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.

Photos:

(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.

Photos:

(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)

Good snow pack and coverage and great grooming. Trails exhibited a lot of usage. Fun to ski at ABR.

Photos:

(Ken Kuznia)

Classic skied this afternoon. What a gorgeous day! Conditions were perfect, but it felt like spring! Grooming was phenomenal. All 90+ km was reported groomed, and everywhere I skied the skate deck and tracks were some of the best I've seen. Kick was awesome, glide was fast, hills had traction for ascents, and downhills were firm enough to have minimal slop. Stopped skiing at 3 pm and the trails were still in phenomenal condition. Despite mid 40 degree temperatures the skate deck and tracks stayed solid! No slow, or soft spots noticed. Skied 38 km and it felt great, the conditions gave me perma-smile multiple times. Thank you to the Groomers for giving us the opportunity to ski on such remarkable conditions day after day! See you soon.

(Kevin Grand)

World class grooming at ABR today! Skating was outstanding on a firm well groomed skate deck. Classic skiers had nice deep classic tracks. All the trails have been meticulously groomed by the crew at ABR. Midwinter conditions if not better..

Photos:

(Richard Schulze)

Great classic conditions today. The groomers have been busy working their magic! One bumpy section on Tamarack Two-way, but nothing to worry about. Puumala trails are in great shape with just a couple ungroomed segments. Combi trails looked very nice too!

(Jonathon Rulseh)