Isles and Bed Maka Ska were freshened up this morning. Was able to remove most of the divots from walkers and bikers leaving a nice firm, smooth skate deck. The classic tracks are looking great. Also groomed the walker/biker trail that is closest to shore. Was a little chilly out there but it's gonna warm up!

(Michael Gotzsche)

I skied the lake chain tonight at 6:30. The trail was firm and should be in good shape the Loppet. Start green with some toko cold powder made the glide good. The classic track was set and looked really good. Everyone must have been hibernating tonight with the cold temps, I didn't anyone skiing:).

(Jim Williams)

All the trails on Lake of the Isles and Bda Mka Ska, including the Lagoon connection were groomed on Sunday afternoon. The skate deck on Isles is setting up nicely, but Ska is still a little soft due to the fresh/windblown snow getting packed for the first time - these cold nights should get it solid pretty quickly. There are also fresh classic tracks on both sides of Isles, and the outside of Ska. Signage was put up reminding users that the outside loop is for walkers and bikers, with the trail between the two classic tracks for skiing. Enjoy the Lakes and don't believe the hype...it's not that cold if you dress for success!

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(Craig Rittler)

Absolutely perfect day on Lake of the Isles. Gorgeous skate deck - a little forgiving but not too soft. Classic tracks looked good too. Thank you groomers! Nice to be back on the lake. Fingers crossed for a great chilly February.

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(Eric Bernstein)

This morning we re-groomed all the trails on Cedar Lake including the land route and connection to Brownie. The skate deck is perfect with classic tracks on both sides. Outside loop is for walkers and bikers, trail between the two classic tracks is for skiing.

(Brian Crotteau)

Lake of the Isles was groomed with classic tracks and doubled wide skate lane, plus a walking/biking path also set between the skiing trail and the shoreline. The wind was blowing in a lot of the eastern and southeastern sides, but overall the snow packed down fairly well. The Lagoon connection to Ska was also freshened up with some shoveled snow and tracked/packed for both classic and skate. Ska was not groomed due to high winds with blowing snow, and the Kenilworth Channel was not touched due to LRT construction. Signage will be posted soon to call out the skiing vs. biking/walking path, but were not set today due to the high winds. Now we can enjoy the Lakes again after the slush fest!

Photos:

(Craig Rittler)

Nordic and Skate tracks good to icy; but walkers, transients and snowshoers have mucked things up since Tuesday grooming. IMHO needs more snow. Thank you to Loppet Volunteer hand plowing snow under Bde Mka Ska bridge.

Photos:

(Stephen Tannen)

Trail spur off NE side of Cedar is very soft but skiable. In general the deck on all lakes is firm enough to hopefully stay in place.

(Duane Jacobson)

Skate skied Bde Maka Ska and Isles. Great conditions. The first tunnel from Bde to Isles is all ice. Outside of that it was okay. Two sets of classic tracks. A bit crusty but with this little snow one skier said it definitely was worth being out there.

(Tom Amundson)

The slush situation that was plaguing our grooming efforts on the lakes earlier this month has largely gotten better, and we have been able to groom Cedar, Isles, Bde Maka Ska, and Brownie. Conditions range from good, to icy in spots, where the slush had frozen. The Kennilworth channel between Isles and Cedar is closed for the season due to LRT construction. The tunnel between Cedar and Brownie is in rough shape after last week's thaw, but is passable on foot.

(Robert Ibler, Loppet Foundation)