Good to very good variable conditions in classic tracks. Starting to soften in sunny spots. Shady trail sections were firmer and often carried speed well. No bare spots and the deep base is holding up well. Rex gold klister was working well for me. I have finally figured out machine made snow and appropriate klister after moving back to Minnesota from Steamboat Springs, CO.

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(Scott Beattie)

At 10:45 am with 33 degree temperature, conditions were nearly phenomenal. Last Willow climb and first half of Scenic return climb had corn and sugar, respectively, to slow you; that's all. All the deer and people mud tracks are gone. I am sure it was my fastest skate of the year. I was working hard to accomplish that but the point is accomodating conditions were there to facilitate that. Thanks groomers for great conditions.

(Keith Carlson)

Fantastic morning conditions - fast, firm, but not icy! The perfect mix! A few small pebbles seen at the start of the Boulder Ridge climb, but easy to avoid.

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(Bill Oyler)

Firm and fast. Skied up through the foothills and back. I had no grip with the skin skis. Some of this is me as I know the skins need to be replaced but I had no grip on any hill. The skate deck was hard and fast with just enough snow on top for control. Should be an enjoyable ski if geared right.

(Scott Greymont)

After forgetting my boots and wasting an hour driving back home to retrieve them, I got on the trail about 10:45 am when it was about 37F degrees with brilliant sunshine. Despite my fears, the trail generally was not too soft. In fact, the Boulder climb was actually frozen corduroy on the upper half. Only the last Willow climb was wet corn that required me to herringbone it rather than skate it. All downhills remained fast with only a few soft spots. Thanks once again groomers.

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(Keith Carlson)

The base at Hyland is really holding up well. The classic tracks were in good shape with a little ice and slush. Heading up Challenge Hill was a challenge this morning with classic skis. No mashed potatoes here—very hard packed. Going down was much more pleasant! Great spring skiing on Feb. 1st!

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(Bill Lundberg)

Got out early to beat the heat. The trail firmed up nicely overnight. The tracks were near perfect and fast. Best classic ski of the year for me! Bummer it's only the man-made snow but the groomers are doing a great job with the glacier they have to work with.

(Richard Enz)

Really nice at 10am. Hardened up last night and reported as icy early but by mid morning it was perfect. Used HS10 Swix with some structure.

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(Kevin Wendland)

The skate deck was firm and fast around 6:45am. Decent even on Willow and Star. From the looks of it, the tracks were fantastic. A few spots with dirty deer footprints, so B skis are probably best. A huge thank you to the groomers for keeping the trails in fantastic condition -- I'll continue trying to get out early while it's below freezing and the snow is fast. Sign said the trails would be closed from 8am-5pm for Sectionals on Monday Feb 5 and Tuesday Feb 6. [ Check the high school racing calendar for a complete list of sectional meets, Feb 5-9 -- Ed. ]

(Conor Hussey)

At 10:00 N start, It was around 38F degrees. The trail was wet corn and thus very slow. I herringboned a lot of uphills. Downhills were still reasonably fast. Boulder had two lanes between relatively small snowplow wakes but it was still scary at the bottom as I step turned the final curve leading into the intersection with Scenic given the amount of speed I carried into it and the difficulty step turning in the wet corn. Given the conditions, l really felt for the high school racers who were competing there.

(Keith Carlson)