Thin and hard pack; no ice. Decent coverage. Classic track good for 85% of course; grass showing in other places. Used hard wax.

(Ralph Schwartz)

Conditions: Grooming will have to wait...
Grooming will unfortunately be suspended until more snow arrives.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Conditions: Good skate deck and classic tracks with scattered debris and grass sections.
I had a nice ski this afternoon at Phalen. The course has has a lot of use, but it is holding up very well. It is not hard-packed or glazed but still gives a nice edge to the ski. I even rode a few sections of corduroy on the trail's edge - nice! Classic tracks have been set throughout but range from good to poor, so be prepared for some hopping in and out. Other tracks have also been skied in around the course, and were in use by a number of skiers today. The trail ranged from really good in many places (reminded me of Phalen races) to marginal where thin snow cover has given way to grass and leaf debris. There are a few areas that clearly cross the cart paths and are thin but not yet a problem. The west portion of the trail that runs parallel to Arcade St. has a few spots where a ski has dug down to pavement, but I'd still be comfortable with B skis at this point.

Photos:

(Margaret Adelsman)

Skating - while there is a lot of very good snow, the frequent thin, dirty, and tree-littered spots makes rock or B skis an attractive choice.

(Russ Ludeke)

Conditions: Mostly good for skating. Fair to good classic.
The skate deck was groomed this morning. Some debris on the trails as well as small sections with grass poking through. Classic tracks looked fair to good. Enjoyable ski this morning. It was well worth going.

(Ethan Knuti)

Conditions: The skate deck is wide and firm. The classic tracks are good overall, grooved cleanly but with some and debris showing through in places. The groomed course is excellent for skating and is long and winding. Thumbs up to the groomers for making the most of available snow.
Nice to ski on an uncrowded trail.

Photos:

(George Wawro)

Conditions: 99% coverage for the skate deck. Only about three or four spots with grass showing through. Easily avoidable. Classic tracks are set but lots of grass showing through.
Beautiful skate at Phalen today. The current course is set for 6.2 km. A little shorter than usual. Don't need to recommend B skis - A skis are fine.

(John Baker)

Conditions: Good, firmed up, only a few thin spots.
Out sharing Phalen with a few others this afternoon. Runkeeper tells me the course is 6.3 K this season. Thanks for a great first ski!

(Stefan Theimer)

Conditions: Beautiful but slow.
Groomed, a few people had been out skating and a couple making the classic track. It was lovely at 5 pm. The snow was a little soft. Be careful crossing the paved paths, the snow in some of those spots is thinner. I didn't see and bare spots but no grab with poles. Holiday lights are still out so this a beautiful ski.

Photos:

(Sara Reller)

Conditions: Soft and slow skating, but very skiable.
Classic track is washed out in spots, skate deck hasn't set up. Half dozen skiers out enjoying the day.

(John Elling)