Trail Detail
Notes
Trails groomed daily, as necessary. Classic and skating, Lessons available for individuals and groups. Warm chalet with showers, sauna, changing rooms, lounge area, snacks.Trail Reports
2021-2022 season
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Morning
posted: 2022-03-15 13:37:17
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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My oh my, absolutely fabulously fantastic (insert your own adjectives) conditions for skate this morning at Snowflake. I ski this trail system a lot and this is the best I have seen in a great winter of skiing! Of course, timing your ski is everything with Spring skiing but so is the grooming. I love the nighttime grooming (especially for we early morning skiers) and so much appreciate the work John and his crew do this time of year to give us really great Spring conditions. Classic tracks are a little glazed but deep and solid in most places. As Tim indicated, the base is deep and our smiles will continue as we enjoy natures bounty of winter snow through the Spring. Best time of year!
(Tom Heinitz)
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Morning
posted: 2022-03-15 11:36:18
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: All, ]
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This is the time of year when groomers John and Jim really shine! The phone message said they were out until 1 AM last night, and early this morning it surely showed. Look at the pictures, I don't see how it could have been better. Fast, perfectly-groomed corn snow, just getting up to freezing and sunny sky. Most enjoyable skate ski of the year for me. On the picture by the "Tim's turn" sign, the left pole is poked into the snow, and the right pole basket is sitting on the snow. A good two feet of snow at the edge of the trail.
(Tim Holst)
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Morning
posted: 2022-03-15 02:20:08
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Last night we ran two Ginzus around the 6 and 8K trails, twice, to clean up the ruts, and dog-tracks that had already become "craters" over three warm, sunny days.
The skate decks groomed-up very nice (photos). We debated setting new classic tracks, but decided that any track we set tonight, would not be as firm tomorrow as the existing tracks, which are still fair/good. So everything is groomed skate and classic. Today we begin Spring Hours and trails will be closed from Noon-5:30pm. If temps are above 34 in the evening, we ask that you consider not skiing. From today, Snowflake is also "No Dogs" on the premises, due to the conditions and so that we can maintain decent trails while we have this base.
(John Graham)
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Sunday, March 13, 2022
Afternoon
posted: 2022-03-13 18:06:50
Firsthand: Classic Scheduling [ Trails Open: All, ]
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I classic skied both the 6 and 8K trails this afternoon, under sunny skies and 33 degree temp. Once clear of the trailhead, classic tracks on both trails were well-defined and very nice to ski in. There are a few washouts in the hard turns, and a few areas of the 8K had been blown-in, but I'd call the tracks 95% good. As the groomer, I am pretty critical. The skate decks had seen good use, the 6K much more than the 8, but on the whole, good conditions. Grooming Plans: On Tuesday Snowflake will go to Spring Hours. Trails will be open 0700-Noon, closed from Noon-5:30pm, then open from 5:30-9pm. The Chalet will be open by 8am and will close at 9pm. The lighted Loop will be lit from 7:15-9pm. Also, beginning Tuesday 3/15 we are closed to members'dogs. Under the forecast conditions dogs/dog-tracks will damage our base and trails, beyond what we can repair. We have a great base and will continue to groom so long as we can get our Ginzus around a skiable loop. Spring restrictions should extend our season into April.
(John Graham)
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Friday, March 11, 2022
Morning
posted: 2022-03-11 10:36:25
Firsthand: Classic [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Wind blown refresh of the classic tracks for good kick but 5F means not much glide on the hard packed trails. So nice, I did a second loop. I just skied Janes 5K.
(Mark Boyce)
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Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Night
posted: 2022-03-09 00:08:44
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Tonight we groomed all of our skate decks. They cleaned-up nicely, should be very nice for the rest of the week. We had planned to rip-out and reset all classic tracks but, as we examined them, decided that we can not improve on the hard, skied-in tracks, for the time being. I classic skied both trails the past two days, and they are very nice; the 8K a bit shallower than the 6K, but well-defined and fast. I'll update hours and restrictions this weekend. Enjoy this week and try the lighted loop!
(John Graham)
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Sunday, March 6, 2022
Morning
posted: 2022-03-06 13:10:32
Grooming Scheduling [ Trails Open: All, ]
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The weekend storm passed south of us, and only dropped a little rain, ice, and snow on our trails. This morning we groomed the skate decks on both trails, and, thanks to yesterday's moisture, they are firm and smooth. The classic tracks are firm under about 1/2" of snow, and just need to be skied-in. Right now, the 6K is closed as we host a Biathlon meet, but it will be open to all at 2:00 pm. The trails are open 7 am - 9 pm every day, and the chalet is open 8-8. It will be nice skiing this week!
(John Graham)
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Friday, March 4, 2022
Afternoon
posted: 2022-03-04 18:48:38
Grooming Scheduling [ Trails: Closed, ]
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This morning we did a fresh grooming of the skate decks on both the 6K and 8K trails. Trails are firmand tracks are very good (photo). We're open til 9 pm tonight, and I hope the trails saw good use today. Grooming plans: Tonight a storm with mixed precip is forecast to bring snow, mix, and rain, continuing through Saturday until Sunday morning. In order to preserve our fabulous base, and expedite post-storm recover/grooming, Snowflake will be closed from Saturday morning until sometime on Sunday afternoon. To complicate the weather, we are hosting a Minnesota Biathlon meet on Sunday, scheduled to begin at 11 am. So, on Sunday morning we will be trying to open and groom the biathlon course on the 6K trail. The 6K will be closed to non-participants until the end of the event (@ 3 pm) once the course is groomed, we will try to open the 8K, or sections of it to skiers, but it all depends on what this storm delivers, and how wet the trails are. I'd suggest skiers not plan to ski Snowflake until Monday; if we let the base dry-out, we could have good trails thru next week.
(John Graham)
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Friday, February 25, 2022
Afternoon
posted: 2022-02-25 17:25:15
Grooming [ Trails Open: All, ]
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Today we compacted and skate groomed another 3 km of the 8K trail, hooking it into the segments groomed yesterday. So, we have about 7 km of the 8K groomed for Skating. The un-worked segment is the Pulse/Daves Doom loop, so just follow the grooming and use the bypass. No classic track on the 8K because the sleds could not get traction to pull the track-setter up the hills. Classic skiers may ski the sides of the trail. The 6K trail is groomed for slate and classic: firming-up from use and grooming, and the track is lovely. Good Luck, Birkie, Kortie, P. H. and Barnie Skiers!
(John Graham)
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Thursday, February 24, 2022
Afternoon
posted: 2022-02-24 20:49:44
Firsthand: Freestyle [ Trails Open: Partial, ]
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Skied the 6k several times. Smooth, firm skate deck and excellent looking, freshly-minted classic track. Three groomers have been out the last three days integrating our last big snowfall. Thanks, groomers, for your efforts!
(Gordon Mesedahl)
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