I used my Salomon Grip 9 Waxless instead of my skins. The grip pattern really couldn't get much purchase on the ice, but were fairly fast on the flats and downhills "sounded like a swarm of bees. I started off at schultz but only did about 5k because kick was so poor. Tracks at least are keeping their shape. B skis because of the icy conditions.

(Rick Vatsaas)

Classic skiing, starting out at Schultz Lake Visitor Center, very icy. Some sunny areas beginning to get mushy but in tact because of low traffic. Recommend getting out mid-morning. Don't recommend beginners.

(Christine McMichael)

Skied the skate trails, west of Pilot Knob Rd. Hard packed and groomed. Fast conditions and wicked downhill turns. Some debris in morning. Mountain bike course cuts across ski trails so keep your eyes open for bikers.

Photos:

(Eric Spieler)

Another beautiful day at the best hidden gem in the Twin Cities. Tracks were crisp but unfortunately getting very leafy, especially on the northern trails. saw lots of ski tourists on the trails, and no signs of walkers, which is even better. I skied both sides of Pilot Knob. Snow is pretty dirty under the Pilot Knob bridge, so removing skis is advised.

Photos:

(Rick Vatsaas)

Great afternoon for ski at Lebanon Hills. My wife Cindy and grandson Nathaniel joined me. We started at the Visitor center skiing west to marker 32. Nathaniel and I skied up the big hill then back down to 40 where we met up with Cindy. From there we cut over to the beginner loop to help Cindy build her self confidence after recovering from her shoulder injury. We then went back to the Visitor Center so I could drop off a single boot ice cleat I found at marker 36. Next we skied on east thru the pines around Marsh lake then left Cindy to double back thru the pines while Nathaniel and I skied the eastern most loop. We then joined back up with Cindy and skied back to 56 where we again left Cindy to ski thru the pines around Marsh Lake while Nathaniel and I skied out to 38 then doubled back at 42 to meet up with Cindy. Found the ski trails to be in great condition with firm tracks after being groomed just the other day. Leaf litter in woods but ski tracks in the open were perfect. Great job again by the groomer.

Photos:

(John Gamlin)

Trails appear to have been re-groomed early today or yesterday in preparation for the weekend. I just skied in the areas east of Holland, but I found the trails to be pretty crisp. Since oak leaves have been falling since the last snowfall, there are places where leaves are ground up into the base, and more leaves are on top of the trail. The best sections are where the trail is more open. Temperatures were around zero. I used Toko Blue Glider and Start Terva Black for Kick.

Photos:

(Rick Vatsaas)

Great conditions. Skiing from 120th St. to the Cliff Rd. Visitor center and back. Bundle up, it's very cold.

(Jeffrey Duggan)

Skied the classic trails west of Pilot Knob. Excellent condition, although very hard pack and slippery. You'll need some grippy kick wax. Some leaves and tree debris in tracks, but not too bad. May want to bring scraper along if you get some woody debris caught up in your kick zone.

Photos:

(Ken Kuznia)

Wow! I've been skiing Lebanon for close to 30 years and this is the best I have seen it! I headed out about 8:30 pm hoping to get in a maybe 5k, but it was so fast I did the full out side loop and set a personal best. Tracks were firm and fast. there a few leaves (and a few deer droppings) molded into the tracks, particularly on the Northern side of the trails. But overall, it was beautiful. Not even one boot track that I saw.

Photos:

(Rick Vatsaas)

Great ski this afternoon at Lebanon Hills Park. I skied east from the visitor center parking thru the pines along Marsh Lake then along the eastern most trails. Turning then south and west thru the southern fields to marker 7 which leads to Jensen Lake. Here I turned back west and proceeded along the northern most trails along Holland lake. At marker 32 I turned north again and proceeded up the big hill and back down to marker 40 (the downhill ski was fast and fun). At 40 I turned back east and proceeded thru the central trails back to marker 7 returning to the visitor center via the central trails. I found the ski trails to be recently groomed and tracks to be deep and firm. Trails were fast especially the downhills. Some leaf litter especially in woods.

Photos:

(John Gamlin)