Five inches of new snow and another 1/2 inch came down as we were skiing. No grooming has occurred but skiers have tracked many sections. It was a strange feeling experiencing a December winter wonderland in April. It was a winter wonderland with all the fresh snow on the trees.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

It was the quintessential spring ski today. Soft tracks, 40 degrees, but plenty of snow to ski on. A couple of small patches of bare ground that were easy to ski around. We are still open for business, come and enjoy all the daylight we have right now.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Went out for a short ski and enjoyed spring skiing on visible tracks on soft snow. I had good glide and kick using waxless skies. My only disappointment was that I couldn't go further. Two other skiers went out ahead of me, setting a bit of a better track.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Sadly, I missed a day of skiing yesterday on the Trails due to an injury. I share this because my ski today was pathetically slow - and I want to be clear: that's on me, not the tracks. But here's the silver lining. Moving at a snail's pace forced me to notice things I'd normally glide right past. The trails were a bit crusty from yesterday's cold snap, and on rare occasion just a touch icy - though I only made it as far as Junction 18 and back, so take that with a grain of salt. Yesterday's wind did bring down some debris, but nothing alarming in the areas I covered. The temperature was a crisp 14°F, and I opted for my waxable skis. Despite my humbling condition, it was still a day outside on snow - and that's never a bad thing. Hope you can get out and enjoy the trails during this extended winter we've been gifted!

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Really nice classic conditions and beautiful trails. The snow was on the soft side, given all the recent snow, but I'd rather have that than ice. The trail network and grooming job are really impressive. I saw a handful of other folks out there, but the tracks were essentially pristine.

(Will Daniels)

Today was nothing short of a skiing miracle - and yes, I said miracle. The kind of day you replay in your mind long after the snow melts. After 10 to 12 glorious inches of fresh snow blanketed everything on Friday, Saturday was spent in noble service - packing trails and wrestling down blowdowns, setting the stage for something special. And special it was. Today, Joe worked his magic, tracking every single trail to perfection, leaving behind conditions that can only be described as absolutely astounding - the kind that make you stop mid-glide just to take it all in. None of this happens without the right people. A massive, heartfelt thanks to Joe and Doug, whose hard work and dedication made this day possible. With temperatures sitting at a crisp 22 degrees and only a moderate breeze, the winter boreal forest was in full, breathtaking glory - cold enough to feel alive, calm enough to stay out for hours without a second thought. Do yourself a favor: get out there. The trails are waiting, the forest is stunning, and days like this don't come around often. We were lucky enough to live it today - you should be next.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

After 10 to 12 inches fell yesterday, we were able to get all the trails packed. I skied over the packed trails using my waxless skis, it wasn't a fast glide, but it was smooth and no slipping off to the side. The forest was simply stunning today with all the fresh powdery snow. Packing the trails with Doug went well; we cleared two large pines and several smaller balsams.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Two hours of skiing on fast hard crusted snow with about two feet of base. It was loud, but fun to slide fast. Some of the debris has reappeared since yesterdays melt. Classic spring ski day.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

The intent of the outing today was to remove a few blowdowns near Junction 18, but after doing this, we decided to ski the outer western trail to the shelter and back. We cleared several more trees along the way. The 40-plus-degree day made for a slow glide, but not so slow it was frustrating. We really enjoyed the spring-like ski with the sun and whatever glide we could get. Meanwhile, Mary skied the eastern trails around and near Flathorn Lake and discovered more blowdowns. So if you're headed that way, expect a few workarounds.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

It was a pleasant surprise to be skiing on 1" of new snow that held a lofty condition while in full sun and 29 degree temperatures. The tracks benefited from new snow, covering up all the debris. Tracks were easy to distinguish but not freshly groomed. It was a fantastic spring skiing afternoon.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)