These classic-only trails through the woods give shelter from the winds. Blowing snow started drifting in the tracks in the easternmost prairie bowl soon after the groomer went through. Signs for walkers have changed from "no walking on groomed trails" to "not permitted on ski tracks." Beyond the trail between the two parking lots (near the dog park) are fewer footprints on the classic tracks.

Photos:

(David Byrne, Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club)

The trails appeared to have fresh grooming this morning and shortly beyond the McKnight parking area the conditions were excellent. The debris in the track was minimal prior to the wind which was starting to pick up.

(Bob Bickford)

My son and I had a fun ski here today despite a lot of footprints on the tracks. Apparently walking and snowshoeing is now permitted here on the side of the trail, so that doesn't make anything better. The further away you get from the main Parking lot, the better the trail gets. Do yourself a favor and park In the lot or a street that is not the main parking lot by the dog park. The parking lot is covered in ice (several people wiped out) and it's the closest to the worst part of the trail. (Because of people walking on the trail) Tracks are fast and mostly well formed and there's not too many leaves on the trail. I would say the tracks are fair to good condition depending on your distance from the main parking lot. I'm glad I went. This is my favorite trail in the area. Pics are of the best parts of the trail.

Photos:

(Emily Benson)

My daughters and I had a lovely classical ski this afternoon! We did the a 1.65 mile green loop. It was perfectly groomed and we had a nice gradual downhill to end the course.

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(Amy Meyers)

Excellent conditions and the ski tracks continue to be in very good shape. The western part of the loop, between the north and south parking lots have foot tracks but no significant damage to the tracks. There were a few leaves in trees areas but not enough to be a problem. Photo is in an open area below the hill that was cleared last year. It was just starting to get soft.

Photos:

(Lincoln Fetcher)

Well groomed, but unfortunately poor conditions because many human foot tracks take over the ski trails for the entire beginning loop. Looks as if a group of people walked on trails as a walking path. I was here yesterday and trails did not have these.

(Lindsey Schmitt)

Trails are well-used what with this lovely weather, but still in generally great condition; track integrity is mostly good except on a few hillier spots. Very few leaves in the tracks. A little crust in areas exposed to all-day sun. Simply gorgeous out there!

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(Vince King)

Excellent conditions! Groomed & both tracks set, probably Thursday. Tracks still in great condition with very little foot traffic damage and no leaves in them. Parts of the outer loop appeared to have only been rolled but I did a shorter loop today and took the trail at the bottom of the newly cleared hill on the north side. Photos are a good representation of the conditions.

Photos:

(Lincoln Fetcher)

Good to very good. Beautiful late afternoon to sunset ski. Thank you snow gods! And thank you Ramsey Co Parks Department. This is such a beautiful park with great trails. Outer loop (paved) trails were in better condition than the inner (unpaved) trails, although some wash out in a few spots and poling was a bit tricky where snowshoers got too close to the tracks. Snow was soft and a bit slow. Inner loops were mostly in good shape, but the south end of the western ridge trail was not so great - only one track that in places looked like it was just skied in, not actually groomed, and trail intersections were pretty choppy. Another grooming would be great. But you can't beat BCE for a beautiful ski in the metro, especially right now with all the snow on the trees.

Photos:

(Ginny Yingling)

Fair to very good. Outer loop trail(on the paved paths) was good to very good - some leaves and some walker tracks but the classic tracks are in remarkably good shape (yay groomers!). The NW part near the parking area was fair - walkers have really chewed it up. The inside (unpaved) loops were good to very good, especially the ridge line trails. Skied at 3:30 and except for the deer herd, I had the trails to myself. Excited for fresh snow tomorrow!

(Ginny Yingling)