Warm temperatures have caused tracks to melt and re-freeze into ice in some areas, especially along the pines north of the pond (snow cover is very thin there too). Most tracks felt icy and fast, but snow felt sticky outside of the tracks. Stepping stone bridges are not open - either bare cement or have water flowing over them. Covered bridge is icy.

(Maria Anderson)

From someone who lives in northwestern Wisconsin where we tend to have the cream of the crop for ski trails, this trail network is a gem. I was visiting my parents near Owatonna so this was a short, half hour drive. Most of the trails are tracked, some are not and the prairie loops do have some drifting, but the tracks were in great shape and the trails that were not tracked had plenty of snow to stride on. There are minimal icy spots (5% at the most). I don't know how skating would be on this trail system. Most trails are a little narrow for that. Open areas had a lot of deer tracks and some people tracks. Extensive trail system with sections along the river, streams in the woods and nice loops on open prairie.

(Michelle Stone)

Our trails are almost all packed, and most of the south trails have classical tracks. North trails will be tracked tomorrow. The ski race route will receive extra attention tomorrow (widened as much as possible for the Freestyle race) and should be in good condition for the race. A few slushy/icy areas on the north side of the Big Bluestem loop, and the trail behind the tower will be re-routed for the race due to slush and ice. Water is flowing over both stepping stone bridges, so those trails are closed. Snow on the culvert bridge south of the Interpretive Center is thin.

(Maria Anderson)

Trails are crunchy from melting and refreezing, with a layer of ice pieces in the woods from ice falling off tree branches. Snow is in the forecast for next week, so stay tuned for ski rental and the Dammen Ski Race!

(Maria Anderson)

Trails are wet and mushy due to rain and melting. The ice brought down some branches, so trails in (and alongside) the woods have lots of debris. Not groom-able at this point, and ski rental is not available.

(Maria Anderson)

Most trails are packed for skate skiing, but only some are tracked for classical. There was a thick ice layer prior to being groomed, so there are ice chunks mixed into the packed areas making some areas a little slippery. The top layer of snow is a fine powder that has drifted in some of the tracks. There is also small stick debris on sections of the trails. Ski and snowshoe rentals will reopen this Friday.

(Savanna Dahl)

Trails are still in rough, unsafe condition, with hard, icy ruts. We haven't gotten enough snow to groom, and we won't offer equipment rental until conditions improve. We will announce as soon as we're able to groom and offer ski rental again.

(Maria Anderson)

Due to the rain, ice and dropping temperatures we will not be renting cross country skis until snow conditions improve. The Thursday Free ski and snowshoe from 3-6 pm is now cancelled for January 5th.

(Julie Champlin)

The groomer has reworked the trail system to even out the surface, but won't be able to set classical tracks until we get more snow. Snow coverage in the Pine Loop is very thin.

(Maria Anderson)

Trails in the woods are uneven and hard with quite a bit of stick debris. Trails in open areas are in better shape, but not ideal after some melting and refreezing. Snow coverage is still good. Grooming plans: We will attempt to re-groom tomorrow to chop up some of the icy crust.

(Maria Anderson)