Groomed classic tracks are shallow and often washed out. Leaves, sticks and grass showing only rarely. Skating trails look good. No ice.

(Eric Bressler)

Conditions were very good for skating, and there were set tracks. Much of the skate deck was still barely-touched corduroy at 3:30 pm, as very few people had been skiing until a high school team came to practice. There were a few areas of minor leaves and sticks, and a couple spots where a few small pieces of gravel had been churned up, but these were easily avoided if you pay attention.

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

I was pleasantly surprised by the snow conditions at French this morning. The groomers did an amazing job with what little snow we've had in the metro. They'd even set classic tracks which were in fair to good shape throughout, a little shallow at times, but still good considering. There were some occasional leaves and sticks in the track, but not bad! The skate deck was in good shape too. I only saw about three skiers taking advantage of the new snow--slightly different from the Hyland crowds!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

Pleasantly surprised to find classic tracks set around noon when I showed up. They aren’t perfect but the groomers did an amazing job considering the little bit of snow they had to work with. Grass showing in several places and the occasional rock was kicked up in 3-4 places but it was easy to get around. It was definitely a worthwhile ski with B or rock skis. Hopefully a little more snow falls this evening.

(Nils Wahlander)

Ok coverage in most places but a lot of rocks churned up on the up hills. A very real chance of hitting rocks in a few places.

Photos:

(Rick Budde)

All trails had nice sections of grooming and sections with rocks, large sticks, and leaves. Hills were in poor condition due to debris. Overall, good for a rock ski adventure on a very cold day.

(Anne McCulloch)

Thin cover, pole tips clicking on underlying asphalt regularly. Groomed trail side walls only about 1/2” and often washed out, with regular patches of leaves and sticks and a few rocks showing through. Skating path looked much better.

(Eric Bressler)

Three Rivers calling the trails fair is pretty charitable. I would rate them poor at best. All the trails are snow covered, but there is a lot of debris just under the snow. I made a set of B skis into some of my worst rock skis today. They were grooming when I was out. Skate deck only, no tracks set. Lagoon is barely skiable, both the climbs and the downhill sections had plenty of rocks and sticks under the snow, and the concrete curb was exposed in spots. The climb into and out of Lakeview had plenty of ski stoppers and exposed gravel. The rest of the trail was decent but very thin. Meadow and Medicine Lake were both good, no exposed rocks or sticks, and not much under the snow to grind into the ski. Skyview was okay but pretty thin, with the usual bad spot at the bump by the wetland. The climb on Challenge hill was good when I was there, but I saw kids sliding down it. The downhill section out of Challenge was surprisingly good.

(Steve Hum)

Rock ski conditions. Three Rivers trail page rated these conditions as fair and good. I hit four ski stoppers and took a serious gouge. Lots of debris and pavement just an edged push away. I took a chance on the report because the grooming at French is often miraculous. Not today. Another skier said the hillier trails were a little better (just one rough spot.) I wasn't willing to chance it at that point.

(Steve Casey)

Nice to get out on fresh snow at French at 12:00. Fair to decent tracks and it appeared to be good skate. Tracks were variable-from a few dirt spots, washed out, to excellent. Still fun.

Photos:

(Diane Pattridge)