Skated the full loop and the Rolling Hills Meadow. Looks like it hasn't been groomed in a couple of days, especially worn on the first section, but don't be fooled. Further out I found the skate deck less worn and in nice shape. Classic track looked good as well. I didn't ski it, but saw one other skier on moving well on classics.

(John Kieselhorst)

Raced/Skied/Toured Marine O'Brien. Classiced the race and the tracks and skate deck were excellent for the outer loop. Plenty of snow. A great thank you for all the work they did to pull off the race! When it warms up enjoy this gem.

(Mike Cramer)

Classic skied the outer 12K loop and most of the rest. Most of the classic tracks have been scrubbed (I assume for Sunday's race). Hopefully they will be reset (be a long race without tracks...)? Lots of snow and the skate skiing looked perfect if a little soft in a few spots due to the active grooming.

(Jim Carlen)

All the trails are packed for skating, the main loop is set for classic. Terrific conditions although a bit of snow had drifted portions of the Prairie Loop. No icy spots, even the downhill after the railroad tracks has good snow coverage. There's a big race this weekend and things will be excellent.

(David King)

I skied the Marsh and Beaver Pond Loop, tracked for classic, really nice conditions. I'm not doing hills because of an injury so I can't comment on other trails.

(Patti Isaacs)

The trails at William O'Brien were excellent this afternoon. Much thanks to the team who made sacrifices to Mother Nature to resurrect the grooming equipment, then put in hours catching up for lost time. I skated almost every trail, while my partner did classic, and both were excellent as far as they had been groomed. Note that whereas all trails had been packed for skate, only the main loop and inner connector trails have been tracked so far. That is, Hardwood Hills, Rolling Hills Savanna, Prairie Overlook, and Wedge Hill Savanna had not yet been tracked. We were told that they will be soon, but maybe not for a day or two.

(Lois Braun)

Conditions at O'Brien were excellent this afternoon! All the trails are in pristine condition kudos to the groomers!

(Kelly Knaus)

All the trails are packed, tracked and groomed. Skiing was great. The trails will still need time to set up, right now the track and the skating deck are a bit soft. Lots of snow. Had a conversation with the assistant manager/groomer and his plan is to regroom again this week and again Saturday afternoon. With the cold temps coming the race course Sunday should be excellent.

Photos:

(Jim Smith)

The groomer is back from the shop and the trails are awesome! Thanks to the park for the quick repairs! Should be great conditions for the Marine O'Brien race this weekend.

(Christian Brekke)

Trails were not groomed. Those who were out classic skiing were really enjoying the snow but it was not a good time for those wanting to skate. We talked to some people at the trailhead and they said they were planning on grooming on Sunday in the morning.

(Elizabeth Loper)