve been skiing full of gaps and mushy. I was totally wrong and found them in great shape, well packed but not too much and super fast. Gaps under bridges but otherwise a great experience. As they used o say in those Health films that most of you are too young to remember: “Good grooming matters.” Thank you groomers for excellent work on the Lakes this year! You made a lot of people happy.

(R.T. Rybak)

Lovely ski this late afternoon/evening on Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. Excellent skate deck and fast classic track. A little damp under the bridges, but otherwise, the best place to ski right now! My new favorite.

(Diane Mancini)

I had a nice ski on Cedar, Brownie, and over to Isles this morning. Thanks to the Theo groomers for making the lakes so skiable! The classic tracks were in pretty decent shape, and the skate deck was good, too. It was a little icy under the bridges, but still not that bad. I was able to find some uncrowded skiing compared to my ski at Hyland over the weekend!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

Groomed Maka Ska, Isles and Cedar Lake including the including the on-land trails in Cedar Lake Park. Classic tracks in good condition. Some icy conditions on Maka Ska and under bridges. Grooming plans: Should have snow under the bridges by end of day today.

(Michael Bono)

Re-groomed the skate lane on Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Cedar including the on land trails in Cedar Lake Park, but left the well set classic tracks alone. Everything is in good condition with the exception of ice under the bridges and a few spots on the west side of BMS.

(Brian Milavitz)