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)

Groomed this morning. No classic as 4 inch snow with ice below. First skate was through to grass in spots. We were first classic.

(Stuart Knappmiller)

Conditions: Ungroomed but great crust skiing this morning at sunrise.
Nearly full coverage of 2" on the usual ~5k course. The refrozen crust on top worked well for skating. May be good tomorrow morning as well but that's probably if for a while.

(Ned Brooks)

Conditions: Nothing groomed.
There are some fairways that have a nice amount of snow. Classic skied today at noon making my own tracks. Skiing was good with temperature at 31 degrees. After second or third pass the track would ice up. The ground must be warm.

(Bill Stuber)