Another beautiful day! Our core loop is open and freshly groomed, and snow making is underway to fill in some of the thin spots on the Big Bend section and good headway has been made in the roller coaster section! Snow is a little soft with the warm temps as of recent, but still skiing great.

(Erik Blow)

Five snow guns going full speed! Went for a walk to check out the snowmaking situation on the upper sections of the GANC trails. Was excited to see 5 guns blowing snow! Big piles forming just waiting to settle a bit and then be pushed out by our trail artist Eric Blow and his crew. With the leaves off the trees it was easy to see great views of the St Louis River from many vantage points on the upper trail. Can't wait to ski the S-Curve...will be a section of the course that high school skiers/racers will love/respect for many years to come.

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)

Snow is still grooming out well despite the high temps! Stadium and 800m loop have been groomed with 4 tracks on either side of the stadium and 2 tracks on the trails. We pushed into the upper loop, so there is some new territory to venture into, but it is minimal coverage with some snowmaking infrastructure to get around. Take caution if you check it out, there are no tracks set in the narrow spots yet.

Photos:

(Erik Blow)

More of the trail opened today. I'd estimate an extra 150 - 200 meters, which includes more climbing. Well groomed for skate, but no classic tracks set.

Photos:

(Brian Markes)

Stadium and trails were groomed this morning both skating deck and tracks. Snow has held up well over the warm temps of the last few days, and last nights teens were a big help with the conditions. Everything is looking in awesome shape!

(Erik Blow)

Since my first winter of ski coaching, the winter of 1990-91, I have waited for this day. today was the day that I skied with my team on a Nordic ski trail in Duluth Minnesota with full professional snowmaking on it. It was glorious. Its a short loop only about 800 m but you can see how much it is going to be to when fully expanded. Grand Avenue Nordic Center is going to be one amazing ski trail. I can't wait to see the whole thing snowed in. I am one happy ski coach to have the option of getting my kids on skis when there's no snow to be found any where else in town. Thank you to all the people who made this happen Spirit mountain, City of Duluth, DXC and everybody was contributed to this project well done. One happy and thankful ski coach!

Photos:

(Dave Johnson)