Skied all the natural trails. Thin layer of fresh snow made for fast conditions. Tracks were mostly in poor to fair shape at best. Not very deep and didn’t look like they’ve been groomed in days. Too bad since there was plenty of snow everywhere. Saw very few leaves and tree debris so no worries about using good skis.

(Dan Zenk)

Skied the snowmaking loop, then once around Lake and Hill natural snow trails. Snowmaking loop was perfect, as usual. The set tracks on Lake and Hill Trails were very good, with no ice or bare spots except one tiny little bit where the trail is near the west end of Hyland Lake. Skate deck seemed to be very good on the Lake and Hill trails, too.

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

I don't know about the south lake trail but the northern natural trail was pretty good. Could use a retrack as it is washed out on some of the corners. The snowmaking trail was perfect.

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(Scott Greymont)

BRRRRR! XC Skiing makes winters warmer! Trails are all packed, tracked and in good conditions except for Lake Trail is in fair conditions. Updated High school races: Wed. Feb. 10 at noon - 4 PM; Thurs. Feb. 11 at 2 - 4 PM; Fri. Feb. 12, 9 AM - 2 PM.  High school Sectional meets will be held on March 1st, 2nd and 3rd,  trails will be closed from 8 AM to 4 PM on these days.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Went out late morning with a couple extra layers. Skied most of the snow-making trails and the natural North Trail. Tracks on the snow-making trails were great. Icy in spots, but not as icy as I thought they might be. Apparently, the tracks were set a little close to the edge of the deck, but it didn't affect my ski much. The tracks on the natural North Trail were obviously shallower and there was a little bit of drifting, but in general in nice condition with no bare spots. Overall, I had a great time, once I was a couple miles in and the feeling returned to my fingers.

(Josh Yank)

Skate deck on the manufactured snow trails was firming up fine after the above-freezing temps yesterday. Plenty of snow and in great shape as usual, firm and fast. Classic tracks looked great. I did try the Lake Trail (natural snow) and I don't recommend it, at least not with good skis. I think there's not enough base to groom and so it's gotten rutted and there are a few rocks and a lot of sticks and leaf debris. Not an enjoyable skate, and I was fearing for my bases. Survived it with only one superficial scratch, fortunately.

(Jay Lyons)

I skied the man-made loop at 5:30 AM. The skate deck was amazing, firm, no ice....thanks to our fantastic grooming crew. Definitely fastest skate of the year based on skate deck, temperature and wax. 16 degrees F at start and I used Swix Green.

(John Nealon)

The snowmaking loop was in excellent condition. It was high 20's and overcast. I used FastWax Red LF. The parking lot was less than half full when I arrived at about 4:15. There was a dual meet but not that many spectators or competitors. There was less "sugar" than when the trail is more heavily trafficed. Got in a pretty fast run for me especially schuss from the top of Frogtown to the shack.

(Keith Carlson)

The main man-made loop was in good shape, pretty fast. Did North trail (natural snow). The base was still good, and the skate deck looked fine, but the tracks varied from ok to obliterated. In a few places there were user-made tracks that were somewhat better than the groomed ones. I had off track skis, which were fine, but I expect folks with standard touring non-wax skis could be skidding a lot.

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(Laurie Ford)

All trails are packed, tracked and in good conditions except lake trail's skating surface is in fair conditions. Trail hours are open and lighted from 5am - 10pm. High school races: Tues. Feb. 2, 2-5:30PM; Wed. Feb. 3 at 12:30 - 2:30 PM; Thurs. Feb. 4 at 3 - 5:30 PM; Fri. Feb. 5 at 2 - 4:00 PM.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)