From the Oberg trailhead I skied out west Oberg, around the Picnic Loop and back via Hogback, Homestead, and the connector. Tracks on Oberg and Picnic loop were shallow and drifted in from the last two nights of snow dustings and wind. But they provide support and were firm and after being skied in by me and others that followed are in good condition. Hogback and Homestead were a different story. For some reason those tracks have the same problem they did two days ago when I last skied them. They are soft, of variable depth where they have collapsed, and continued to collapse when I tried to ski them. In my opinion they are only skiable at a walking pace. I stayed on the skate deck which was much firmer. Back on the connector the tracks were back to shallow and firm and skiable. Hope Homestead and Hogback classic tracks can be regroomed soon. Picnic was a delight and I will be back to try it again tomorrow.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied from the Sawbill Trail trailhead. Really nice coverage and grooming. Good skis are fine. Best skiing of the season so far.

(Rick Budde)

From the Britton Peak trailhead I classic skied out and around the Homestead and Hogback loops. Snow was cold and glide was minimal. The skate deck is reasonably firm, but the classic tracks were soft and not set up yet in spite of the last 24 hours of sub zero temps, resulting in variable depth and break throughs which grabbed boots and disrupted glide and thru me off balance. For most of the way around, I stayed out of the tracks after several falls. There was a little stubble and ice/dirt spots so I am glad I was on B skis. Great to be on natural snow and the recent snowfall is great but we need more!

(Tim Nelson)

There is good snow coverage throughout the system. About 6 inches of light fresh snow that was just a little soft in a few spots but not bad. Lots of wind lately has blown some snow into the classic tracks but they are in good shape where people have skied. Good skiing on the North Shore.

(Mark Hennessy)

I skated the Picnic Loop from Onion River Rd, including Homestead loop. They were able to make a nice skate deck considering what they were working with. Some tree and rock debris, along with the occasional hole/mini crevasse to hop over but overall, I was impressed. Not enough snow depth to set tracks. Keep doing your dances.

(Barry Buhr)

Onion River Road is a pleasant surprise. Probably the best easy terrain available within 90 minutes of Duluth. About 3.5 miles one way. Classic track was shallow but intact with full coverage and minimal debris. Skate deck was hard but not icy; full coverage and minimal debris. The parking lot was a slippery death zone. Didn't try any other trails.

(Todd Struckman)

Skied most of the open trails including picnic loop - definitely recommend sticking to onion river road and picnic. Onion river road was perfect and most of picnic was in good shape. Homestead was very treacherous.

(Jacquelyn Bacigalupi)

I was striding and lots of wind blown debris in the tracks. Away from evergreens, tracks very nice, but most of the time, pretty grabby with tracks filled with needles. Skate deck okay according to my skating companions.

Photos:

(Eric Chandler)

Attempted to classic ski the Onion River Road on my fish scale skis. Large amounts of tree debris has collected in the icy tracks and made gliding a very jerky experience. Skate deck was also very icy. But it worked better than the tracks. Don't stop dancing until it snows!

(Tim Nelson)

The trails were in great condition today! I skied up ORR and took a left on a "most difficult trail" when I saw that it was recently rolled. The coverage was great except for a spot where a creek goes through the trail. I only went up a few kilometers and back but it looked like the entire loop was groomed for skating. Great job groomers!

Photos:

(Melissa Kittock)