The skating was fast, and really great. Very firm and level skate deck. Skied the Abbey Rd/Northern Lights/Buzz loop. The coverage is still fantastic on everything except the Buzz, which is starting to show some debris poking through, but nothing major.

(Kate Ullman)

All trails were beautifully groomed today, with the exception of Jolly Long. Groomers say that the skate and classic trails are in very good to excellent condition. Lots of smiling faces coming off the trails!

(Ann Mosey)

Feels so good to get on natural snow trails that are looking and skiing great! Ashawabay trails are plentiful, challenging, and super fun! Like everywhere, they could use more snow. But at least 90% of the system is pretty much perfect. A bit thin under the thicker pine stretches, but nothing to seriously worry about. Highly recommended!

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(Mick Dodds, Ski Hut)

Classic skied 16 miles today. First ski out after a summer of marathon training. Felt phenomenal to get the low impact cardio in. Trails are great. Classic tracks are reliable, skate deck is pretty firm, a little soft in sections, some debris in areas so maybe not good for your best skis. I put in all the hill climbs I could for the first ski this season and I am thankful. Thankful for the groomers that give me the opportunity to push myself. Love it! I don't have quite as much time for Birkie training this year, but I'll be back! Keep on skiing!

(Kevin Grand)

Some of the best mid-December conditions in my recent memory! Skated the outer loop (Abby Rd, Northern Lights, the Buzz) and it was great- a pretty firm and flat base everywhere, not icy. The tracks are OK, no coverage issues but a little shallow and washed out in places after the freeze/thaw that happened last week.

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(Kate Ullman)

3-4 inches of fresh snow from Thursday night was rolled and groomed. All trails were groomed. Excellent conditions.

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(Ian Meeker)

I skied the 9 mile loop again and it survived another warm period perfectly. The groomer had made one pass so I skied on the ungroomed as much as possible. So nice to be skiing when most of the state is not! Finn Sisu!

(John Salden)

The warm weather and sprinkles are taking their toll. Skied Abby Road out to Jerry Jolly where the skate deck was firm - glad this is skiable - for a few laps. Elsewhere, the trail was soft and I didn't want to damage the trail for the grooming crew to have to clean up. Hoping for a good freeze and fresh snow soon!

(Anthony Pavkovich)

Best early conditions that I have seen at Mt Ashawabay. Temp was 15F degrees when I started at 12:30 with large lake effect snow flurries and hoarfrost in the trees. All trails freshly groomed today with a good base thanks to Lake Superior. Truly a magical day to be on the trails at Mt Ashawabay.

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(Gene Karwoski)

Beautiful snowfall again! All trails have been groomed in the last two days, with the exception of spots on Jolly Long and Beginners Loop.

(Ann Mosey)