All trails groomed this morning. Lots of icy sections--especially on Ski Games trail from frozen footprints. Prairie has the thinnest cover; better in the woods but still need to beware of ice and bare spots. Overall, rate conditions as fair-minus. Skied-in classic track is firm; also several iced sections.

(Bill Kosfeld)

With the warm temps all day Friday, we ask that you stay off Battle Creek ski trails until it cools down on Saturday morning. We plan on resuming grooming a few hours after it stays below freezing. Thank you.

(David Gorringe)

The parts of trail in the woods are in good condition. However, be careful on the big downhill on the way back to the stadium area, I got a really deep gouge in one of my skis from a hidden rock in a rutted section.

(Nathan Orf)

Scarified the skate deck throughout the system including the Bronze, Silver, Gold, World Cup and Ski Games. Tracks were not reset due to need for more snow. Tracks in quite good shape except for the usual washed out areas and in open areas where grass is evident, but easily avoided. Very good coverage on all trails although the base is thin in some spots.

Photos:

(Doug Schumacher)

According to Ramsey County Parks website: Trails are closed due to lack of snow.

(Quentin Ikuta)

Wow, I'd forgotten how hilly Battle Creek is! What a great workout! :) I did two laps of the Gold, and was pleasantly surprised how skiable the trails are. Don't get me wrong, it's rock skis for sure, but given that we've had so little snow and that hikers are frequently on these trails, I'd say the grooming crew has done an exceptional job. As the groomers pointed out, the open sections are in fair to poor condition and require some attention to avoid grass/pebbles, but most of the wooded areas I would say are in good condition, with a few sections that are fair due to the thin base, and one short section at the top of a climb that is poor (it's essentially solid, thin ice). Definitely get out and enjoy the trail while you can - I had a great time here today!

(Shawn Dodds)

We scratched up the Bronze, Silver and Gold trails this morning. Very thin base but almost 100% coverage in the woods where you could use your good skis. A few dirt spots in the open prairie area, thus the B ski rating. The classic track is still quite good and does not look icy. Battle Creek is very skiable right now including the downhills. We will not be doing a lot of grooming since the base is so thin. We sure could use more snow! We did not groom the Ski Games side.

(David Gorringe)

Not recently groomed, so snow was fine but packed, so hard to grip. Icy in areas where there is sun. Some hikers on ski trails. Classic and skate trails.

(Christina Ewig)

Gorgeous day, perfect wax, but unfortunately the skate trails have been completely trashed by walkers and snowshoers. Classic trails looked to be in pretty good shape, was wishing I had brought my other skis. Even though the trails were rough, it was still a great day to get out!

(Amber Glawe)

Bronze, Silver and Gold trails smoothed out a bit. Conditions in the woods are pretty fair; prairie/open spots very marginal. Single track is in fair condition also. Short loop packed, with a track, on the ballfields.

(Bill Kosfeld)