Last Friday the trails were groomed. Wednesday we got another inch of snow, and today we were walloped with another 2 to 3 inches. The wind was crazy wild today, coming from all directions. The blanket of new white snow over the forest floor made for wildlife tracks that one could guarantee was fresh, definitely close by. It was a bit of a trudge, but well worth it, making more perfect days that much more perfect.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Enjoyed exploring these trails for 3.5 hours this morning. Appeared they were recently groomed with 1-2 inches of powder in track which made for fun skiing. We loved the narrow single track trails surrounded by towering pines. A very serene and wilderness like experience.

Photos:

(Darren Blankenship)

Excellent four hour ski with Jeremy, the President of FFGT, and one of its Board Members, Bart. And just as importantly their partners, Lara, Allyz, and John. Oh and don't forget the trouble makers Gab and Reva. The temps were hovering around -10 to 0 degrees, trails were perfectly groomed thanks to Bert and Gary's efforts on Friday. Passed a couple of other hardy skiers prepping for the upcoming Birke. While clearing part of the trail with loppers I was up to my hips in soft powdery snow.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Take a look at the photos it is the definition of a "freshly groomed" trail. I must have followed pretty close to Gary and Bert's grooming efforts. The wind was horrendous today, any open area gave no indication that a groomer just went over them, however, the snow sculptures that were created from the howling wind were well worth slogging through to see. If the wind dies down skiing should be outstanding this weekend.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Wow, another significant winter snowfall happened when I was out skiing today. The set tracks from Sunday's grooming and skiers this past week are nearly full of snow again. When skiing it was easy to glide through the previously tracked trails. I did a 2.5 hr ski and when I headed back there were some areas you couldn't tell I had just skied them an hour ago. This has been a consistently good quality snow year.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Sharing the trail with the Isabella wolf pack was the highlight for today's ski. There was a dusting of new snow over the tracks that merely added to the beauty of the day ski, it certainly didn't slow down the fast pace that the warmer snow provided today.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

If you don't find these trails a 10 out of 10, then kwitchurbeliakin. It is stupendous out on the trail today, when I didn't think they could get better they just did. Gary did a fantastic job of turning the six inches of fluffy new snow into trails that look like they were groomed for royalty. Thanks Gary. The warmer temps made for slightly faster skiing, making me feel like I was worthy of the USA Olympic Classic ski team, dream on. All trails have been groomed.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

The snow started coming down around 9 AM and kept a steady pace until around 3:30 PM. This new blanket of 5+ inches of snow sure freshened up the forest floor with a new layer of white fluff. We skied through previously tracked trails that accumulated snow in front of us as the day went on. It was a snow globe type of day. Tomorrow the hope is to groom all the trails, I will post if this happens, but for now expect snow-filled tracks, in some cases I expect you may not be able to see the tracks at all.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

For those that want to enjoy a conversation with a friend or family member while skiing, there is a portion of the trail from intersection 1 to 10 that is now double tracked. Thanks Gary. I skiied 2>17>15>5>13>21>14>17>2 and enjoyed a mostly tracked trail, with a slight dusting of new snow in the tracks, except in the open areas where the wind fill the trail and tracks. It was a bluebird day and being able to get out on these trails is always a pleasure.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

It was a cold, slow day on the skis, but once the internal engine was warmed up all was good. The trails were covered with windblown snow in the open areas and a small amount of debris was in the tracks due to the winds from the past couple of days. It was an eight out of 10 trail condition rating, but I am not complaining; it is always good to get out even if things aren't perfect.

(Nancy Schultz)