Update from our trail grooming staff at the end of the day: Many trails have been packed with the roller, but tracks have not been set yet.

(Maria Anderson)

After several inches of snow since yesterday, staff spent the morning clearing the parking lot and sidewalks so our buildings are accessible. We've started grooming the trails this afternoon--just working on packing so far.

(Maria Anderson)

Freshly groomed for skate and classic. The skate deck corduroy was soft but coverage was perfect. The classic tracks were hard and deep but with many bare spots (easily avoided). The course is flat but the soft skate conditions made for a good workout regardless. Beautiful park and facilities. All Hormel needs is more skiers.

(Mark Orlowski)

This is the second time I've skied here. Most of the trails have been tracked. The tracks range from soft to firm. Most have good coverage but there is a segment to the north east of the nature center that has minimal coverage and grass showing through 75% of the track (south of a line of trees). This is the only trail that I found minimal coverage. This is a great location to ski with trails along the river in the woods and open segments in prairie. Nice visitor center with rentals. I was surprised there weren't more people out skiing but the low temps may have kept some away. Great day of skiing!

(Michelle Stone)

We've been working on getting the trails groomed throughout the day. Packing the deep powdery snow has been difficult in some areas, so tracks aren't set yet (besides tracks left by skiers blazing their own trails). Ski rental will be open starting Sunday from 1:00-5:00 p.m. Although the exhibit area of the Interpretive Center will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21 for MLK Day, ski rental will be available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Maria Anderson)

The snow we've gotten throughout the day combined with what's in the forecast for tonight should give us enough coverage to pack and track starting tomorrow (Saturday). Ski rental will be available starting Sunday afternoon (1:00-5:00 p.m.). In the meantime, patrons with their own equipment have the opportunity to blaze their own tracks on the powdery trails!

(Maria Anderson)

Trails aren't looking so fabulous. Extended warm temps without a good base has exposed a lot of grass. We are halting ski rentals until we get more snow; folks with their own skis are always welcome to give the trails a shot, though. Rock skis.
The attached photo shows a pretty average length of trail as of this morning.
If anyone has access to supervillain-style weather control apparatuses, please let us know!! We will put them to use!

Photos:

(William Bjorndal)

Skating part of the trail nice 'n' clean; majority of the trails have tracks set. Grass poking up here and there on with thinner snow (usually on the tracks), but nothing that couldn't be avoided easily. Nice!

Photos:

(William Bjorndal)

Mike is out packing the trails this morning. Skating zones look pretty nice, a bit of debris poking up in some of the classical tracks.

Photos:

(William Bjorndal)