Could ski 40k without duplicating loops. If you know where you’re going you could use B skis, otherwise I’d recommend rock skis for a bit longer.

(Will Andresen)

Just coming in from grooming with Widetrack. We covered 47 km of trails. All of "Old ABR" North of the Highlands. The snow stopped about noon and we measured 5-6 inches! The trails are freezing down well as temps are dropping. We will do a final groom in the morning and decide if we groom the trails flat or set a track on some. Even with 5-6 inches of new snow over the old base, the trail has thin areas on the bluffs and under the thick conifers. The open areas are covered better because the trees don't block the snow. We are open at 9 AM for skiing and the ski shop sale is on Friday and Saturday.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We picked up 4-5 inches of snow and it continues to come down. I completed one pass on 20 km of trails and we are headed back out. We will be open for skiing on 20 km of trail Friday at 9 AM. Happy Thanksgiving!

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Scouted an 11k loop for possible Friday opening: Very nice rock skiing, with very few rocks but a fair amount of debris. One large 8 k loop and a couple smaller ones all connecting together. Nice variety of rolling terrain, but no big hills to worry about. With another couple inches it could be B skis.

Photos:

(Will Andresen)

The trails are looking great and hopefully open Friday. They rolled quite a few k, there's about 20k for rock skis, and 10k for B skis. It was a lot of fun in the morning and got a little melty when the sun come out. Occasional tufts of grass that you could catch an edge on but otherwise pretty good coverage for the amount of snow they have.

Photos:

(Erin Matula)

Great day of progress in trail prep. Forecast is looking fine for cooperating with a Friday opener. Four scenarios: I am rating the percentages based on 25 years experience and experience with weather forecasts.
Plan A: We get 6-8 inches of snow (not forecast but prayed for) and we open 30 km of trails with full depth classic tracks. 30 km is presently all packed and prepped. A skis, 5%.
Plan B: We get 2-3 inches of snow Wednesday night and Thursday morning. We came up with a 10 km trail system that is pretty well covered and does not include any big hills, and minimizes south faces slopes and open areas. It is using a variety of trail sections, many skiing backwards...and a few unused connectors from 1995. (Sorry I can’t take credit for the route; A neighbor friend and avid skier came up with the route, because he is trailside and loves to ski early and late season). Project “WEST”. B skis, 75%.
Plan C: We don’t get much snow an inch or less. We use Plan B “WEST” and ski on 10 km of trails with B or Rock Skis, 15%.
Plan D: We get un-forecast weather, and melt out Wednesday or get un-forecast rain Wednesday. Trails closed. Rollerskis, 5%.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

The forecast was off a bit and we did receive a nice amount of snow today -- 3-4 inches. We are going to roll the trails out in the morning. We won’t open for skiing until Thursday or Friday at the earliest. We just need to groom and see what the weather does.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We have been packing the the trail system every early morning and evenings while it is cool. Trails are freezing down well. However we are fighting the warm ground melting from below. We do have a certain standard of conditions to open, both for reputation and most importantly for safety. We will not be open for skiing until next Wednesday or Thursday Nov 24-25th before Thanksgiving. Good news is we will have our ski shop open 10-2 Saturday Nov 20th, with discounted price.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We picked up another 2 inches of snow last night over the 4-6 yesterday. Sure the ground is warm but we are working on freezing it down. Pig Heart and Wide Track were out today and we packed about 20 km. We will do additional work Monday -Wednesday and report back on Wednesday. We may open as soon as Thursday but not before. Ski Shop will be open Saturday.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)