What a nice surprise, lake effect snow all day long! Skiers enjoyed the firm base under the 4-6 inches of snow that fell on today's morning grooming! We groomed most of the combi trails this morning and retracked. Grooming plans: We plan to have Pig Heart groom with the bigger Pisten Bully on all of "old ABR" early in the morning. Crasher and Black Smith will groom the Highlands and Ridge Runner (not sure yet if Ridge Runner will be classic or skate). After 9 am coffee break we will conquer some of the classic only trails, not sure if we make it to Puumala trails and wolf tracks.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Six inches overnight made good skiing even better. Snow still coming down after morning's grooming made for nice, soft skiing today. I would say it's safe to use your good skis on the combi trails, but it might be best to stick with B skis on the classic-only trails a little longer.

Photos:

(Will Andresen)

Classic tracks at ABR were in great condition, including the classic only narrower trails. We skied here on Saturday as well, and there appeared to be even more trails groomed since then! Thank you groomers for braving the cold! I used a cold weather quick wax that I purchased in the ski shop (for a reasonable price) and had excellent glide in the tracks.

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(Tracy Stacy)

I am so impressed by the dedication of our staff, both grooming and working the ski shop, shoveling and plowing etc... and our skiers. They are so loyal and dedicated to our ABR family. We groomed up 78 km of trails today at -18 F, set tracks on 61 km. Skiers were pleased. I am so impressed with the turn out of skiers on a cold day. The wooded trails were used mostly and the trailside warming cabins were heated by skiers to help extend the distance they could venture out to. Grooming plans: Monday we plan to touch up skate lanes, re-track the Highlands, re-track Puumala... maybe more.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We groomed up 72 km of trail today, most with resetting tracks. The wind last night was not kind to our grooming yesterday. Skiing was highly rated today. I was working the ski shop, chalet, rental shop and wax barn/restroom buildings and skiers were very pleased. Very fun to hear of the positive response to our transitioning the ski trail business we built for 30 years to a non-profit foundation. Saturday lunchbox sponsored by the local Northwinds Coop was a hit today with 31 lunches delivered. Grooming plans: Three groomers heading out again in the morning, the two remote warming cabins were warmed today. Dress warm, plan a wooded route and have fun tomorrow!

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Skating at temps just above freezing. Good coverage on the flatter stuff I was skiing today. A very few dirty spots on the deck and some grassy places in the tracks on Memory Lane. Thin spots at top of descent from Pit Point that could be avoided to skiers left... Didn't ski the other hilly loops.

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(Sue Schroeder)

Trails groomed up well this morning, the tracks are great - full depth and well formed, very few areas to step out of to avoid debris. All trails are open. It is really fun to see the recreational skiers out enjoying the trails. We have 92 km groomed and open for skiing. Don't forget to order your Lunch Box Saturday order, this Saturday sponsor is our local coop deli, Northwinds Cooperative. Grooming plans: We plan to groom all or most of the combi trails early morning

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

First time skiing ABR for me and my wife. Conditions were great, received 2 additional inches of snow night before. Adequate snow cover but two places under the spruce canopy we had to go around the track due to exposed dirt. They need more snow to cover some isolated thin spots. Grooming was great. We were impressed and will return.

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(Earl Stabenow)

Enjoyed some of the classic-only trails today, including the wonderful Puumala Trails. Very good most places. Tamarack 2-track excellent. Puumala also great except vegetation exposed in open area heading out to Jasper and Cliff House loops. Wolf Tracks has serious undulations and a few bare spots so needs more snow. I used good skis and was able to skirt problem areas.

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(Sue Schroeder)

Temp at my start at 10am was -4F under blue skies. All the combination trails were groomed and track set. Classic only trails were not groomed and a couple of inches of snow on them. Ended up classic skiing River Trail, Sulos loop and most of Blueberry. Tracks were solid and level. Rare brown spot which was easily seen and avoided. Very good conditions made for a great day despite the cold temperatures!

Photos:

(Ron Fabrizius)