Wow! What a transformation from Tuesday! Early morning skate on a freshly groomed trail after last nights 1 inch snowfall. Very skate-able, a little dirty, but well worth the effort. No classic tracks cut. Thank you groomers for working hard, the results are amazing!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

The pisten bully was out and we skied on fresh corduroy. I skated the oaks trail and the birches as well as the lighted loop. There isn't enough snow to set tracks and for the most part, the classical tracks are non existent. The areas that had totally melted (clear ice) are still ice. There's only so much the groomer can do. But after grinding up the surface snow and pine needles, the deck is clean and fast. A few areas are very thin with sandy ground showing through. Overall though, good skiing. The parking lot had only two cars when I left. The lights are on and the lodge is open.

(Steve Peplinski)

The trails barely survived the Christmas meltdown, but they remain fully covered. There are sections of blue ice with associated ice chunks that could put some grooves in your bases. Hikers left deep divots in some trail sections. Pine forest areas have a coating of pine needles. That's the bad news. Nevertheless, the trails were skiable yesterday and today. The groomer was out either last night or this morning. It did some minor smoothing of ruts and knocked down the "stalagmites" left by hikers boots as they pushed the slush out of the hole the boot made in the base. Grooming did not improve the deck surface of the trail areas that have full coverage and no debris. I skated and my skis tracked better and edged better yesterday. Classical tracks where they existed have melted and degraded. They were also full of debris.

(Steve Peplinski)

Poor conditions. Trails are hard, icy, deeply rutted, and covered in debris. I was hoping for marginal skiing but found conditions dangerous....skied about 2 miles and turned around. Thankful to get back to car with no broken bones.

Photos:

(Sue Freundl)

I was optimistic that "The Camp" would have survived the Christmas Day meltdown, I was wrong. Dangerous, icy, wind-debris covered conditions. Not helping matters is it looks like two violators decided to go for a slushy Christmas Day hike on a previously perfectly groomed ski trail. The only positive is we now have a solid, iced-up based. I think we will need more snow to make it groomable and skiable again.

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Very good ski conditions for skating. The track is very firm and flat. It is so great to have skiing as part of our Holiday week.

(Gary Machlett)

Blue sky, White snow, light winds and 33F degrees making for an early Christmas present for all those who took advantage of the great early season conditions at "The Camp". Pole plant much improved since Tuesday, level track, no bare spots anywhere. Maples Hills in awesome shape. Get out and Carpe Skiem and do the snow dance for more snow. Merry Christmas!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Skated Birches and interior loops of the Maples at noon in windy, warm and sunny conditions. Full cover, variable pole plant, some wind debris on Birches. Maples was firmer and flatter across the skate deck. Classic tracks set throughout.

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Surprisingly nice night skiing in 16 degree temps after the snowfall today. The skating deck had been rolled earlier in the day, then another 2-3 inches of powdery wonderfulness added to the growing base. Soft, but very skiable and enjoyable given lack of full grooming and few skiers yet solidifying the surface. No classic tracks set yet. Full coverage... the 2016/17 Season has begun... Carpe Skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)