Thanks to the groomers for setting nice tracks at Hiawatha - the skate track was good and the classic tracks looked good as well all the way around with one tiny, easily-avoided spot. Also, it looks like they rolled a walking course next to the skate track which is helping a lot as it appears that walkers are mostly avoiding the ski tracks. Great to have good skiing in South Mpls!

Photos:

(Carleton Perry)

Hiawatha groomers cleaned up the skate and left the classic track alone, which looked good. Conditions are superb!

(John Saunders)

The classic track is now set down. The skating deck is rolled. And there is now a walking / snowshoeing track. The 1K, 2K, and 4K trails are all open. It is really nice clean snow for skiing. Get out and enjoy it!

(Mike Guild)

Beautiful conditions. Buttery soft snow. Lots of depth. No bare spots anywhere. Perfect for classic-touring. Wax up those skis and get your diagonal stride on! Just a heads up of what to expect today: As of 10:00 a.m. Sunday grooming operations were either in progress or stalled. The trail is somewhat packed. Not fully groomed. No classic tracks set. Skate skiers and those with a need for speed might want to wait for an update on grooming conditions or head elsewhere this morning.

(Brian Aas)

This morning we rolled the 1K 2K and 4K trails. We did not get to roll the walking trail and we did not get it to set classic ski tracks. The groomer got stuck in deep snow so we will try again once it warms up a little bit. There is a youth ski class from about 1 to 4 p.m. today.

Photos:

(Mike Guild)

Trails look really good! There are one or two very small spots (like 12" or less) where some grass is poking through. Generally on the top and downsides of small hills. Freshly groomed the skate deck. The classic tracks are down and clean. the walking path (off to the left) is freshly rolled for dogs and snow shoe-ing. We will be out ASAP on Sunday morning to get the trails freshened up.

(Mike Guild)

Great snow! Rolled the full 1k, 2k and 4k loops. Plenty of snow in all sections of the course; nice full cover.

(Mike Guild)

Did one glorious ski around the 4.1 mile loop about 3 p.m. A wide grooming had been done for both, but sometimes it was a bit unclear where the classic and skate skiing divide was. It didn't prevent me and several others from getting out in the sun and enjoying a ski with a lot of powdery snow, not too sticky even with the warm temps. Nice to ski without worrying about bare ground.

(Ann Beane)

This report is a bit late, but all month of February, I have been reunited with the joys of cross-country skiing, after a three-year hiatus, due more to unfavorable skiing condition locally than level of interest. My experience this month at Hiawatha has been amazing, and I just want to give a shout out to the groomers who have made this wonderful albeit rather flat course so enjoyable to ski at. My last time was Tuesday afternoon - the freestyle deck and classical tracks were in a condition conducive to lots of double poling - very fast - excellent push and glide on the skating deck.

(Mark Tafel)

We groomed the skate deck this morning and tried to till up the crust from the warmup. Another groomer should be out later today to set the classic track and groom the walking trail.
The skate deck should be firm with almost complete coverage except for some grass poking through in the usual spots.

(John Saunders)