Skied the Sisu race on Saturday. The course was in spectacular shape. The ABR crew did an amazing prepping the trails with all the snow. One of the top place to ski in the Midwest.

(Jim Williams)

It was a wonderful SISU ski race starting at ABR and finishing in downtown Ironwood. I skied the 15km classic race which was groomed to perfection. Tracks were perfect for the classic racers. All the volunteers helped to contribute to the success of the race. There is nearly waist deep snow off the trails. Should have a long season of excellent skiing.

(Ron Fabrizius)

Eric and the grooming crew have done a fantastic job of grooming the new snow for tomorrow's Sisu Ski Fest! The skate deck is nice and firm and the snow is pristine. Did 23K "previewing" the race course - oops! It was just so fun out there we couldn't stop ourselves! Probably not the recommended warmup ski for a 30K. The classic tracks looked great. Should hold up well tomorrow.

(Jay Lyons)

Nine hour shift in the Pisten Bully's today. The SISU Race director asked for a firm course after the new snow and we are working our "Bully's" to get you one! Four passes this afternoon after the snow stopped into the Finnish Line. Fun to have lunch with the Finnish Line Banner installers at Bens Place Restaurant, just across the street. The Bullies did double duty on the ABR end of the SISU this morning. The course is looking very good. The new 8-10 inches of heavy wet snow the last two days brought down a few more twigs. We are trying to nip them as we groom, if you see one we missed Friday, you can snap it off. Classic only trails got some loving from Wide Track and Partner, they are in great shape, Ridge Runner is Classic only until Sunday.
Reminder: The SISU Race course is open for racers with bibs to ski on Saturday from 9-3:00. It is forbidden to ski on the race course if you are not a SISU Participant with a race bib. ABR Day skiers have many km of trails to ski on race morning 9-4 and skaters have 10 km to skate until 12 PM when the ABR race course is open.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We received about 4 inches of heavy wet snow overnight. Both Bullies were out for 6 hours tilling up the new snow and setting tracks. Three smaller groomers took care of the single tracks. Ridge Runner is classic only today through Sunday. 98 km groomed and open. Lodging: The Kaartunen House is available for the weekend due to a cancellation.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Three groomers out today and trimming brush. The trails are in great shape. Firm tracks, level skate deck with a silky/creamy surface, good pole plants. It should be a great SISU Saturday morning 9-12:00. The majority of the combination trails will be closed from 9-12 Saturday morning. The majority of the classic only trails will be open. A nice three hour ski would be tamarack 2 track to wolf tracks and otter slide then puumala 10 km if the race is done at Saari and coyote.; for skating the deer trail and Historic trail then the 5km dog friendly trails will be open and peltonen pass and Popple flats will be open, at noon the entire trail system is open. We have a ribbon cutting at the Historic Trail Tuesday at 10 am, this is a part of the Project Connect connecting ABR Trails to the community. The ribbon cutting is at the Erwin Township Historic Site on Van Buskirk Road. You can ski there on the Historic trail off of the Deer Trail.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Beautiful trails today, skate deck nice and even. The tracks are gloriously fast making for fun downhills. Ridge runner was my favorite today because the grooming is a day or so old without too much wear and tear and is set beautifully.

(Erin Matula)

Skated virgin corduroy in the morning. Perfect fast and edgeable snow. Classic skied on skins in the afternoon in deep tracks, they were glazed in places but skins kicked well most places.

(Sue Schroeder)

We had a full groomer crew out early this morning. Between last night and this morning we groomed 75 km for skiing today. Grooming plans: Both Pisten Bullies are heading out early in the morning as the temps are now dropping. Two snowmobile groomers are heading out to regroom classic only also. The good news is we did not receive any rain! With over 9 feet of snowfall to date I am pretty sure we will have a good winter.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Beautiful day with tons of snow on the trees. ABR got 30 inches of snow on Christmas and it showed along the trails. The grooming efforts by the crew there made trail conditions excellent.

Photos:

(Kevin Hillegas)