Today, I dropped the Ginzu knives just enough to scrape the deck and did multiple passes on the 6K, yielding a smoother surface and some corduroy. Can't till deeper because the base is so shallow. The classic track is <50% intact, and can't be restored until the next snowfall. The "Sprint Loop" on the 8K was also skate-groomed. For the time being, we are OK for skating, but very poor for classic skiing.

Photos:

(John Graham)

I kinda skied and walked at Snowflake today. Went out to Special K to see how it held up since last Thursday. The classic tracks are the same as they were last Thursday -- about 90% there and solid as heck, no ice. I classic ski with a very narrow racing skin and honestly think anything thicker would be a challenge and you would get caught on the tracks. The skate deck was a step above concrete, not really much of an edge anymore as it must have been very well used. If you like to go really fast when skating, you will have a blast.

(Eve Graves)

Optimistic view is that Snowflake has complete coverage and is completely skiable, which is amazing! Thanks so much. Some notes - the classic tracks looked in pretty poor shape, particularly on the blue trail. I found the blue loop a bit bumpier and with some ruts, whereas I was skidding out more on the red 6 km loop. I saw 6 rocks in total on the 10 km loop, all on uphills, so pay attention as they are easily avoided.

(Will Daniels)

Skiing was a lot better than I expected it to be! If you are good at transferring your weight you will "enjoy" it. If not, I'd skip it. We had a mix of new skiers and seasoned. The new skiers were sliding around a bit. The trail is hard packed, has some of the typical undulating surfaces in spots, and the groomers did a nice job of scratching up the surface to get a nice edge. The classic tracks were neither icy nor missing, as I had been told! We only did Special K today, wanted to skip the hills, and I'd say 90% of the classic tracks were intact and no ice at all. A nice dusting of snow in them! So if you know how to transfer your weight from ski to ski, and if you want real snow, head to Snowflake!

(Eve Graves)

No new grooming today. The cold temps help preserve our shallow base, but sunny days can be ablating the loose snow, so future grooming is limited until we get snow. Our classic tracks are about 70% intact, but shallow, glazed and icy. Our "fishscale" rental skis are pretty useless in these tracks. For that reason I am discouraging visitors who need rental skis from visiting until conditions improve. We'll be Open this weekend, skating should be fast but bumpy, but classic skiing will be a bit hairy. Think Snow.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Today we ran the Ginzus, with shallow knives, around the 8K (pictured). With the shallow base, we've got a smoothed surface that follows every contour in the ground, so it's bumpy. The 8K classic track is about 70% intact and icy. There's more exposed grass and debris than on the 6K. We also refreshed the deck on the 6K. Think Snow!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Surprisingly good coverage and conditions on the 6k loop. Firm, fast, a tad icy in some spots. Some uneven area and bumps. Some sections had bits of old track but most untracked and I wouldn't recommend classic there right now. A few areas with a little grass/straw poking through but could probably get away with using good skis here if you pay attention. They've done a great job with grooming/protecting the snow.

Photos:

(Gabrielle Hester)

For the amount of rain we had and the warm temperatures the groomers did an amazing job getting the skate deck back in shape! Did the 6 k and was actually very good and did I mention fast? But a controlled fast. Thanks again groomers for doing a fantastic job! Used B skis but had good cover. Some grass popping up on the special k but easily avoidable. Would not recommend classic skiing until we get more snow unless you venture into the world of klister!

(Joe Medlin)

Tonight we worked on restoring the 5K and Special K trails. Weather damage was compounded by deep footprints from some people walking their dogs down the trails, while they were closed, during the warm-up. Multiple runs with the Ginzu knive set shallow, yielded a pretty smooth skate deck with some corduroy, however it's very bumpy as the base follows the contours of the ground. The classic track set back on Dec 19 is about 70% intact, and is icy. We can't reset a track until we get more snow. We did not get onto the 8K. We'll be open 8-8 again, beginning Tuesday Dec 31. I suggest B-skis, rock skis if you have them. I also discourage visitors from using our rental classic skis right now; our fishscale bases will find little grip in the existing classic track. Skating will be fast! Happy 2025, Think Snow?

Photos:

(John Graham)

At 3pm today it was 40 degrees at Snowflake! We still have good coverage (photos), but it is wet, slushy, granular snow over ice. Our grooming plan is to remain closed on Monday, and allow this coverage to dry/drain and freeze. We'll see if we can lower the knives and create a skiable deck on Monday night. Think Snow.

Photos:

(John Graham)