Great grooming after the thaw/freeze made this trail system fun and fast this afternoon. Even where it looked icy, I could confidently get an edge to skate. Some minor stick/oak leave debris on trail, but nothing to avoid skiing with B or maybe A skis.

(Ben Creagh)

Trails groomed this evening with YTS-ginzu. Broke up most of the ruts and smoothed things out - should be good skiing tomorrow. Will not be able to groom again until Thursday.

(Chris Torvi)

Skied the entire system. No classic tracks. Uphills have corn on the sides and are very firm to icy in the center. Downhills are thrillingly fast with some terror on the corners at the bottom. No bare spots.

(David King)

Another great ski it on this gem of the north metro. Fast! Thanks for the grooming... Should be good for a while.

Photos:

(David Knight)

Trail survived the major thaw yesterday. Took out the YTS groomer and made several passes. The trail is very skiable. There are a couple thin areas that get more sun (thin coverage - bit icy at top of a couple hills) Upper fields in good shape.

(Chris Torvi)

Had a great ski early this morning on the Irondale trails. The snow firmed up nicely over night. Trails were freshly groomed and in great condition. Wonderful way to start the day!

(Kira Stolen)

Skied the Irondale trails late afternoon, including some laps with the coaches and head groomer, Chris Torvi. They had groomed the trails twice yesterday, and again today, but the dry snow was still a little soft. But what a great ski! First time on the trails in a couple of years, love the new layout and with clearing of buckthorn, so beautiful -- great views of Rice Creek. Such a fun trail system, nice flow and good hills, plus you can stay in the woods on a windy day. Plenty of snow, used my best skis without any issues. Coach was heading back out to groom again after practice!

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Packed powder surface, and only a few twigs and leaves poking through. The trails have been rolled but not tracked. The deck was a little too soft for skate, but wonderful for classic skiing.
This is a wonderful little trail system. Like a miniature version of the Silver Trail at Giants Ridge, it's just a nice flow of hills and turns to keep you working. As has been mentioned before, the 2km section in the woods is terrific on a windy day like today. Many thanks to the coaches from Irondale for keeping these trails up and running.

Photos:

(Thomas Gahr)

Skied Irondale trails Saturday morning. Best conditions of the year so far. Thanks to Coach Chris and his cohort for the fresh rolling. We're fortunate to have this gem of a ski trail so close to us. It's our favorite trail in the metro by far... Good mix of hills and curves... meandering along the Rice Creek. And yes, the wooded sections have ample protection from the bitter wind.

(David Knight)

Pulled the roller around the trails this morning. Thin but good coverage - no classic tracks, but classic was great after grooming! Upper fields by school has better coverage, but the wind is brutal! The entire trail now flows clockwise - including upper school fields.

Photos:

(Chris Torvi)