Continued thaw weather and drizzle have closed the cross country trails at Giants Ridge. There is still some base on the trails in the woods and with freezing and some natural snow, we are hoping to reopen the weekend of December 10-11. We would like to thank all of our cross country skiers that enjoyed the trails over the Thanksgiving weekend, and hope to see you back here when winter returns.

(John Filander)

We are into a warm rainy week, and have closed the nordic trails until this coming weekend when it is supposed to cool off. It was a great opener last weekend with 40Km and lots of people enjoying the trails. Bring back the colder weather and some snow!

(John Filander)

Conditions: Surprisingly nice Sunday morning ski. Trails did not ice up much, and a fresh grooming looks like it had been done over many of the trails. Again, the upper trails were much better than the lower ones along the golf course. Still a few places where you have to cross a bare strip, and rocks poke through here and there, but ski very good skiing conditions.
Nice morning ski to wrap up the weekend. Lots of folks out on the course, including the College of St. Scholastica team with their new coach Maria Stuber. We skied the Gold, Cedar and Summit trails, all in pretty good shape, with the upper Gold trails in almost excellent shape. Very fun ski coming down from Emerald City on the Summit trail back to Northern Lights.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Conditions: Mix of conditions, some a bit thin and icy (mostly on trails next to golf course), and other sections like mid-winter (especially up on top, on the Gold trail and Summit). A few burn channels from run off water, and some melt spots, but we used good skis without an issue. I'd rate it B skis. I'm sure it was even better earlier in the week. Cleared off end of day, and temps dropping tonight -- expecting icy fast in the morning.
Surprising amount of Twin Cities skiers up staying and skiing. Rarely saw them out on the trails, but great to see people out taking in the November snow. Nice day of skiing - but uffda, tired.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Conditions: 4" base, wet snow groomed Wednesday night.
Groomed but variable conditions. Some small rocks/holes here and there but all in all good wet snow thats packed in early season skiing. Thanks for opening! Word is all will be groomed tonight. If Classic expect variable tracks.

Photos:

(Kyia Anderson)

Our crews got the 4" of fresh, wet snow groomed up yesterday, still a little soft but we now have between 4-5" of base. It is so great to have such great classical tracks so early in the season! See you tomorrow for opening day!

(John Filander)

4" of new snow last night on top of a 3+" base should make for perfect conditions for our opening day on Friday, November 25. Crews are out packing and grooming this morning, and mild temps for the weekend should make some of the best Thanksgiving skiing conditions we`ve had in a long time.

(John Filander)

Giants Ridge received 9" of snow as of Monday. The Nordic trails (40k) will open the Friday after Thanksgiving, and will also be open Saturday and Sunday. Daily nordic rate is $13 for individuals opening weekend; group rates are available. The Nordic trails are not open to fat bikes at this time. Snowshoe trails will also open the Friday after Thanksgiving but have not been packed or cleared.

(Danae Beaudette)

Groomed. Plenty of snow. Nice for November. Worth the trip. Improved from yesterday.

(Joe Bettendorf)

We received 10+" last Friday and Giants Ridge Trail crew has been packing and grooming 40 Km which will be open starting on Friday, November 25th. Classical and skating on a 2-3" base so you can use your good skis. Ticketing office and new chalet will open be Friday thru Sunday 9AM-4:30PM.

(John Filander)