Brian C set new classic tracks and skate deck on Isles and the Cedar-Isles channel last night. It's beautiful, with many skiers enjoying the trails on this sunny morning. Volunteer groomers will do Cedar and Bde Maka Ska when we have a chance, maybe this afternoon.

(Jim van Iwaarden)

Classic grooming on Isles was hit or miss this morning. Some good segments, other places tracks shallow or gone. Snow was satiny smooth and fast though, and temps balmy. Skaters looked happy.

(Lacey Hartman)

I was short a ski boot, so I was regulated to walking dog (not in the path ;-). The grooming on Brownie and Cedar looked stellar. It was a bummer not getting to enjoy it but looking forward to today with new boots.

(Ty Anderson)

The skate deck on the Kenilworth Channel, Cedar Lake and Brownie were all freshly groomed this afternoon. Classic tracks were not manually set, but there are really nice looking tracks laid down from skiers in the fresh snow. A biking/walking path was also packed to the shoreline (inside) side of the nordic trails. Go ski this evening if you can - you will be a happier person if you do! Hopefully the wind won't blow too hard tonight and these trails should firm up nicely with colder temps. In addition, Isles and Ska were also groomed this morning as well. Enjoy.

Photos:

(Craig Rittler)

Skate deck and walking/biking path groomed on Isles and Bde Maka Ska this morning. Nice firm base that should set up well.

(Michael Gotzsche)

Skied Brownie, Cedar Lake, and the channel late morning. Brownie was groomed, the rest of the lakes were still fresh powder, but still easy enough to skate through. There were a few spots on Cedar where skis would slide out due to the slick ice below the new snow, but overall better than I expected. Great on Brownie after the grooming. Lots of classic skiers out in some great looking tracks.

(John Lyrenmann)

I would rate conditions as "not real fun". Lake alternates between drifts and hardpack so I had a hard time getting an edge. Classic tracks looked pretty good (better than the skate deck), so still lots of potential there. The climb up to the bridge out of Brownie lake is very very icy, so be careful for the big rock in the middle of the ramp when you descend. I walked down. Hopefully new snow helps!

(Tim Bontrager)

Good conditions on Cedar, deep firm tracks and pretty fast. Softer, shallower tracks on Brownie. Some icy patches on both lakes but easy to hop out and ski around.

(Lacey Hartman)

Epic conditions on the lakes for classic and skate. Mostly clean soft snow, just a few small icy patches. Excellent snow under all tunnels and bridges. I used my best skis, no problem - even the Cedar land trail is very good!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Conditions Saturday late afternoon were consistently good across the four lakes with some variation. Isles and Cedar consistently strong, Brownie soft with a couple ice spots, Bde Maka Ska was soft but good except for about four ice spots, which were mostly navigable except for the west side right under Minikahda (So soft here with a bit of water, steer clear). Maka Ska got firmer quickly however at about 3:30 when I followed the groomer around. A few more skiers and it should be solid enough for a really good ski. (I did my part by pressing down on each ski with all my post-Christmas Cookie weight).

(R.T. Rybak)