Excellent skiing today on the roughly 1K loop adjacent to the range under a partly cloudy sky in 25 degrees. The snow cannons were busy making snow on the loop that was destroyed over the Christmas warm up. In speaking with the GM, skiers this weekend can expect a total of 1.6K to be skiable. Carpe Skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Ariens continues to do a fantastic job with the trails. While skating smoothly at first light on the 1K they have ready thus far, it looks like they had 7-8 guns blazing on other sections to prep for more K in the near future. Things are holding up pretty well- I can confirm their report about a couple small icy sections (directly adjacent to the biathlon range), but found the first hill and second bump/sharp right turn to be better than in recent past. There were plenty of places to get into a good V2 and V2-alternate groove. Deep base and definitely worth the trip!

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(Pieter DeHart)

Very good conditions for skate. My first time skiing on these trails. Fine, deep corn snow on an ice base Soft, but easy to just float through. Good for easy cruising, unless you're the one skier I saw on downhill skis. They struggled. Otherwise, best skiing today in the State.

(John McCarthy)

The ANC offered very good conditions on a 0.9 K loop around the shooting range for both classic and skate. The deck is narrower than pre-Christmas conditions but plenty wide to include a set of tracks and one skater throughout. The snow cannons were active 'til 10:30 am. Carpe Skiem!

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(Bob Warpinski)

Glorious morning at Ariens Nordic! So thankful for the snowmakers and excellent grooming, and we were happy to do the pristine 1K loop many times over, both skate and classic style. Snow conditions were really good and not too icy at first, and as the temps warmed closer to 11am some spots (mostly corners and uphills) got a bit sugary. The snow is plenty deep throughout, and they were making more snow on further stretches in the earlier hours while we were there (so, fingers crossed, there will be more open in the near future!). Both skate and classic style were fast, but because of the short nature of the loop the classic track had a few more interruptions. While we used our B skis, you can certainly use your good skis.

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(Pieter DeHart)

Kicked around the 1.6 K loop between 9 am (32 degrees) and 11 am (39 degrees), very good conditions. The tracks, particularly on the up hills, were showing wear toward the end. Make no mistake, the pictures tell the story, it's well worth the drive. Carpe skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Approximately 1.5K of trail open. Base is flat and well compacted. Fresh grooming gave a fast deck until the sun warmed the snow. Classic tracks appeared very good. The thick base should survive warm weather.

(Jules Blank)

The ANC now has 1.6 K of groomed trails for both skate and classic. Very good conditions today thru 11 am under a sunny sky in 38 degrees. Note: The additional 0.6 K loop can easily connect to another 0.3 K loop on the main trail that would be ideal for beginner skiers of both techniques. Carpe Skiem!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

The 1K loop continues to offer excellent conditions for striders and skaters alike (3/4 depth tracks, firm and level deck). Aggressive snow making and trail shaping taking place on adjacent segments. Lots of happy skiers taking advantage of this early Christmas present courtesy of The ANC!

Photos:

(Bob Warpinski)

Other than an unforgiving wind, the classic ski conditions at Arien's were excellent, especially given the recent rain/thaw/freeze. I'm amazed at what this staff can do with poor weather conditions. Thanks!

Photos:

(Nathan Van Zeeland)