Stopped by this afternoon while the sun was shining. Great ski weather, not so great trail. Icy in the not-recently groomed areas. Lots of leaf debris which hid some minor dirt patches, so don't use your best skis. Nice to get out on the hills, would have stayed longer if I wasn't so protective of my good skis. Will try again after the next big snow.

Photos:

(Kate Karshna)

The 5K Silver Trail was groomed this morning. There were just a few segments were the tracks were reset. The existing classic tracks were holding up well. We did shovel some snow to cover exposed weeds and debris. Skate deck was worked to take out skate ruts and flatten out the trail. I would rate Battle Creek ok for good skis, for sure B skis.

(Bill Stuber)

The skate deck was firm with new cord and able to maintain a good edge. Walkers are doing their best ruin the trails. Also looks like an atv made a round as well. That said, the deck is in good shape with oak leaves and a few grass patches.

(Ethan Knuti)

Put a fresh comb on the Bronze and Silver trails this morning. Trail is in decent shape with a few bare spots that are avoidable. Enjoy!

(Mike Rohweder)

Battle Creek was amazing today. Great classic track throughout the whole system. A very few bare spots but easily avoidable. I used my favorite skis with swix extra blue wax and had great kick and glide. Need a good birkie or seeker workout? This is the best place In the Cities for big long climbs. I haven't seen it this good in years. A real treat! Heading back tomorrow!

(Ryan Atwell)

Groomed and track set on Bronze, Silver and ballfield. Lots of leaves, sorry, a very few slight bare spots; otherwise great conditions.

(Bill Kosfeld)

Ski games and the gold trail are freshly groomed: skate deck and classic track. The silver trail is skied in but has not been groomed since before the snow - loose snow on a firm deck.

(Karl Dewahl)

Skated every inch of Battle Creek, including Ski Games side, this morning in 15-degree moderate snowfall. The new snow kept things soft and a bit slow, but overall nearly everything was fine, leaves snowed over, deck mostly evened out. Classic tracks were of course filling with snow. My only reservation is that the Ski Games loop remains bumpy underneath the new snow. But it was great to be out at BC.

(David Moore)

Groomed the Ski Games but did not set a new classic track as it looked good. Also groomed the Gold where we set new classic track (see photos of the Gold trail) and it is excellent. Touched up the skate deck on the Silver/Bronze on the way back and it was also good except for more of the those darn oak leaves! Good skiing at BC West and hopefully more snow soon. High School ski meet Thursday late afternoon.

Photos:

(Dave Gorringe)

Excellent early season conditions at BC west. Noon hour outing in the sunshine and I skied the entire Bronze, Silver, Gold, and World cup trails. Good coverage with no bare spots on the skate deck, and a few grassy patches in the tracks were noted. Leaves and twigs yes, but nothing too annoying. Bronze, Silver, Gold sections were packed out well from skiers, and the World Cup extension to the south had 2" fresh snow covering the packed deck. So much fun to be on natural snow in early December.

(John Horns)