The Pisten Bully has been out on all of our trails with the skate decks starting to level out. All trails are tracked for classic skiing. There are a few thin spots here and there but are easily avoidable. Overall, the trails are in great shape! Skiers have reported that Cedar Creek and Tamarack Pond single track classic trails are skiing well and are good options for escaping cold winds. All ski and snowshoe trails are 100% open!

(Erin Blow)

Minocqua Winter Park skied very well today. The skate deck base is thin but with Piston Bully grooming it is remarkably well set up--even and flat. It was snowing a light fine grained snow during two hours of skiing and about a half inch of fresh snow had accumulated today. There are scattered grassy patches and very minor dirt mixed in areas but no difficulties were had with good skis. The Lake Marie out and back loop was fully and freshly groomed. The River Trail was open but has an inch or a little more not refresh groomed snow over older grooming. About half the trail system had been re-groomed overnight. The classic tracks were continually really good. The parking lot was two thirds full by late afternoon with about 70-90 cars.

(Mark Nienstaedt)

We skied the Big Pine and Cedar Creek wilderness trails, single track classic. Some sections recently groomed, most not, all fine due to recent snow dustings and light use.

(Jan Axelson)

Two inches of fluff on a good base, no bare spots. Plans were to groom tonight. We were out from 1-4 pm and encountered only one other skler.

(Jan Axelson)

A short first ski of the year outing on some of the inner loops. Majority of what we skied was in good conditions with a few brown spots showing here and there. 12+inches in the woods and a winter wonderland feel.

(Ken Schoville)

My wife and I enjoyed skiing at Minocqua on its first open day of the season. The trails were in pretty good shape, except for occasional to frequent pine needles in the classical tracks and one or two very thin spots on a hill and through rough terrain. Another six inches would bring the trail up to mid-winter quality. The beauty of Minocqua for us is the combination of interesting trails and a great chalet with full amenities. My wife was able to ski for an hour and then read a book by the fire in one of their cozy chairs while I went out for a more extended ski experience. At noon we also enjoyed eating at their little restaurant -- soup and sandwich, just right.

(Jim Mohr)

Last night and today's snow has been rolled and will have us open with good to great conditions. We are expecting to be 100% by Saturday. The Piston Bully will begin tonight and won't stop til all 100ks are groomed.

(Zeke Fashingbauer)