Beautiful morning ski with the sun rising and snow guns blowing. A good size crowd out, not crowded on the trails except for some packs of skiers passing through from time to time. Fast conditions with one or two hard/icy sections (mostly in the stadium).

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(Bruce Adelsman)

The 1.4K loop was in ideal condition this morning for both classic and skate skiing - firm, fast, and deep tracks, faster than expected given the cold temps. The snow-making elves were busy working on the snow-guns, and it looks like a there is quite a nice start for the Green Meadow loop. Really clean snow - "A" skis are no problem. It is fun to catch an epic sunrise at the top of Jim's Hill, and to see the Trailhead shining in the distance with the Christmas lights. I can't think of a better place to get your busy work-day started! Thanks to the Loppet crew for making it happen!

(Bill Oyler)

Good group out skiing this morning at Wirth. Fast, firm deck for 80% of the loop. The guns were blowing fresh snow on the lower stadium area so that section had about an inch of fresh, wet snow which was really slow. Same 1.5K loop as before, but the guns are blasting away, so I think we should have more trail open soon. Heard from staff that the Meadow is the next section to open, so hopefully this week.

(Bill McKinney)

Real good coverage on the trail. There was a lot of sugar on the trails. I really like the loop that's open now and I look forward to more trail opening.The last couple time I have been out in the evening the parking lot across the street is near empty by 6PM. Hot loop 6:30 on storage wax.

(Steve Dolan)

Skied about 7pm. Total sugar, barely anyone on the trails. On the bright side, blowers were making snow at full blast!

(Karl Brine-Doyle)

Skied late morning and paid the price -- trails were pretty sugary on the hills and even some flats. Still, plenty of snow, a good mix of skiers (but not crowded), and temps in the upper 20s made for a good ski.

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(Bruce Adelsman)

Snow guns in place to extend to meadows, power and water were almost setup. More snow to come soon!

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(Eric Sumner)

I started skiing the Theodore Wirth Park trails Friday after 7 p.m. The conditions were solid, especially considering the traffic I'm sure there was throughout the day. The skate deck felt fairly fast and firm other than a few places where the sugar had built up. I was using my freestyle C skis, an old pair of Atomic Betas which are in desperate need of some glide wax. I attempted a few hot laps, with my fastest being a 4:19.

(Blaze Fugina)

Conditions: Fast snow, starting to break down throughout the day and turn to sugar. Firm on the edge of the trail. 6 Lap Individual TT. Double Pole Only on my Madshus Propulsion Skis (DP skis) 22:30, Fastest lap 3:27 (new classic PR) Toko NF Red (Now Called Toko Base Performance Red). I opted to double pole but I warmed up on classic skis with Rex Purple Klister (ironed in and cooled) covered with Rode VO hardwax. Skied out of the tracks trying to fine the fastest/icy snow.

(Brian Gregg)

Both Trailhead parking lots nearly full at 8 AM, but plenty of room on the sugary but very clean and fast manmade loop. Awesome hills, both up and down. Classic tracks were great, and there was not much competition for them except young'uns double-poling uphill :D. I clocked a 9 minute lap, yeeah! Many thanks to the Loppet Foundation and its people for making this possible, and here's to a few days of subfreezing temps!

(Amy Myrbo)