Based on the good reports I have been seeing I decided to check out Snowflake today. I started skiing at 10am with a temp of 25F. With 2-3 inches of fresh powder if felt more like January then mid April. The skate deck was freshly groomed and looked firm and fast. Because of problems with the track setter the classic track was hand set but quite good for the most part. It looks like there is at least 8 inches of base still present. This is definitely the winter that won't quit giving us the best April skiing that I have seen here in the northland.

Photos:

(Gene Karwoski)

If you see John give him a big hug...Midwinter conditions on April 16th at Snowflake?! What a treat! Skate deck was great, thank you to whoever skied in the classic tracks like a groomer would! Special K tracks were not as nifty as the ones on the 4k. Nice slippery, not sticky, not icy, but just right kinda snow. Definitely your best skis! Anyone else wonder if George is working some magic for us this spring?

Photos:

(Eve Graves)

This morning we compacted and groomed the 6K trail skate deck. Surprisingly, the 2-3" of new snow was dry and powdery! The result is a lovely corduroy deck, that is soft, despite multiple runs. We cleared the downed trees and larger debris, but there remains some small debris, so B-skis suggested. We could not set a track, as our track-setter won't drop, but we left most of an old track and classic skiers are welcome to ski the right side. The 8K is not groomed and likely has some down trees, but it is 100% powder over crusty base, and open to skiers. Thanks to the cooler temps we are open all day from today thru Sunday. No dogs, due to soft conditions. This is likely our final grooming of the season, but you never know. Happy Easter!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Our base survived the wet, warm weather and current snow is restoring cover to a few thin/open spots. Wind did bring several trees down on to the trails. On Friday morning we plan to take our only "up" sled and a Ginzu around the 6K, cutting and clearing the trees as we go. Once the trail is clear we will finish grooming the skate deck and, if possible, set a classic track. The 8K is open, but will not be groomed. We will be open to skiers, no dogs, all day from Friday thru Sunday. Chalet will be open, please sign-in before you ski. Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Ramadan!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Surveyed the trail conditions today, and as the photos show, we had 3-4" of wet snow, atop a saturated base, which will leach water to the top once it is compacted. Temps go cold tonight, so we plan to compact the 6K trail and groom it for skating at sunrise on Saturday. If practical, we'll set a classic track. Then, we'll be open until Noon. We plan to repeat on Sunday morning. No dogs, and please sign-in before you ski.

Photos:

(John Graham)

The warm temps, rain, and mixed precip since Tuesday have saturated our base, and likely exposed ground on some south-facing sections. Too soft and wet to survey the trails at this time. So, we are closed to all activity until further notice. Today's winds, and some time, will help dry out the snow. When it is traffic-able we will survey the trails, determine if we can groom a trail, and update this post. Don't expect anything before Saturday. Mother Nature always has the final say!

(John Graham)

2-3" of wet, sticky snow overnight, atop a base that was already damp from the Sunday temps. I did 4 Ginzu runs in the 6K to compact the deck, but it is still soft and sticky. The clumpy snow thrown off the compactor buried the classic track, so we have the 6K groomed foe Skating. Classic skiers are welcome to ski the right side. 100% coverage, but lots of black spots coming-up. The previously groomed route on the 8K was not groomed today, but is open. Spring Hours, no nogs, and we plan to groom again Tuesday morning.

Photos:

(John Graham)

The 6K skate deck was groomed early this morning. Borderline temp of 32-33? after a warm night, but it is smoothed-out. The groomed sections of the 8K began to collapse under the weight of the sled/Ginzu, so we bailed-off that trail and left well-enough alone. Still 100% trail coverage. Saturday night temps forecast to drop into the 20's, so we plan to be running the Ginzu around the decks early Sunday morning.

(John Graham)

We have a solid base and 100% coverage, as of this morning. We groomed the skate decks on the 6K and the 5 groomed kilometers of the 8K early today. Very nice! The 6K has a classic track: rock-solid and 98% intact. Predictably icy early, but it improves as the sun hits it. It is a fast track. We are Spring Hours: Open 9730-Noon; closed Noon-5:30; Open 5:30-9pm if temps are below 36 degrees. We plan to groom the skate decks early on Saturday and Sunday mornings. No dogs on the premises, due to soft conditions. April skiing on corduroy!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Phenomenal skating on the 6k and groomed portion of the 8k this morning! Freshly groomed, fast and not at all icy. Classic tracks were more variable but overall decent. Get there while you can!

(Tom MacDonald)