It was fun while it lasted. Significant melting and bare ground, barely able to follow the path. Put a fork in it.

(Eric Onderdonk)

Skate deck is decent where there is snow. Very thin in places but where there is grass and dirt, easy to ski around like an obstacle course. Overall grateful to be skiing at Highland and hope to eke out a few more days. Last year there wasn't snow to ski for a single day so enjoy it this year while you can.

(Eric Onderdonk)

Highland 9 hole was groomed this morning. The base is thin but skiable. We were unable to set a classic track. Some areas show ground or grass. B skis recommended.

Photos:

(James Bezanson)

Coverage for classic surprisingly good on the usual grooming path, which some small reroutes for thin spots. I was comfortable on B skis and didn't damage them. Just need to watch and go around a few spots. Some might want rock skis, especially skating. Only one spot where the asphalt path and some rocks threatened, otherwise it was occasional tuft of grass only one of which was grabby. Some homemade tracks are good, some washed out, some drifted over. No real soft spots anymore, it's all pretty hard packed from the cold and skiers. The skate deck looked intermittently chopped up, thin, drifted, hardpack. Awesome to ski in the neighborhood, thanks groomers, I'll be back soon!

Photos:

(Jeff Streier)

Soft, but skiable. I felt the first half was better set, but it could be the mental games after the "big" hill. ( Or drifting snow) Still some grass and path showing. Ski careful and you'll be fine. More snow is always appreciated, but the groomers are doing well with what they have. Classic tracks looked ok. Many classic users out, so it was getting skied in nicely.

(Jeff Miersch)

There was plenty of the fluffy stuff to roll-groom today, conditions are very soft. Hopefully it will pack and harden with the colder temperatures. No classic track set. Enjoy the holiday weekend, folks!

Photos:

(James Bezanson, St. Paul Parks and Recreation)

The loop was rolled this morning while I skied. Snow is soft and no classic tracks. I tried to grab sticks and toss them out of the way as I went. Got a couple of nice glides. Tracks were rolled around 10am this morning. Plenty of snow and no bare spots.

(Meg Nodzon)

No classic tracks set but followed other's tracks, skate deck looked barely set. It was hard to see where the trail was supposed to go and lots of leaves, twigs, grass. All that said, I was able to glide over frozen stuff the whole route so it was skiable, but barely. If you're a die-hard like me you'll still go out, but bring your rock skis. If you're a purist, better to skip it.

(Judy Sharken Simon)

Nice to be back on natural snow and in the city! Trails are rolled and the skate deck firmed up nicely overnight, much more so compared to yesterday. It's of course quite thin and a strong skate push will discover grass underneath, but given the amount of snow we have and the current situation, it's fantastic. Plenty of grass, sticks, asphalt and dirt poking through, but it's mostly avoidable. Use caution where the trail crosses the cart paths and the snow is thin at the usual spots at the tops of the hills. Just don't use your race skis and take the time to enjoy the fact you're on the real stuff!

(Corey Bergad)

A beautiful, sunny day at Highland 9-hole Golf course. The skate ski trail is groomed with many tracks. No classic grooming, but plenty of self-made tracks. The snow is quick and has good glide, just wish there was a deeper layer. You can tell when you are on asphalt and beware fallen logs or curbs. There is some grass peaking up in the homemade tracks.

Photos:

(Cece Martin)