3-4” of fluffy powder fell this morning. We compacted all 14K, using 2 x 2 Ginzus, and then set a classic track on the 6K trail. The fluff compacted to about 1”, so the base is thin, and very soft, but 99% coverage on the skate decks. The track-setter was scraping ground in some segments, and it’s a soft-wall track, but the best we can do. Wind should fill the tracks overnight, and then they just need to be skied-in. We are open, the lighted loop will be on tonight, and things are much nicer than a week ago. Enjoy!

Photos:

(John Graham)

Could be worse, but it’s pretty bad as a result of the warmth, rain, quick-freeze, and winds. Lots of exposed grass and dirt; what’s not exposed is a 1/2” sheath of ice, mostly covered with an inch of dry snow. And lots of debris. Tomorrow we will survey the trails and clear the larger debris. The thin base is not groomable and there is not enough snow to compact, so we must wait for the next snowfall. Don’t be deceived by the apparent snow cover: it’s a thin, dry powder over ice. We remain closed until we get enough snow to groom.

(John Graham)

That December 5th snowfall served us well, but this week’s temps and today’s wet, have done it in. Lots of exposed ground already, and a slushy, thin base. We are closed thru Friday, and will likely be closed until the next groomable snowfall. The chalet will be open for members who want to use the wax room (the door is now unlocked). KidSki sign-up is still available (at our website) due by Dec 31st and won’t deposit checks until the program starts. Be well, Think Snow.

Photos:

(John Graham)

Our trails are beaten-up, the base too thin to groom, but most coverage survived today’s 43 degree high. We will be Spring Hours again on Tuesday: Closed between noon and 4 pm. Members are always welcome to ski before we open at 8, but the chalet may be locked. We will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. We’ll evaluate the damage once the trails re-freeze, and see what we can do.

(John Graham)

We are operating all trails, Skate and Classic, but with a pretty thin base. Trails have 99% snow cover, but too thin to use the Ginzu knives, so it’s bumpy and a bit icy. We won’t be able to groom or reset tracks until we get more snow. This week’s forecast requires that we go to Spring Hours on Monday: We’ll be open from 8 am - Noon, closed from noon - 4 pm, and open 4 - 8 pm. The lighted loop will be on until closing. Check Skinnyski or call for changes to the Tuesday hours, as this warm-up evolves. The photo is from our Friday night grooming, but we’ve had heavy use this weekend. Think snow!

Photos:

(John Graham)

I got out at sunrise at Snowflake and as pleasantly surprised to have basically first tracks on the 8K. They groomed and very little traffic on the trail. The 6K was more skied-in but still early season good. As always, it is an early season balance challenge at times with the bumps and unevenness of some of the trail but coverage was very good. Use your B skis confidently but watch out for a few rocks/roots here and there. Thank you soooo much to John and crew for turning last weekend's underwhelming 6+" into a very enjoyable ski. Pray for snow!

(Thomas Heinitz)

First time out this season. Very solid early season conditions with no bare spots and very few leaves and twigs. 5 and 10k loops groomed and hard packed with significant waviness on the skate deck. Awesome afternoon.

(David Mortenson)

When we started skiing it was like stone washed denim. However on the second loop around the 5k trail the groomers came around and we had fresh corduroy and they smoothed out a lot of the bumps.

(Rick Agar)

Great early season skiing at Snowflake! Tracks on the 6k were much better than expected, with full depth through most of the loop and just little patches of grass here and there. Unfortunately a furry friend did manage to put their paw prints right into the tracks for a good length of the whole 6k loop, but at 10º it's hard to lose kick. Impressively firm tracks for just being put in today. No tracks on the 8k as mentioned by the groomers but coverage was pretty good throughout - I have to imagine this is in part due to all the hard work put into these trails this summer and fall (Thank you Snowflake trail crew!). Very lumpy as early season skiing tends to be but no downhill lumps bottomed out in dirt or rocks. Thinnest areas were on uphills, especially where skiers had dug in down to ground. Did my best to flick off any particularly egregious sticks (and one lone rock) from the skate deck on the 8k.

(Ketzel Levens)

Today we Skate groomed all trails. The Sunday snow has compacted to a 2” base, and is not yet transformed, so a bit soft. We set a Classic track on the 6K, which has not yet set-up, but looks good considering the base. Some small debris on the trails. Our “new” 1.6K / 1 Mile lighted loop is on from 4:30-8:00 pm, and the chalet is open 8 am-8 pm. Non-vaccinated folks please wear a mask in the chalet, and during East HS Nordic practice (3:45-5:30) all folks are asked to mask-up in order to comply with high school protocols. A Grinch Warning: cars parked in the two lower parking lots were broken into last season. Don’t leave valuables in your car, park in the upper lots if possible, and note the make and model of any suspicious vehicles in the lots. Welcome back, Skiers!

Photos:

(John Graham)