Como's Nordic trails have been closed for a couple of weeks now due to lack of snow. We've held off on starting critical tree removals in the hopes that more snow would come, but now we cannot wait any longer and need to begin removing the 175 affected trees before the ground thaws completely. Work will begin this week on the north half of the course and next week on the south half. All the work is weather dependent and will take at least two weeks. We will post an update if we are able to groom the trail again with fresh snow and cold temps after the tree work is complete, but Como is likely closed for the season. Currently it is unsafe and unwise to try skiing at Como, please go elsewhere. We apologize for any inconvenience.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Due to the warm temperatures and rain Como ski trail will be closed until further notice. There's a combination of bare ground, standing water, and ice all along the course making it unskiable. Please go elsewhere to ski until we get new snow and cold temperatures. We will post an update once conditions improves and the trails are open again.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Fine morning for a couple of laps for an early lunch. Some lingering fog in the air, the sun working on burning that off. A bit crusty yet, but the timing was good as the skate lane was starting to loosen up ever so slightly. Fast down the hills, quick steps around the hairpins, easy glide, light touch over the ruts. Lovely morning. How did it get to be the middle of March already?

(Walter Ebertz)

The thaw is taking away the base very quickly. Melt will continue for at least the next week unless it drops below freezing at night. If it does refreeze it will be icey and rutted. We do not have enough to groom as some bare spots are already showing and growing each day. If you need groomed trails you may have to head to one of the manmade loops in the area. Otherwise keep an eye out for rocks and ruts and Como may work for you for a couple more days. We will not groom until we get more snow and temperatures are holding below freezing. We will post once the trails are officially closed or if conditions improve.

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(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Very nice skating before noon - a little powder on top of a firm deck. Met Roy Carlsted skiing with his hairies and and he gave the classic good marks. Sadly, this isn't going to last long.

(Russ Ludeke)

Classic skied late afternoon, temps in the upper 20s. The course has taken a good pounding, with the classic tracks ranging from washed out to decent. The skate lane looked a bit hard packed, but not icy. There were a number of very thin sections, especially up on top of the hills, and some icy sections in the classic tracks under the trees. After a gold-standard day at Woodland Sunday, Como was tough swallow on Monday. But I don't blame the grooming, most of the conditions appear to be due to the traffic volume Como is handling.

(Bruce Adelsman)

Trail is firm and pretty fast and fun to ski - get out there if you are wavering. A little dodgem with wrong way skiers made it unusually interesting skiing. There were a few tiny icy patches and the grass poked through in spots but are easily avoided. Trail is set for 5K. To avoid the chaos at the pavilion parking lot, park at the conservatory and drop in through the gap in the fence at the green. (Wouldn't it be great if the whole park were tracked?)

Photos:

(Ronald Okenfuss)

As would be expected: on hilltops and other places with long wind fetch, the trails were scoured to just a thin layer above ice, whereas in other areas drifts covered the trail. Still quite skiable though. The high school teams racing didn't seem to be phased by the ice. Classic tracks had been set but were pretty completely blown in.

(Lois Braun)

Skied como this morning at about 7 am. The trails were pretty beat up, but there were no bare spots and it was nice to be out. There didn't seem to be any classic tracks recently set, but it was quite skiable. Overall I was pleasantly surprised.

(Meg Thomas)

All trails groomed and nice. Soft deck for skating. Some diag. trails set and some are either not set or wiped out. Some thin spots on hilltops but very skiable. Lots of people out at 5 p.m.

(Michael Darger)