Skied Lake, King, and Grimm Farm this afternoon. Conditions were predictable considering strong winds yesterday. Lots of tree litter in wooded areas and open areas had been blown down to ice. Trail is really starting to get thin in spots, most notable was along Parley Lake prior to the big climb. Hopefully more snow soon to revitalize things!

Photos:

(Zach Simpson)

Hard packed old grooming but acceptable. A few sticks and leaves and such but no rocks. Skied Nature, Sky, Lake, and Sugar Bush. Three Rivers staff member out with a survey to fill out concerning improving the park. You get a free activity pass if you complete the survey.

Photos:

(Kevin Wendland)

Parley Lake and Grimm were in good to very good condition. A few bare spots easily skied around, one spot of ice next to the lake and very hard packed on the "plateau" before you reached the archery range, otherwise fairly fresh corduroy the entire length. No bare spots on the downhills. It varied to somewhat moist snow in the sun to drier snow in the shade. It was around 31 degrees, sunny with a moderate southeast wind. I used FastWax Blue LF. There was nobody here at my 4:00 ski and it was nice day for skiing. Met one skier on the trail and saw two more at the trail head. There were probably more fat tire bikers on their separate trail then skiers. This was my first skate after a 18 day layoff recovering from a cold. I've played hockey twice, classic skied once and done the elliptical 2-3 times during that time but it wasn't enough to maintain my conditioning for skate skiing. 1 st couple of miles I maintained a six mph pace but by the time I I hit the return from the segment alongside the highway, my speed dropped off a lot. Last mile I did was less than 4 mph. Hope I can return to faster form and fully recover from my cold by next week.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

Thanks to the groomers at Carver for getting out early both yesterday and today! On classic skies both days but spent a lot of time on the corduroy because it was so delightful at 9am. Classic tracks were not "manmade-snow tracks" but they were fine. A little icy. Some of the best skiing of the year in unparalleled natural MN beauty.

(Emil Pedersen)

After warm temperatures from yesterday I was expecting icy conditions but the groomers came through. All trails freshly groomed for skate with a few icy and debris ladened patches. Stayed away from Grimm and King.

Photos:

(Kevin Wendland)

Classic skied the Lake and Sky trail. Pleasantly surprised at good conditions. Trails are skied out some and some leaf debris. But still a heck of a lot of fun and nice temperatures too!

(Sue Bradley)

Great overall on all the trails for skate. Tracks looked a bit worn in places. A few pieces of debris and dirty areas along Parley lake. Big downhill on King mostly ice with some grass sticking through. Glad I waited for the slightly warmer afternoon temps.

(Ben Fuller)

Skied Grimm which was fair. A few gravel areas but overall decent coverage. Finished up with lake and wished I hadn't - too worn and quite icy.

(Lorrie Parent)

Cover the tomatoes and come on out. -12F when I started but warmed to -7 by the time I left. Skied Grimm, Lake and Sky. Quite a bit of gravel and dirt showing on Grimm by the lake. No new grooming. Rex green was pretty fast as long as I kept the ski moving.

Photos:

(Kevin Wendland)

Skied the Grimm, Lake and Sky trails. Avoided the King due to the high winds. Overall pretty good. Grooming was from yesterday, so it was a little hard packed. Classic tracks were fine when I hopped in them.

(Kevin Wendland)