Great evening ski at Lester. Only downside was a few patches of ice. We started at the playground parking lot and did the lower 2 lighted loops. There was one nasty patch of glare ice about 100m from the playground area. Only about 4-5 feet in length, but almost the width of the trail and very steep. On the climb up there were a few other little icy patches. If you see brown, it's ice. Nothing to keep you off the trail, but know it's there. On the upside, didn't have any ice skiing back down. Even the final leg down to the playground had nice coverage.

(Ben Fornear)

All trails groomed today and skate deck was no longer soft as reported yesterday. However there are about 8 brown ice puddles to navigate through. Other than those spots it is great skiing, clean snow, and fast. I did not ski the playground loop - which also had been freshly groomed.

(Linda Magni)

Lester classic and skate were groomed today. There was some trouble getting the equipment up to Loops G and J due to the icy conditions - but we will be back out there tomorrow to address those sections. Happy skiing.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

Lester was groomed sometime this morning after last night's snow, apparently with the snowmobile. Coverage is very good, tracks are set, but the skate deck is very, very soft. The groomer gave up trying to work on the trail leading up from the playground--on the steep portions, all the snow was scraped off, down to the glare ice left over from last week. I had to take my skis off and walk. I only skied to the B cutoff and bailed, so I can't say with certainty what it looks like north of there, but I would be surprised if it was any different. If you're skating I'd recommend skiing elsewhere until it firms up--it could really benefit from another round of grooming right away, hopefully with the big groomer.

(Erik Riker-Coleman)

Beautiful night for skiing. Snow softly falling. About 4 inches. Not groomed, but stil nice to get out to ski. Rough classical ski trails throughout. A little greasy-sticky towards end of skiing.

(Janean Nelsen Tucker)

Conditions are poor to fair. I skied only the upper trails near the chalet. Generally hard pack with some large ice flows. No classic track. Trails would have been unskiable had it not been for the much appreciated grooming. Be careful.

(John jereczek)

Lester was groomed today. No classic track set at Lester due to current conditions and low base. Please use caution. There are many icy patches.

(Cheryl Skafte, Duluth Parks and Recreation)

Skied outer loop at 9:30- Icy almost unskiable until groomer came along and now very good! Get out while you can!

(Andrea Watson)

Great classic and skate skiing today at Lester. Thank you City of Duluth for today's grooming! The tracks are beautiful and the skate deck is flat and fast, even though temps hit 38F. Many skiers were out enjoying the sunshine and the lights are on every night. Lester Amity Chalet is open tonight, Saturday and Sunday. Get out the enjoy the warmer temps!

(MaryBeth Nevers)

33F to 37F. The skating was great, but by the time I finished two rounds of the outer loop, the temperature was affecting the snow, getting soft on the south facing slopes. The trail down into the Lester Amity arena probably won't be skiable after today -- the snow is melting too fast.

Photos:

(Louise Levy)