I was grateful to read the classic tracks had been set at the U of M in order to get away from the frenzy of Wirth. A few thin spots and those darn oak leaves are blowing around but all in all a great ski with mostly intact tracks. People were skiing both directions and signs would be great. I was also bummed to witness three fat tire bikers on the trail and lots of sledding families unaware of the damage they have caused but could have easily avoided. Thank you for maintaining this course. Annual pass worth every cent.

(Jean Garbarini)

I thought that the trails flowed nicely, and the groomers did a great job with the new snow. The classic tracks looked thin in areas but seemed mostly intact. I used rock skis but could easily have gone on B skis (there is some exposed grass but no rocks that I could see). Unfortunately, there was a fair amount of damage from walkers and fat-bikers, and I saw a man skiing with a dog. It would be helpful to have signs indicating directionality of the loops and to post large notices advising against walking and biking on the trails.

(Emma Lee)

Lovely! I bought a season pass for Theo Wirth and have been going there a lot the past 6 weeks, but heard that the Michelangelo who conjures the U of M course had opened it for the season so stopped by today! 30 cars in the lot when I started at 3:15 but plenty of room on the trails. I skated the outer loop twice. The surface is firmed up great - on a good day I weigh 210 but I had no problem with the deck. Lots of folks going classical and those tracks looked good too. Sure, there were 4 or maybe 5 places where the wind had uncovered grass tops but easily avoided and I was perfectly happy on my A skis. ( Full disclosure: I don't own B skis.) I had bought a season pass for this U course earlier today online and found that process to be easy-peasey. Very happy to have the routes here up and running! Thank you!

(John Grady)

Soft deck and thin spots but overall a smooth ski. The groomer did good. The outer loop is better, Classic tracks are set on both.

(Eddie Ogot)

Made numerous passes on everything this morning and set a classic track. Still thin snow conditions and there are a couple of short reroutes to try to connect better snow. Conditions are better on the outer loop as the high spots in the middle of the course are snow challenged but getting better as we slowly try to pull snow onto them. Let us know how it skis.

Photos:

(Mitch Hoffman)

Very nice freshly groomed trails greeted us this morning. There was only one other car in the parking lot. Groomers were able to set tracks on both trails, though there are several grassy spots in the track and one spot with gravel. Good skis would work for most of the trail. Skating looked very good also, with a few soft spots.

(Chip Treen)

Good and getting better as snow was coming down at 3 p.m. The six significant thin spots that I had counted on Saturday were barely noticeable this afternoon. Note that there was a problem with buying a season pass for the U of M golf course, but that it has now been fixed. So if you were frustrated earlier, as we were, try again.

(Lois Braun)

Everything was groomed tonight. Much less bare ground after today’s bit of snow. Not enough snow to set a classic track just yet. New this year our day and season passes can be purchased online. Day passes can still be purchased onsite with cash as well.

(Mitch Hoffman)

Skied outer loop, some blown snow over previously groomed skate trail with good glide, some bare spots. No classic track yet.

(Kevin Kelly)

As per previously reported conditions, some parts of the trail with great coverage and other areas windblown down to grass. No bare pavement though was a plus. The outer trail had better coverage - enough to even do intervals! No classic tracks. Had great kick on the couple of uphills that were blown bare :) Enjoyed the workout with skiers from opposite ends of the United States (cars from Florida and Alaska in the lot!).

(Elspeth Ronnander)