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.

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(Michael Engel)

Was a beautiful warmer than predicted day to be skiing. Skiing on natural snow in November was a special treat. It was early ski conditions with uneven conditions with twigs and grass tuffs every now and then. Skied River Trail and few other green trails.

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(Cheryl Corbeille)

Early season conditions in a lot of areas, with some trails like the River Trail looking a bit better. Great to be skiing again (in November!) after the winter that never happened.

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(Levi Smith)

We groomed about 78 km of trails this morning. The trails are starting to level out close to the trailhead. The other trails to the south need more snow but we are grooming them to freeze them down. We had many happy skiers today. The 32 km that are close to home have been skiing well....for early season. The others will open for skiing soon.

(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)

Trails open tomorrow. Fortunate enough (since I work there) to ski the initial grooming efforts. I covered river trail, memory lane, and blueberry bluffs. No track yet and the snow depth was packed to about 3 inches and still a bit soft.
We have a lot of snow with an army of groomers out today. Snow still falling and the groomers are set to roll at 0600. Tomorrow should be a great opening day.

(Jay Sween, ABR Trails)

Opening Saturday at 9 am! What a great day! Woke up early to 6 inches of fresh snow and 16 degrees. Six groomers came in and the loader/plow operator -- it was great to hang out with this crew all day. Most of them had family in town for the holidays but they were all here ready to groom this morning. We packed 66 km of trails and we plan to open 32 km for early skiing Saturday. Conditions are variable, early season, subject to change. Expect thinner, bumpy conditions and no classic tracks.

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(Eric Anderson, ABR Trails)