Conditions similar to yesterday but icy and choppier in about 20% of the trails. Skied 10k look and parts of 6k-conditions close to the trailhead are icy and a choppier groom and the farther back deeper into the trail system the snow is more consistent and the groom has sections where it is the perfect sweetspot of corduroy groom with random icier corduroy which makes the downhills fast and interesting and uphill climbs are firm and fast. Two thin spots on 10k uphills but easily avoidable. Todays temp stayed under freezing and snow temp was -4.

Photos:

(Jill Troutner)

37* F above; Clear skies; renovated Eagles Run and Ridge Run used for Conference Race Yesterday; Hawks Trail and Run ; Rabbits Tr. ; and Cougars Run now renovated, combed and track set. With the warm up had to come in as snow was balling up where sun was hitting trail. Balance of trails groomed yesterday are in good condition. Started out mid morning at 23* above and tried to finish out grooming balance of the 20k network. Warm temps caught up to me so shut it down. Plan to continue grooming tomorrow.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Fun and fast conditions! Mix of fresh groom, skied in and roll pack. Pretty much all colder waxes were great-I had on green, my husband had blue and skis were great in all conditions.

Photos:

(Jill Troutner)

31* above for high; overcast skies; 6K loop; Wolf Run; Bucks Run renovated, combed and track set. Average base depth 4 to 5"; deck is firm; scattered leaves on Wolf run and Bucks Run. Good ski conditions. I started grooming out part of the conference race course Wednesday and had to do a double pass renovation to recondition the Jr. Course. Overall the trails held up well to all the traffic; what a beautiful day to be in the woods. Grooming plans: Grooming of balance of trails will continue on Thursday.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Mild temps/ west wind; Deer View, Black Bear, Eagles Run, and Ridge Run skied in with double track sets for the North Star Conference Race. Balance of trail system Groomed on Saturday. We had a great day for the North Star Conference Race held Tuesday. There were five teams participating and we started out in the mid 20's and finished the day at 37* with a west wind. Overall snow held up fairly good to the temps and traffic. Grooming plans: Grooming of the trails will be on going for the remainder of the week. Bring your good skis.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

Transformed snow has made for a firm pack-much faster conditions. Snow temp at -3. Hosting High School classic ski race this afternoon so double track set on sections of 6k and 10k loop. Track is solid and deep-snow still dry so track is crumbly in places.

Photos:

(Jill Troutner)

Trails in process of grooming. Average 5 to 6'base. Deck is still bit soft from fresh snow groomed over this past weekend. Please note that our ski trails will be closed to the general public Monday and Tuesday. We are hosting a Nordic conference event on Tuesday. In process of grooming for event yesterday and today. Open to public spectators.

Photos:

(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)

About 4" on new snow on Friday, freshly groomed for classic and skate. The deck was a little soft but a lot of fun. 25 degrees, wind was maybe 12 - 20 but trails are well protected. Make sure you venture out to the "Top of the Rainbow" (pictured). There are some exciting roller coaster hills.

Photos:

(Jeffrey Quam)

This was our first time at Rainbow resort XC skiing and we will definitely be back. Skied 6k of classic and 3k of skate this afternoon. Was surprised to see so much snow. The area recently received 4-6 inches of fresh snow and Doug had been working on the trails to get caught up on the grooming. Skating was great. Classic tracks were also very nice. Get out here and ski! It's deceiving because we live a little over an hour away and wouldn't have expected to see snow or conditions like this. The cinnamon rolls in the lodge are great too!

(Lance Strum)

Very good skiing at Rainbow Resort. The 6K loop (skate/classical combo) and 3K loop (classical only) were groomed since yesterday morning's several inches of snow. I think there was ongoing grooming of additional trail during the day. Result is slightly soft and slow, but generally very good conditions. I saw no bare ground or obvious thin spots, and only very little forest debris. I think good skis would be fine.

(John Hershberger)