Great opportunity to ski, especially if you don't have any snow at home. I skied the River and loops connected to it. Some grass turned up and some occasional rocks but if you pay attention it wont be a problem. I saw five grouse and was tempted to start biathlon.

(Erin Matula)

Grooming and skiing turned out way better than expected! The new two inches of snow groomed up well. We groomed about 35 km of skating lanes and set 50 km of classic tracks. We tried mixing the old snow with the new snow but had to be careful with the base. We did hit some debris and grass in resetting the classic grooves. Some of the skate lanes have thin areas under the conifers (Christmas trees),... but they are very skiable. The conditions this weekend are not as good as last weekend, however they are better than early season conditions because the Pisten Bullies have flatted and leveled the base. We need a bit more snow to open the black diamond trail.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

The magicians did it again, creating good skiing after midweek thaw, rain and wind. Skate deck firm with edge-able soft cover. Can easily skate around fallen twigs. Avoid low icy areas (e.g Sulos) and you’ll be fine. Classic tracks are more variable, from very good in most places to dirty and washed out a bit here and there. If you know where to go, you can use good skate skis, probably less good classics. All but Highland open.

(Will Andresen)

Skate lane is in good condition. Classic tracks are fair. Thin spot on the River Trail knoll. Surface is otherwise firm/hard and fairly level. Nice to be on snow!

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(Jonathon Rulseh)

About 2-3 inches of snow fell so far today and temps are at 14 F! I took a cruise on one of the light weight groomers at 2 PM, out on the trails and spent two hours doing recon and picking up branches. I was surprised that the trails were firming up quickly. I covered 20 km of combo trails picking major debris off the main trails. We plan to have 3-4 groomers out early morning Friday grooming with light groomers (not Pisten Bullies). I hope we will have 30-50 km groomed by 9 AM and skiable.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

I am just coming back from inspecting the trails. There is still snow on the ski trails, however it is too soft to ski or groom today. We plan to groom tonight or Friday early morning and plan to reopen Friday morning. Trails are closed today.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

So far so good. The base survived the melting up as of the last skiers at 4 PM and snow coverage is holding up thanks to the Pisten Bullies packing in the 47 inches of snowfall to date this season. We plan to have a crew on standby for grooming at 7 AM and go out when we can without damaging the base we have. I am not sure if it will be in the Pisten Bullies, Tracked JD Gators or snowmobiles ... but we are ready. We are going to delay opening the chalet, parking lot and the ski trails until 11 AM Thursday to let temps cool and groomers turn a potential icy surface to skiable. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I plan to update midday Thursday.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Great base down from the last snow storm so there is full coverage. Obviously a bit soft from the warm temps but that's a good opportunity to work on no pole technique. The skate/classic trails are firmer than the solely classic trails. Definitely worth it to ski unless you are easily aggravated by soft snow and occasional post holing.

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(Erin Matula)

Classic skied at ABR. Tracks were very good and solid. Skied parts of River, Tamarack Two Tracks, Memory Lane, Sulos, and White and Red Pine trails. Temps in low 30s.

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(Ken Kuznia)

We groomed up about 32 km today; 20 km with two groomers on light equipment out to the Highlands and East. I groomed about 12 km with the bigger Pisten Bully on the old ABR trails. The base was well covered except in two locations where the two groomers added snow to the downhills on the Highlands exit hill. We were grooming cold dry powder this morning! Temps got warm again today and we are still above freezing. I am not sure of the grooming plan for the morning but we have two groomers coming in at 7 AM and will decide then. The trails skied well today. I closed the Puumala Trails, Pelty and Ridge Runner(about 25 km) today to preserve snow on the steeper hills. The rest of the 95 km of trails is open.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)