Snow is melting fast on south-facing areas, but trails elsewhere are doing okay. Because of the shallow snow and colder temperatures this year, frost is preventing meltwater from soaking into the ground, and the melt is running into and across the trails. On level ground and north-facing areas, this is not happening because there is not as much melting. Generally, spring conditions with slow, slushy snow. Ran across the trails a bit with the Pistenbully this afternoon to investigate a possible mechanical issue.

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Quick ski, with primarily ice and debris on trails in Bemidji. Skate skiing attainable, however ice in several areas. Simply enjoy being on snow. Refreshing to be in nature.

(Lisa Martin)

The skiff of snow from last night was perfect for skate skiing on the upper trails in addition to groomed lower loops. Should be good skiing. Enjoy quick!

Photos:

(Catherine McLynn)

Groomed most trails with Pistenbully for skating. Subsequently, temp rose into the 40s with wind, and then dipped back below freezing. Expect icy conditions. We've stopped grooming Exit Ramp and lowest part of Main Street expecting the sun will melt remaining snow there soon. Biathlon competition through Tuesday March 4. Expect trails to be closed 10 to 4 PM daily. Thereafter, trails will reopen. Grooming plans: Plan to keep grooming what we can until March 9.

(Bob Conzemius)

Scheduling: The National Guard National Championships will be taking place at Mt. Itasca this coming weekend and week. The biathlon trails will be closed to the public from 8 am - 4 pm from Friday, February 28 until Wednesday, March 5. Late afternoon skiing (after 4) will be available, but trail will be groomed for skate/freestyle only.

(Jonathan Arntson)

Base still firm, but skiing was slow and softening as temps went up. Upper trails with only natural snow may deteriorate further with some bare spots and dirt beginning to show. Grooming plans: Plan to groom again when temps cool.

(Catherine McLynn)

An inch of fresh snow, not groomed, great skiing! Both skate and classic. Tracks in the stadium are drifted, but easy to ski in. Upper trails are excellent.

(Catherine McLynn)

Groomed and set track over most of system including the west entrance to GIA trails and Vlad's Revenge. Did classic and skate ski earlier in the day with MYXC. West entrance had not been groomed so lots of fun floundering uphill in soft snow. Way better now!

(Catherine McLynn)

Groomed everything but the 2.5 cutoff and vlads revenge. Finally was able to get out and get a second time around after last weekends snow. Should set up very well and not be as soft as earlier this week with the fluffy low moisture snow we got. System is in awesome shape!

(Derek Youngren)

Entire system PistenBully groomed. All trails except exit ramp are in excellent condition. A few dirty spots but all very skiable. Hosted section 8's JH championships yesterday of 200 skiers. Had multiple racers tell us they have never skied on such well groomed trails. We will gladly take that complement.

(Derek Youngren)