Trails generally in good condition. Restoration work still blocking one trail but there are lots of other options. I was able to ski up to the work area and enjoyed the view before turning back.

Photos:

(Ann Cohen)

Last night's snowfall made for reasonably good skiing in most of the park. We started from the south parking lot and skied counter clockwise around the park on the outside loop. There is a section that is closed that has no signs for that in the direction we skied. Consequently, avoid skiing up behind the school playing field bordering Century Ave. This section of the park is the only reason I mentioned B skis.

(Douglas Brown)

I went around the full outer loop. Two tracks are beautifully set and are very good... until you get to the top of the switchback. The County is doing major restoration work up there, trail is destroyed from top of switchback, 2/3rds of the way around to the north parking lot. I'm including some photos: first ones show the good tracks and the others the area of destruction. I think it's possible to get a good, short ski in if you stay on the inner trails.

Photos:

(Lincoln Fetcher)

Skied the easy classic trails this morning. Trails are groomed and ok, but debris in lots of areas, and they are cutting down trees on the eastern side so I took off my skis and walked until I got past it. I had also skied here last Saturday so I expected it, but it looks like they've cleared more since then. I probably won't come back until they get it cleared up.

Photos:

(Collette Swanson)

Double tracks have been set. There's the usual leaf/stick/bark debris, but it's still skiable. If you do the intermediate trails, you may want to ski downhill between the tracks. The major change is there is a massive logging project on the north side near the prairie and school. The trail is closed between map points #8-9, although you can take off your skis and walk. Sawdust abounds in this area. The trailhead at Upper Afton and Ferndale is nearly impossible to walk through.

Photos:

(Christina Mantel)

Warning! The back portion of this trail is not skiable due to natural resource restoration work. Hoping they will post some signage soon to let people know where not to go. It's too bad because this is normally a beautiful place to ski!

(Jessica Etten)

Trails are groomed and in fair condition. Tracks have been set. The north eastern loop is closed due to restoration work.

(Kristopher Lencowski)

Battle Creek East classic trail was at its best this afternoon. Green loop double tracks were well traveled but in great shape with plenty of cold dry snow everywhere. If you like classic skiing in a wooded area with only a few hills, this is a great spot in the east metro.

(Philip Rode)

While the snow wasn’t as firm as I’d hoped (a little scary on a few hills), the trails were in great shape and the weather was awesome. I was weary given the reports from the few days preceding, but I only saw one very slushy area that was not skiable. The trails must have been freshly groomed last night or this morning because I was the first to ski some sections. Classic tracks were not yet set. I look forward to coming back when they are.

Photos:

(Lauren Newbauer)

Trail has been rolled, but no classic tracks have been set. Skier-made tracks are in most places. There are some hiker tracks in the middle of the trail, but all of snowshoers I saw were keeping to the side of the trail. About a dozen skiers were out during the hour I was there. If you're looking for mostly flat or intermediate hills, give this wooded course a try! It can't be beat for urban beauty.

Photos:

(Christina Mantel)