We are just getting ready to head back out for the final groom of the first 20 km of the SISU 30 k course. We groomed the entire 30 k course again with two passes with the Pisten Bullys today. The course seems to be firm. There are no bare spots or rocks showing. Good luck SISU Racers.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We groomed all of ABR this morning and headed into town to groom SISU Ski Fest Race course. The SISU Race course is looking great. Day skier trails for Saturday are looking good also. Remember the race course is open for day skiers about 12 noon. Classic only trails except Jack Pine are open at 9 AM. - about 35 km. Skating will be limited to Deer Trail, Pelty, and Dog trails will be open for skating/striding at 9 AM.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Trails groomed up well this morning, Pig Heart and Crasher were out on both Cats (Bearcats) Wully Bully in the 10,000 miles on the odometer Gator with tracks and original drive belt! SISU K markers installed and a few branches trimmed, We did “beef up” a few hills like the Highlands exit hill and bypass with our manual snowmaking (rakes and shovels) to give us confidence in a good base for the SISU next Saturday. I chatted with a few skiers from the south tonight coming in and they were really enjoying the conditions. Skating and classic are skiing well. Grooming plans: Six groomers coming in at 6 am, and we plan to groom until noon or maybe later.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We headed out with the bigger Pisten Bully into town on the SISU Trail into town. A few thin areas under the pines but 98 % of the trail looked great. The new snow should help make it perfect. Tuesday we plan to groom the skate lanes on the SISU racecourse on ABR Trails and install signs and KM markers. Classic tracks are skiing well. Wednesday we are scheduling a full crew to groom any new snowfall. Saturday the race course will be closed to non-racers until noon when the last wave goes off. All of the classic only trails except Jack Pine will open at 9 AM for day skiers, For skaters or classic, the combination trails Dog trails, Deer Trail and Pelty will be open at 9 AM Saturday for day skiers.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We had a great Holiday turnout, visitors were happy and weather cooperated. Thank you. Chilly today, Pig Heart Groomed the first 20 km of the SISU 30 km this morning on ABR Trails and a few other loops. The trail is looking in very good shape for the SISU next Saturday. Grooming plans: Pig Heart and Darla are heading into town Monday again with the bigger Pisten Bully to till and blade as needed for the SISU course prep. Wide Track is on board for packing pole plants and trimming face slappers on the classic side.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

With the new 2 inches of dense snow the trails really improved, classic tracks reset, were great. All 95 km of trails open and skiing well.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

We re-groomed 55 km today of skate lanes and we left classic tracks alone since the majority of them were very nice. Grooming plans: We have a full groomer crew coming in the early morning to take care of the new snow falling now, most likely setting new tracks and grooming all skate lanes. Skiing was rated the best of the season today. I want to take this post to thank all of customers this year for their business and being great to work with. I am thanking the homeowners who trusted us and let us build them trailside houses, the customers who we built roads and cleared building sites for, the customers we installed septic systems, and keeping our crew busy all summer long and the customers that came to ABR Trails to ski, shop or lodge with us and trusted us to have well groomed trails for them. Happy New Year and see you tomorrow for skiing or snowshoeing! We open at 9 AM. Thank you from Angela and Eric!

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

The trails groomed up real fine this morning. We ended up grooming 55 km of skate lanes and resetting 10 km of classic tracks. All 95 km skied well today. Recreational and competitive skiers were very happy with the controllable but firm trail condition. Grooming plans: Three groomers headed out in the morning to regroom 55 km of skate lanes and may set some new classic tracks if needed. SISU course is looking good, a few thin areas under the pines but 1 week can change thin areas quickly from thin to thick (with shovels or praying).

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Peltonen's Pass out was good on the skate deck. Quite soft on the right side of the tracks where you plant your pole. Not as bad on the other combination trails but still occasional post holing. Washed out to base on Pelto every day because of all the people that snowplow. If you would like to avoid drifts it would be better to ski it in the morning. Otherwise beautiful conditions.

(Erin Matula)

The trails groomed up great this morning. Cold temps at 9 AM warmed up quickly by noon with the sun. All 95 km skied well today. The new 1.5-2 inches of snow really was great to groom, recreational skiers were very happy. Grooming plans: Three groomers headed out in the morning to regroom all 55 km of skate lanes and may set some new classic tracks if needed.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)