Observed a bit of the classic technique high school ski race held today. They also had a skate race on the same course afterwards. I was on the course, it sure looked like the tracks were solid and I didn't see any of that icy surface we were getting when it would thaw during the day. It seemed like a solid skate deck. Trail was partially open (<1 KM?). Nothing is melting anymore at least.

(Sara Zimmer)

Thank the city, thank all the donors and thank the hardworking Spirit Mt snowmakers and groomers who have made it possible for the 300+ high school skiers who descended upon the Spirit Mt trails to ski and practice this afternoon. Was it crowded? Yes. Was the snow a bit icy? Yes. Were there classic tracks? Yes. Was it skiing in one of the warmest and snowless seasons on record? Yes. So thankful to every person involved in making this opportunity available, especially the snowmakers and groomers. How hard that must have been for them to watch all their hard work melt away over Christmas and have to start all over again. I did take the opportunity to thank one of the Spirit Mt staff in person and he informed me that Spirit will be blowing snow overnight in the lower stadium and then in the morning they plan to push it around and groom it. He asked that folks wait until later in the morning before skiing to stay out of the way of the groomer and snowmaking equipment. What an easy thing to do to support their efforts!

(Dave Johnson)

Mostly ice. They opened some more trails and there's a second loop, snow is in the making, trails are groomed and no classic ski trails.

(Sebastian Fallas)

Around 30F, overcast, windy, some precipitation. It's pretty awful. If you're desperate, you'll get some time on snow, but it's icy in most spots, and corny in a narrow band around the corners. I would not be out here at night.

Photos:

(Louise Levy)

We classic skied the artificial loop in the late morning. There were no tracks set, but it ended up being a great ski. There wasn't much iciness since it warmed up a bit. A couple of bare spots, but they were marked and super easy to avoid. I used my B classic skis but you could get away with good skis, especially for skate.

(Kyle Richard)

A few high school skiers did some skate skiing at Grand Avenue at Spirit Mountain this morning. Spirit Mountain alpine and Nordic is officially open. As you would expect, the skiers describe fairly icy conditions, thin spots including a grassy area marked by cones in the stadium, and a pretty restricted area to ski. Hard corner also has a bald spot to avoid. No tracks. Snow guns are currently placed in hopeful locations in the stadium, let's hope the following nights get cold enough for the snowmakers and groomers to work their magic.

(Sara Zimmer)

After a week plus of above freezing temps and nearly two inches of rain over the past two days, the Spirit Mt trails look like the do in late March. Lots of ice, thin snow cover in lots of places and bare ground here and there. It looks like the hard working folks at Spirit Mt will need to start nearly from scratch to get things up and running again. Don't get discouraged Spirit Mt crew! Your efforts are and will be so appreciated by the whole Nordic community!

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

From Spirit Mountain Nordic Center Operations Update: "Sunday's forecast of near-certain rain and temps in the mid-40s has given us the need to make the difficult decision to close on Christmas Eve in order to maintain our snow base and to provide the best product for you, our guests. This includes alpine and Nordic operations."
Sounds like they hope to open again on the 26th.

(Sara Zimmer)

I skated at Grand Ave yesterday morning and today and conditions are about what you would expect. Snow-cone corn snow that was getting mashed-potato like on some corners later morning but holding up well otherwise. B skis for sure due to debris and some avoidable dirt. There is about 1.5K open now but, hopefully, with cooler temps, they can open up some more. Everyone out there smiling and just glad to be on their skis! Thanks Spirit for staying open during this crap weather to allow us some decent skiing. Happy Holidays to all.

(Thomas Heinitz)

Spirit survived the rain and is still in fairly good condition. A few easily avoided thin spots.

(John Jereczek)