Good snow coverage. Sticky due to 38 degree temps. Still lovely and a fun atmosphere with all of the teams training. Easy to find quiet trails. Especially enjoyed snow shoeing in the afternoons when it got too sticky for me. So glad we drove the 4.5 hours up here from Twin Cities for weekend!

Photos:

(Sue Bradley)

Great conditions. Some thin spots, but overall good coverage. Snow got sticky in early afternoon from the warm conditions.

(Sean Foley)

We had a great day of skiing today, lots of happy skiers. The conditions today were better than any day last season. We groomed 56 km today and reset tracks on about 28km. With the warm temps the steeper hills are getting snow plowed to expose dirt so we are suggesting to stick to the main trail system for cleaner snow. The classic only trails are getting worn, we have not reset tracks in 3 days. Grooming plans are to concentrate on the main trails in the early morning, River and all the side loops, blueberry to cold feet feet and meadow ridge, deer trail and cherry, we may venture out on jack pine/white pine. We plan to reset Tamarack 2 track in the early morning. The dog friendly trails are skiing well and are not being used much, they were also all groomed this morning. All photos from today credit to John Niska.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Trails are starting to show some weather and tear with warm temps today and lots of skier traffic. Would rank Hautenen Highlands and Ridge Runner as rock ski conditions as there are now quite a few rocks to side step, some of them kinda sneaky. Core trails remain in great condition with good coverage.

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(Eli Anoszko)

Great skiing at ABR. Coverage was very good for skating, one thin spot on the steep Blueberry Bluffs downhill was getting thin due to snowplowing, but otherwise seems like good ski conditions for skating. Classic skiing was generally pretty good as well. Tracks were getting washed out from the soft snow and heavy traffic on some trails. There were some thin spots on Jack Pine, White Pine and Tamarack Two Way to hop around, and one legit rock on Hautenen Highlands that was easy to side step. I used good skis and didn't regret it, but you do have to watch your stride on some classic trails still.

Photos:

(Eli Anoszko)

Great day of skiing. Groomers were out again this morning, with the dusting we had early morning trails groomed up well. We have all trails open except the Puumala trails. Skate lanes have firmed up and classic tracks are getting high grades. Grooming plans: We will be out again in the early morning grooming skate lanes.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

6-8 inches of snow groomed up great, we are skiing on 62 km of trails. The local ski team was out tonight training.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Eight inches overnight. Tracks groomed up nicely for very good classic skiing. I skied all the classic-only trails and they were excellent in most places. B skis still recommended due to occasional bare spots under deep tree canopies. Good skis on the combi-trails as far as I could see.

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(Will Andresen)

What a great day of grooming. We woke up to 3 inches of new snow at 4 am, groomer crew of 5 was working, setting new classic tracks and fresh skate lanes. At 11 am a blizzard hit and we groomed a bit and called it quits. Skiers were happy this morning. Grooming plans: A full crew of 6 groomers plans to go out in the early morning. Skiing has changed from early season to mid season. Pisten bullies are ready and will be out soon.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Very nice to get the first December ski in the books. Your skis may encounter mowed grass, the occasional twig or root, and maybe a rock. Trails are rolled with good glide. No tracks are set. Mostly skate skiers out. Trails recommended from staff: River, Popple, Memory, Meadow, Blueberry (to cold feet), Cherry, Hilltop, Jack Pine, and White Pine. They suggest avoiding hills.

Photos:

(Michael Engel)