The City of Saint Paul will begin falling trees as early as Friday, February 16th. When this work begins the trail will become unsafe to ski and will be closed to everyone. If we can get a more precise start date and time I will get it posted on here. We are sorry for the inconvenience but we have to remove close to 300 trees before the frost leaves the ground. We will continue to groom Highland-9 as long as conditions allow for it.

(Tyler McKean, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

Still in pretty good shape. Classic tracks shallow, but very skiable. John, Lyle and I classic skied but we all thought the skate deck looked really good, not the boilerplate like at some places, but nice loose snow. Half a dozen thin/dirt spots easy to see and avoid.

(Carol Fitzgerald)

Phalen continues to be in great shape with the skate deck freshly groomed and classic tracks set. There are half a dozen or so bare spots in the classic track and a couple of bare spots in the skate deck that are easily avoided. If you are comfortable avoiding those spots, bring your A skis.

(Greg Loper)

Nice classic track set. Beautiful snow with only a few patches of grass under pine trees. Seems like Phalen got more snow than some other places in the metro.

(Kathy Bjornson)

The Phalen course has seen a large number of skiers on both the skate deck and the classic tracks. Both, while firm, are in great shape (with the usual bare spots.) The classic tracks are getting faster and are well set. The bare spots are easy to see and avoid. We are seeing truly great conditions!

(Greg Loper)

Phalen is in phenomenal shape. Classic track is set for the entire course and has hardened but isn't icy. With continued use, I expect it to get faster and faster! There are a few small easily avoided spots where the ground is poking through. If you are willing to avoid them, go ahead and use your A skis. The skate deck is in superb shape as well with only a few icy spots that could result in ski damage. Props to our grooming crew who have really outdone themselves on this course!

(Greg Loper)

The Vulcans are losing at Phalen! The trails were freshly groomed this morning and classic tracks set. The snow is awesome with only a few spots of bare ground at predictable locations. The course is as good as it has been this year. Since nothing else is going on today, take advantage of the great job done by our groomers at Phalen.

(Greg Loper)

The wind has blown snow into the classic tracks and across the skate deck at Phalen. This has eroded the snow down to the underlying ice on the deck in a few predictable places. It has also nearly filled in the classic tracks. Following the course is a touch challenging as it all but disappears at times. Please be careful as the wind chill is pretty significant.

(Greg Loper)

The groomers worked their alchemy on the trails at Phalen and turned them into white gold! They worked the new snow to perfection with only a few small trouble spots in the skate deck and some easily avoided spots in the classic track. The course has been shorted on the south end to avoid areas that were of particular problem. The course is fast and very enjoyable. I tend to be very conservative on ski ratings so I am probably a bit too cautious with my B ski rating. In short, the snow is great, be careful of small trouble spots but enjoy!

(Greg Loper)

With the thaw and subsequent freeze, Phalen is quite icy. There are spots in which the skate deck is translucent ice and others where bare ground is visible. The classic track is very fast (except where you run over oak leaves that have more adhesion than klister.) Overall there is good snow cover just be prepared for icy conditions and bare spots. I may be cautions in recommending rock skis vs. B ski so use your judgement.

(Greg Loper)