Groomer trailer was in the parking lot when I arrived and by the time I was done the entire trail system had been groomed. With the fresh snow yesterday and the new grooming, there were a few soft spots in the tracks and a couple soft pole plants. Otherwise the trails are in great condition. Was able to have a trail chat with Oscar the Finn, who has roots on the Range, but now lives in Illinois. He was up visiting and enjoying skiing the trails again with all the snow and the sunshine. I did the 10k loop of Black Forest, Highland and Southern Lights and soaked up the wonderful sun. If you look close at the photos you can see by the sides of the trails how deep the snow is this year.

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

What a great winter, and the skiing just continues to be great. Full trail system is groomed with the Black Forest Loop seeing the most skiers as usual. Therefore the tracks are a little beat up in some areas of the trail with the traffic. The farther you ski out from the parking lots the better the trail conditions are. Not they are bad really anywhere. Great to see the number of skiers out today!

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

The Black Forest loop had the groomer out on it early today, and by this afternoon a light fluff had accumulated and had been skied in at least once. Looks like the rest of the trail system had not been touched by groomer or skiers. Took my time today and enjoyed the very light flurries and just how much snow has piled up in the woods.

(Craig Holgate)

Above zero for a change and the entire trail system was groomed yesterday. Tracks are slightly soft, but in great shape except where the deer have been out on the trails. Great time to get out and log some k's!

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

6 inches of new snow overnight and the groomer out today has improved the trails a lot. With the new snow and the fresh grooming (met him in the parking lot and all trails were done by 3 this afternoon) the classic tracks were a little soft. However with cold temps tonight, they should firm up and be ideal by tomorrow. The Southern Lights loop, even though it was only groomed a few hours ago, had a lot of deer tracks and in some sections nearly covering the trail. If you've never skied the Carey Lake system, now is the time to give it a try. It's in prime condition with good grooming and a 3 dollar donation at the trailheads is your daily ski pass. Enjoy!

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

With no new snow in a while, and no new grooming the trails are holding up pretty good. Tracks still have decent depth, and there are not too many places washed out. The problem is way too much debris in the tracks...major wax grabbers! Hopefully we get more snow soon! Skied part of Highland and Southern Lights and as I finished up the first few flakes were coming down. Great to be back out of the skis after a few cold days. (Today cloudy and 7 degrees).

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

Trails still in great shape, just posting some rare sunny photos. Also got a report on the lit Black Forest loop. Lights are on nightly from dusk until at least 9. However, there are a few sections of lights that are not working. One being the largest downhill, so a headlamp is still recommend.

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

Trails are all freshly groomed after last weeks rain. In very good shape with just a little glazing in spots. Skied the Southern Lights and Highland trails. Only problem is some debris down in the tracks, otherwise great shape all around.

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

Nice sunny warm afternoon to be out on the trails with friends. Black Forest loop is still has the best grooming. Or the skate trail that is also in good shape. Trails holding up pretty good with the warm weather and skier traffic. Snowshoed the multi use trail yesterday and that is also in good shape. Get out and enjoy the nice weather this weekend!

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)

What a difference a few days makes.....Sunday the trails were groomed beautifully, and today they are in poor shape. I skied the Highland and Southern Lights loops, and found ruts on the side of the trail and mounds of snow along side the tracks. The piles of snow made it nearly impossible to get a poling rhythm going, since your tip would catch on the snow on the forward motion. Also there is a lot of overhanging branches on Highland. All that being said if you are looking to go out and take an easy ski you'll enjoy the beautiful woods. The times I crossed the skate trail, it looked to be in great shape. And where the trail was a combination of skate and classic it was very good.

Photos:

(Craig Holgate)