ABR provided great skiing Thursday and Friday. I used good skis. There are a few low, icy, re-frozen spots that are easy to spot and get around. The Popple Flats trail has been enhanced with some gently rolling terrain and offers a choice to branch off onto Popple Hills, which has re-purposed some of the hold Peltonen hills.

(Charlie Dee)

The trails groomed up well this morning and are skiing like mid winter conditions. The recreational skiers are enjoying the conditions. We have a full team of groomers scheduled for any new snow tonight.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Classic skied about 36 to 38 km this morning into the afternoon. My first 30+ km ski of the season. Tracks were good, soft in some spots, mostly because it was still windy today, so windblown in field/open areas. I hit as many uphill climbs as possible. Fun, soft and awesome! Hope I didn't ski it before it opened, didn't see anything taped off or signs, but included two loops in the Highlands. Conditions were great, couple spring area with ice but most unnoticeable. Tracks and skate deck were solid here. Just a phenomenal ski! If only I got my wax right with the 20 degree temperature change.... Groomers you rock! Thank you.

(Kevin Grand)

Four groomers were out for a long shift again today getting the new snow firmed up and opening the Highlands. The classic only trails to the south are not ready yet, they need to freeze down, but the Highlands combination trails are skiing well with good skis. Grooming plans: The Pisten Bully will be out again Friday or Saturday as needed. We are skiing on 78 km of trails today, maybe more this weekend.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Used my A- skis, skied Jack Flats trail. Great day out. Saw one wet spot, easily by-passable. Set tracks, beautiful and easy going.

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(Missi King)

The 7-9 inches of dense snow turned us back into winter wonderland conditions. We groomed yesterday through the snow storm, and we had a team of 5 out this morning. We buffed out 55 km of classic and 15 km of skating and then rolled another 40 km to freeze with the single digit temps overnight. We plan on opening the South for the weekend including the Highlands. We are now ready for the locals and recreational skiers.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Classic skied about 23 km late morning today. Phenomenal conditions! Freshly groomed after the 8 to 10 inches of new snow. I just stuck to River Trail, flats area and Blueberry loops. The tracks were fairly fast, a little wind blown because of the wind today. Skate deck on up hills and down hills was firm/soft making climbs and control down hill a breeze. Just a awesome ski! Thank you for all your hard work groomers.

Photos:

(Kevin Grand)

We groomed a 20 km loop this morning with three of us groomers, pretty much sticking to the the main trails. Without new snow we were sticking to the skate lanes. New tracks were set Sunday with the Pisten bully. Then we headed out and groomed the Highlands and Windy ridge. That 35 km loop is not open yet but should be soon. Early season conditions it is important to find out what is groomed.

Photos:

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Great early season conditions overall. There were stretches of trail that were freshly groomed corduroy with deep tracks. Other stretches had some open patches, rocks or water. Pick your route wisely and thank the snow gods (and Eric and Angela) you're skiing in the Midwest on Thanksgiving weekend!

(Leif Gilsvik)

Icy with dirt and rocks showing and water flowing. We turned around three times to get back on better groomed trails. We had to take off our skis on River Trail hill. Hopefully more snow will be here soon.

(Karen Possley)