Skied under the lights on the Red and Green Trails from 7 to 8 p. m. Some of the lights were either fading or off completely (perhaps the solar panels that run the lights must not have been fully charged in today's gloomy weather). My headlamp helped. It was fun, like spring skiing. Some trails still have good coverage. The Red Trail running from point A at the dog park to point B, and the Inner Red Loop between points B and D are still very enjoyable. So is the Green trail running from the the Red trail at point C and continuing towards point O and the 42nd Street parking lot. There are some stretches with grass poking through, occasional little dirt spots, and a couple of slushy patches. but nothing that slowed me down on these segments. Other routes in the north part of the trail system (north of 42nd Street) are a mixed bag. The Green and Blue loops are partly in fair-to-good condition and partly in poor condition. Parts of the Outer Red Loop between points C and B require picking your way through.

(Tim Larson)

Overall pretty good. I skied from Dog Park lot to the far side (yellow trails). No track set but a decent deck. I could feel my pole touch the ground sometimes, but I didn't see any bare ground (some roots sticking out and tree debris).

(Greg Sumner)

Skated most trails. The yellow had been groomed for skating this morning, excellent though thin skate deck. Other trails marginal. No tracks set. Suggest parking at far lot for access to the yellow peninsula loop. Thanks groomers!

(John Thomas)

Skied the Red and parts of the Green and Blue trails early this afternoon. The Red loops had some debris and a few stretches of thin snow coverage where the trail runs beneath tall White Pines. The Green Trails had some debris, especially on hills, where I recommend proceeding carefully and controlling speed. I used not just my rock skis, but my Flintstone skis that come from a previous century so I had no worries about damaging them. A few long stretches of trail were in very good to excellent condition. The southern half of the Blue Loop--the part that uses the paved Millennium Trail--had complete coverage, no debris, and offered the best skiing I experienced today, perhaps because the paved trail has no debris beneath the snow to churn up. One could use good skis there. Pole plants were shallow though; and sometimes my pole tips struck the paved surface beneath the snow on this multi-use trail. Also very good was a several hundred yard stretch of the Red trail--going straight ahead (instead of veering right) past the warming shack and dog park from the 28th Street parking lot. Those who ski at the Superior Municipal Forest appreciate how these trails truly are cared for by a Superior parks maintenance crew who do the best they can. Skiing there today was as enjoyable as I had a right to expect given the amount of snow. Also note, classic tracks have not been set.

(Tim Larson)

I skied the whole yellow loop today. The snow is uneven, and I fell twice on the hills because the consistency is hard to anticipate. If I do it again, I'll be taking it slow. There's some dirt and branches poking through the snow in a handful of spots. There's no track for classic yet, which isn't surprising, as there's not even enough snow to cover the trail. It's been a pretty depressing ski season, but once again... kudos the the Superior Parks and Recreation department for making it work. It might be rough, but it's better than spring skiing, and I'll be out there all week pulling laps.

(Richard Kaufman)

We classic skied part of the yellow, the flat side today at the Superior Municipal Forest. It was in quite a bit better shape than anticipated! No fresh groom today, no tracks but a nice even place to double pole and kick. Some debris but easily avoided.

Photos:

(Eve Graves)

Skied parts of the Yellow loop out on Brown's Point at suggestion of a skier at the warming shack who had just been out there and skied the whole Yellow Loop. It was very good skate skiing (no track set). Virtually 100% snow coverage and one lane regroomed today. Minor uneven spots. You can use good skis. Can park near the start of the Yellow Loop if you drive out Billings Park Drive, there's a nice parking lot there. Thank you City groomers! This was heavenly skiing.

Photos:

(Dave Arvold)

Not bad/variable for skating, no classic tracks. A thin, hard base on the trails on the north side of 42nd street, with a bit of frozen slush and some leaf/grass/twig litter. The outer purple and yellow were nicely groomed today with a light touch, which resulted in an excellent texture and slightly softer feel. The hilly side of the yellow trail is the best of the bunch. Great job, groomers!

Photos:

(Todd Campbell)

The Blue, Red, and Green trails are in poor condition. Yellow and Purple trails are fair but have no track as there is not enough snow yet.

(Jodi Saylor)

First time out at SMF this season. It appears to have been groomed yesterday with light use. Surprisingly decent conditions, especially as you get out away from the inner loops. There is less snow there than in Duluth but it makes up for it with a level and even trail in most places, so it skis quite well with the lack of snow. There is some exposed dirt, trail detritus, some sticks and reeds and a few small ice flows on the bottom of hills on outer green, as well as some thinly covered ice on the outer green for a very small section. Your typical early season issues. I thought the inner purple (field portion, the connector is not groomed yet) is quite good with excellent coverage, save for some uneven spots in one small section). Despite the -6F temp, it was also surprisingly fast (Swix Polar Pro). Thanks again City of Superior for your continued attention to this wonderful trail (ie. regular grooming).

(Thomas Heinitz)