The entire Banadad Trail, all 27 km, was groomed today. Excellent conditions with a fresh 4-6 inches of snow received this week, perfect for setting a new track on top. Brushing was done while grooming. Currently we have 3-5 feet of snow in the woods and a 22" base.

Photos:

(Austin Danicic)

Excellent skiing on the Banadad. I Skied first 6K from east end. One person in our party skied first 15K and said conditions were excellent.

Photos:

(Flannery Delaney)

Skied from west trailhead to POI 14 (the bench). Track from the trailhead to Wilderness boundary is pretty beat up; but from that point on conditions are very good, given that the last grooming was about 10 days ago. Firm deck, tracks in decent shape. Very icy on the descent to the Dawkins Creek Bridge, nice crashing opportunity (so a friend told me)! Small tree down across the trail about 3km in from the west. Tried to move but frozen in place. On the east end, it appears the Lace Lake side trail has just been groomed.

(Vince King)

Skied east end trailhead to Meeds Lake. Reportedly they had rain up here last week and then 3" of snow. Trail hasn't been groomed since then, but is in decent shape with a firm base. A little icy in a (very) few spots, and getting a little beat up with moderately heavy traffic this long weekend (and somebody forgot to tell a moose not to walk on the trail!); but overall in fair condition. Gorgeous weather! PS Have not checked out all of the side trails yet, but the Tim Knapp (Knopp?) trail doesn't appear to have been groomed for some time.

(Vince King)

On Thursday we groomed the entire main Banadad Trail, all 27 km. In the days before we groomed much of the snow had fallen out of the nearby trees. This was good timing as we set a great new track on top. 3-4 feet of snow in the woods. 18" base, a bit of a crown under the track. Note: East End spur trails have not been groomed; skiers have been on them but we are organizing to get these trails done. We are very pleased that we have got as much done as we have, after our tragedy in December.

Photos:

(Andy Jenks, Banadad Trail Association)

Entire Banadad Trail groomed Thursday. Classic ski track refreshed. Downed trees and debris cleared!

Photos:

(Austin Danicic)

Beautiful skiing on the east end of the Banadad today. Perfect classic tracks, warm weather so snow was a little sticky. Groomer heading out tomorrow from West End to East End. All 27K should be freshly groomed this week.

(Flannery Delaney)

Good News we finally got our Main Trail (Banadad Trail) fully groomed; all 27 km, East to West End. Three feet of snow in the woods; skiing base is 12-18 inches (kind of a crown). Good Skiing. Note: our East End spur trails are not yet groomed. We are trying to schedule operations there after the current serious cold snap.

(Andy Jenks, Banadad Trail Association)

The east end of the Banadad Trail has been at least skied in. We skied down a quarter mile or so. It's skiable, but not groomed due to recent tragedy. We don't know how far it has been skied. Trees are covered, very nice day to be out.

(Chip Treen)

All East End Trails groomed Wednesday night. 3-4 feet of snow in woods. Our main trail (26 km) was packed about 3/4 of the way to the West End before this last huge snow storm. Grooming plans: We were trying to get out tomorrow and finish but tragedy struck last night.
Tragic news: Our trail worker/groomer Curry Thompson, was killed last night in a explosive fire that burned two of our equipment sheds to the ground. He and his dog perished. Two sleds also burned up. We are very sad and trying to put our operation back together. Curry had been helping us for many years.

(Andrew Jenks, Banadad Trail Association)