Ungodly spectacular sunrise ski on the snowmaking loops. Some new squiggles open on Green Meadow, plus the Twin Lake trail! Classic tracks (chef's kiss). I think I saw one oak leaf. Many thanks to the snowmakers, groomers, Loppet Foundation, and everyone involved. Buy your ski passes, my friends!

Photos:

(Amy Myrbo)

A few soft or grass/bare spots but overall a beautiful morn for skiing! Did tornado alley, wirth lake loop, and bridge trail. First ski of the year! Busy morn when we were leaving!

(Sara Zanussi)

After spending most of the morning on the natural snow trails at South Wirth, I checked out the snowmaking loop, and it is now expanded to about 3.5K with the full Twin Lakes woods loop open, which was a nice addition. The rest of the man-made loop is still closed for snow-making. Excellent classic tracks and nice wide skate deck as always on the man-made loop. And, the best part was the lunch and beverages at Mill Valley Market!! There are plenty of well-stocked fire pits to stay warm while enjoying warm food and drinks after a long ski - highly recommended.

(Bill Oyler)

Another great morning for getting some loops in. I stayed on the made snow loop but after reading that South Wirth is groomed will check that out next. The deck this morning had been groomed but was obviously fresh and so was very soft. It was still great skiing and just made for some extra work, and the uphills were no more choppy than the flats. The downhills had snowplowing marks but with the huge base and the fresh snow, nothing has been icy. It started getting crowded before I left, with a few groups of skiers out there.

(Dan Boody)

Tornado alley is in great shape. Bridge over Bassett Creek is a bit thin at the ends. Skyline has some thin grassy spots so I'm recommending B skis. No sugar on the manmade loop.

(Spencer Davis)

Started just before the sunrise. Beautiful sky and beautiful snow. The fresh snow was fantastic on top of the made snow. It didn’t break down at all over the 90min or so I was out. Everything was solid, not too fast and not too slow. Felt more like some northern trails. There was even still a little corduroy left when I wrapped up.

(Dan Boody)

Incredible Sunday for skiing at Wirth! The man-made snow loop (still 2.4K) is in perfect shape for classic and skate skiing, as always. I ventured across the parkway to the natural snow trails and found them to be a lot of fun (and not nearly as crowded as the man-made loop). I used rock skis, but B skis would be fine for nearly all of the natural snow trails. Don't be discouraged by the windblown spots and some grassy spots on the Front 9/Skyline Trail... it gets better as your venture further down the trail and into the woods. The Tornado Alley trail is in quite good shape, and even under the Highway 55 bridge it is possible to ski without causing damage to the skis. Skate skiing is ideal for the lower snow depth, as there is not enough depth to set official classic tracks. However, there are intermittent skier-made classic tracks and there is just enough snow to make for decent classic striding if you don't mind not having deep tracks. If you venture further south to the South Wirth natural snow trails, they are even better!

(Bill Oyler)

It was great to be on natural snow! Skating was fast and firm. Felt really good to be out and training for the Birkie! Lots of people out. As I was walking back to the car in the far lot, I thought this was good training for post Birkie, walking like a zombie to the changing tents.... Ah good memories! Wish they would add more parking spaces, love to see all the people out using the park.

(Kevin Lyons)

Natural trails on Skyline and JD Rivers firmed up nicely and skied great. There were a few sections that were windblown down to the grass, but nothing to slow you down too much. Skiing under 55 is possible but use caution. Wirth lake is not groomed. Thanks groomers for an awesome Christmas morning ski.

(Erik Hendrickson)

Firm hard tracks, but slow because of the cold, 6 degrees and gorgeous sun. Fun to enjoy the sun. Good holiday fun. Just the man made snow loop was groomed.

Photos:

(Diane Pattridge)