Skied many of the trails and have to say that they are in the best condition I have encountered in a long time. They are normally great out here....today they were exceptional. The groomers do such an good job and the skate deck is solid with only very minor tree debris (I removed most twigs, but much of the trail system is heavily wooded and subject to more at any time). The only major trail loops I wasn't on were the White Tail (red) and Trout Brook (purple) loops. Several downhill portions can be fast so be cautious. The only real icy spot I encountered was at the Willow Falls ascending to the top of the big hill where foot traffic is permitted. The deer are also curious so be cautious for them. I saw at least 9 deer on this trip through and they can be curious and not move for you, or in other cases, make quick movements and startle a skier. As far as skis...virtually any will work...good, B, rock, etc...simply get out and enjoy!

(Gary Simon)

All of the trails have been groomed after Saturday's snowfall. The warm weather has settled the snow on the skate deck. With the exception of the Red Trail, everything has been tracked. The Red Trail should be tracked early Tuesday morning.

(David Thofern)

All classic tracks are pretty much washed out from the beach and around the campground. Until they are tracked again, it was pretty much real slow going.

(Scott Nelson)

The park received another 5". All trails were packed,widened and flattened Sunday. Skate deck looked very good but was soft but setting up overnight. Tracking will commence on Monday.

Photos:

(Bob Richardson)

The park received about 6 inches of new snow. All trails were packed and then groomed and tracked. This should be the best skiing of the season.

(David Thofern)

Orange Trail. Beautifully groomed and tracked. Really nice glaze in tracks and corduroy skate deck. Get out and celebrate in honor of our USA XC women's ski teams Gold Medal!

Photos:

(Ginny Ballantine)

All of the trails were groomed and tracked Tuesday evening. The new snow and ice resulted in surprisingly good track. The skate deck should be fast once the grooming sets in.

(Dave Thofern)

One of the grooming tow vehicles is out of action for repairs including a new drive belt. Once repaired, the snowmobile needs to run 25 miles without towing any load in order to break in the new belt (Bearcat.) This may leave the grooming team with one tow vehicle, thus lengthening the next grooming process. It depends on how quickly parts arrive, when the snow/wind stops, and if the belt break in miles have been driven.

(Jeff Bolte)

All skate decks got re-groomed and they are still icy, but better than not having been groomed. Tracks back in the woods are fast but still okay. Out in the open they are glazed.

(Jeff Roberts)

This was just a quick test tonight of the muscle pull from a week ago. At the boat launch, the classic track is shallow but solid. Thats the good news. The highly transformed snow was very fast on my slowest modern skis. The glazed track was rocket fast. Both situations had sticky oak leaves frozen into the track. I am describing a trail section that has gradient, not a genuine hill. Rocket fast and randomly sticky. On two good legs, I would have done the same thing, test and leave. The time to be there was perhaps during the daylight on softer snow. New snow is needed. The entire system did get groomed and tracked recently, with the Silver trail side done today. All of the grooming team at Willow are volunteers and all are skiers.

(Jeff Bolte)