All trails are now open to hiking. You may be able to get some last gasp skiing in by parking at the group camp parking lot, walking to the 300 Campground entrance road and skiing the 300 loop.

(David Thofern)

We did some cleanup grooming after Saturday night's candlelight event. If you'd like to get in some skiing at Willow prior you'll find the best conditions on the 300 Campground loop and the Blue Trail to the falls. Expect heavy hiker traffic after about 10:00 am Sunday morning.

Photos:

(Dave Thofern)

I used B skate skis but would recommend rock skis. Waited until winds died down about 3:00 pm and decided to avoid Silver Trail thinking high winds would cause more trail damage. Avoided going to Falls/blue, as groups of candlelight organizers and park staff "volunteered" to walk all over Green Trail and I had to dodge them in already sketchy conditions. Ironic, especially given this short period to try and enjoy groomed ski trails.Began at bottom lot Green-300Camp-up yellow, cross to Groupcamp and inner red PrairieLoop, Brown was kinda nasty. Gorgeous day.

(Catherine Olson)

Another great day out at Willow! Started at the Boat Launch skied Green to Campground then took Blue to the Falls. Went about a 1/4 mile up Silver then back to Falls. Finished Blue/Green back to Boat launch for about 4 miles. Classic is tough at parts, need to watch for bare spots and debris. But all is avoidable, just need to jump out to the skate deck to get around the spots. So glad to be able to ski Willow again, even if it is for a very short time!

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(Shane Meisner)

What a great job by the groomers! Skied the Brown trail, Green trail to campground, yellow trail back to group campground. Then skied the Red trail, including the prairie loop. I was skiing classic and at times had to jump out to the skate deck due to debris and little snow. But dang it felt good to finally be able to ski my favorite place. Had so much, plan on going back on Saturday, then probably Sunday as well. Get out there before the next melt. Thank you, groomers!

Photos:

(Shane Meisner)

We rolled a few trails that needed a bit of compacting. The best conditions are found on the 300 campground loop, the Blue trail to the falls, and the Silver Trail east of Nelson Farm Road. The 300 loop and the Blue trail are really the only trails that have decent classic track. Even there, watch for bare spots. If you ski the Silver trail between Nelson Farm Rd. east to the river be aware of bare gravel on some of the south-facing hills, especially the big hill, "Everest.".

(Dave Thofern)

I skied classic this evening after spending the day grooming. First time out this season! The sun really ate into the ski trails, especially the classic tracks. Lots of scattered bare spots in the track. Not the best conditions, but certainly good to get out.

(Dave Thofern)

The park received about 8 inches of new snow overnight. All of the trails were groomed and tracked. The snow is thin in places, especially the prairie trails and under the pines. The best conditions are on the Brown, Red, and Silver trails.

(Dave Thofern)

Excited to finally ski Willow as figured it would never be open this year. Rolled (thanks groomers!) and soft but beautiful late morning, noon ski. Classic tracks set as well. Some really thin areas and sun is creating havoc on the areas with pavement so use caution but skiable.

Photos:

(Dave Steward)

Just in case it wasn't clear, there is no snow at Willow and there hasn't been skiable snow yet this winter. Lots of winter hikers are taking advantage of trails not usually open to hikers in winter.

(Bill Fehrenbach)