I agree with the Three Rivers rating of fair. It's definitely worth going out, just be prepared for some icy sections. The trails were groomed today but there are icy sections and a fair amount of sticks (this is why I said B skis). The Island Trail and the trail leading out to it would be poor-to-fair, with icy sections and was the least enjoyable part of the ski. Also, the first 200 yards of the trail is very icy but don't let this deter you as it gets better. Be prepared for the downhills as they are fast and you might have to dodge a few sticks and possibly an icy spot or two. The trails are still very skiable and the icy/crusty conditions are only scattered throughout the trail.

(Nick Raisanen)

Classic skied the entire course using my good skis. Tracks in good shape. Some scattered oak leaves and a couple thin spots but nothing that made me get out of the tracks.

(Kathy Bjornson)

Skied everything but Evergreen. Skate deck was nice and firm and the classic track looked good. Occasional spots of dirty snow, most are easily avoidable, but there is some gravel mixed into with the snow right at the merge of Fairway and Prairie that was hard to avoid. Otherwise really nice conditions.

(Steve Hum)

Both skate and classic were awesome. Classic tracks were perfect mix of good glide and good kick with blue hard wax, so you can kick some glide even on climbs. Really fun skiing. A bit of dirt showing in a couple places but easy to avoid.

(Pete Thurmes)

Skated around the Island-Fairway loop in the early afternoon. Really beautiful conditions, nice temperature, sunny, lots of people having fun. The trails were in great shape, plenty of snow coverage. The snow had some give but not too bad and was worth the cost. The tracks seemed pretty good in general from what I saw; they seemed set pretty well and holding up.

(Kristian Markon)

Most of trails are very good, well groomed. Island trail has many more bare spots that are avoidable. Hikers on the trail today. No tracks.

(Scott Engstrom)

Skated outermost loop from before noon on, temps high 20s to low 30s. Very good coverage, even transition to Island Trail, very little dirt showing through. Groomed yesterday, skate deck often firm and a little choppy, but also seemingly wider as I saw no tracks set on the trails beyond the Fairway start! A great day for skiing, the trails pretty much deserted (we saw two other skiers?). Used B skis, but really, could have used good skis.

(Richard Swenson)

Great conditions at Baker. Grooming report says poor but conditions are at least fair if not better in some spots. Firm skate deck and no track set. Can’t recall any bare spots that would damage skis. Wind blown and icy in a few spots only at the top and along the golf course sections. Low sections through the wetlands to Island and Timber trails are uneven and thin. Get out there!

Photos:

(Tyler Thompson)

Skated the Fairway-Island loop. I'd say the trails were in fair to good condition overall. The wind was a significant factor. The wind created notable snowdrifts in spots, and also some areas where it seemed recent snow had been blown away to reveal thinner older icier coverage underneath. Most of the trails, especially those out of the wind, had very good coverage and were in good shape except some minor leaf litter. In spots exposed to the wind, there were some areas of grass barely covered by snow. Nothing that couldn't be skied around but also enough to maybe be cautious. Hopefully over the next couple of days as the wind dies down these bare spots and snowpiles can get evened out. It was fun to be out despite the cold blustery wind.

(Kristian Markon)

A nice firm skate deck all along the island and fairway trail loops with conditions improving with each bit of new snow we get. The building is open for warming, bathrooms and snacks / drinks too!

(Cliff MacLeod)