Early this morning, Ancient One and the Engineer pulled the medium screens to knock down yesterday's ski tracks. Even though conditions, post grooming, were not nearly as good as the past three days, several skiers were hot on the trail of the groomers. We are going to call Season 36 at Woodlands a wrap. There are too many bare spots on the trail. The season, such as it was, had 9 total ski days (besting the previous record by 18), only three of which hit the 'plenty good' rating. I would like to use this stage to once again thank the Trail Crew for their season long volunteer efforts. While the crew got off easy this winter, grooming is typically only about 25% if their annual effort. Thanks also to those who came up to ski. It was fun while it lasted. Hopefully next year you will have the opportunity to visit sooner and more often. As we do at the end of each season, we will leave you with our motto; Woodlands, built by skiers, groomed by skiers, for skiers. Till next we see you on snow. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

It is looking like it might be a little mushy for our Saturday morning ski. This year, we are missing one key ingredient that we usually have for these late spring ski days. That ingredient is earth that is frozen solid deep under the trail that will refreeze the trail overnight, even with only 30 degree lows. No frost, no freezing from the bottom up. Tonight we may even have a little rain thrown in for good measure. Grooming plans: Anyway, we have groomers lined up for 7 in the morning just in case something constructive can be done. Best guess, if there is any decent skiing to be had in the morning it will be right behind the groomers or soon after. It was big fun while it lasted.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

The Electrician just reported in that he and Lumberjack had just finished a run around the outer loop with the Godzilla screens for our Friday skiing pleasure. Between the heavy ski traffic and warm temps, the trail surface got a good workout today. The screens scratched the trail surface up a bit, helped fill in the ski marks and made a few little snowmen just for fun. Expect some icy spots early with a window of good skiing later if you can time that sweet spot as the temps rise. Woodlands was really hopping today. Thanks to all of our ski friends, both new and old, who came out to enjoy this day with us! We will try to work a plan for a Saturday morning ski. Stay tuned. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

What incredible conditions. Just be aware there is only one trail open (the unpaved trails as they are groomed). This is a pretty daunting and challenging loop if you choose to bite off the whole thing and have not skied this year. I stopped often, but enjoyed every km. Get your Gravity Box filled and feel like you are on Top of the World.

Photos:

(Dean Kleinhans)

What a treat! Huge thanks to the grooming crew. Skied the full loop in sunshine and blue skies. Skate deck was firm (although use larger baskets as poles punched through quite often). Coverage was excellent with very few leaves. Definitely a little softer on the south facing hills. Only bare spots were on the side caused by animals digging things up. Path crossings were still in good shape, although need to be careful. Get out while you can!

Photos:

(Erik Erickson)

Awesome at midday! The skiing was almost perfect. Full coverage with debris here and there. Highly recommended!

(Doug McDonald)

DPR just reported in that he and perennial sidekick, Robin, had just finished a grooming run of the outer loop with the medium screens for our Thursday skiing pleasure. The groomers also said that it looked like the trail got a pretty good workout today. The Woodlands trail crew works year round so the trails are ready for snow and takes great pride in brining the best skiing they can when it does snow. With this being the first really good ski day of the season, its kind of been a bit of "all work and no play makes Ancient One an even more dull boy(old man)" than he normally is. So thanks to those who came out for a ski today. You are why we do what we do. Tomorrow should be another good spring skiing day and as Julie said, mind the paved trail crossings. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Currently full coverage with soft snow conditions. Outer loop groomed with a little detour onto the walking trail for the start / finish. Could get away with good skis, just be careful on the paved trail crossings.

(Julie Kallemeyn)

Surf's up! We let the trails chill overnight, allowing them to firm up. PA (not Paul Allen) and I made a run around the 10k outer loop with the rollers this morning. We had three fresh inches on top of many more that survived warmth and the rain. The skiers that were out behind us were all smiles. If you have PTO burning a hole in your pocket, skiing a Woodlands tomorrow will be worth scraping off the storage wax. We will keep the skiing going as long as possible. Right now, it looks safe through midday on Friday. There should be skiing after that, but stay tuned. Only the outer loop is groomed and is accessed by heading east from the parking lot on the winter walking trail about a hundred yards to the ski trail intersection. At the end, the return is also on the winter walking trail after North Mickey. No tracks set. Fine for good skis. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Trails are closed. Too many bare spots by the end of the day. DPR was so happy with his grooming plan this morning he has proclaimed himself "one with the snow". Stay tuned as we will take a look when this next round leaves us. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)