What little was left of the snow is now a solid chunk of ice. Trails have been open to hikers for a few days now, so it's safe to say that this is the end of the skiing season at Blue Mound State Park. It's worth noting that even during this warmest winter on record, the mound was skiable for about consecutive 8 weeks, providing better conditions than some trails hundreds of miles to the north. Hopefully these trails continue to be this resilient. I send my sincerest thanks to the park staff and local volunteers.

(Kyle Richard)

Well there is still snow out there at the magnificent Blue Mounds on the north facing slopes in the woods. Specifically I found snow on Willow Springs but it is going quick. Today was a bit dicey skiing but man it was soft and fun. Hike out a few hundred yards to snow on Willow Springs in the morning if you are a diehard.....

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(Christopher Quandt)

The ski trails are open to hikers now, so combined with the heat, the trails have been predictably trashed. Rock skis only. You'll have to walk a ways from the trailhead to find "skiable snow". The Willow Spring Trail (green) and part of Flint Rock (red) are technically skiable, but it's mostly thin, super compacted snow/ice with the occasional segment of decent snow. Part of the spring house trail and especially the cutoff were also in decent shape. Anything excluding those is just bare ground or patchy enough that you'll have to often take off your skis.

(Kyle Richard)

Well if you hike out to Willow Springs trail with your skis you will find snow. Most of the trail has snow to ski on. It was a bit icy this afternoon but that 1/2" of new snow last night made it a bit better. Tomorrow should be better with the warmer temps.

Photos:

(Christopher Quandt)

Had to hike out past the trailhead to get to snow but found plenty of good skiing on Willow Springs trail. Very nice. Flint Rock and other trails I skied to did not have enough snow to ski on.

Photos:

(Christopher Quandt)

It was beautiful skiing today at Blue Mounds. Plenty of snow in the woods but open areas got skinny for snow. Tomorrow morning should be beautiful again. Go get it now if you can.

Photos:

(Christopher Quandt)

I skated the yellow, green, red, and campground loops, which are the only groomed loops at this time. No tracks have been set. The yellow loop is mostly great, but there's an area right after the steep uphill that is now extremely thin. The green loop is in excellent shape. Both the cutoff and the downhill from the spring house have good coverage. The red loop is good until you get to the steep downhill into the campground, which you will need to walk. The campground itself, while skiable, is rapidly thinning, and there is bare asphalt in many areas. It's a lot better once you hop on the pool trail and head back to the trailhead. Despite the lack of set tracks, I saw a ton of classic skiers of all ages and abilities out and about enjoying the conditions.

Photos:

(Kyle Richard)

Surprising amount of snow. Skate skied the red and green loops but did back track at the downhill into campground where it was coned off. Mostly good cover uneven with twigs and debris- some small patches of ice. B skis for sure. Afterwards did drive over to campground - had snowcover but did not venture out to try out.

(Dan Dudley)

BMSP received about 3" of snow according to park staff. The yellow, green, red, and campground loops were groomed earlier today, but the red loop's steep downhill into the campground is still mostly open, and marked with cones. I skied the the full yellow and green loops, and did the staff-recommended out-and-back to the campground hill on the red loop. Conditions were overall pretty good! Flats and downhills were a bit firm, steep uphills were a bit soft. Very few footprints on the trails today, which is a true miracle. The green loop is in great condition, full coverage throughout. There's an avoidable icy patch if you decide to take the uphill to the spring house at the intersection, but that's the only imperfection I noticed. The red out-and-back was mostly good. There was a bare section you had to walk before that now has coverage, but it's thin. Similarly, the yellow loop is mostly good, and the previously bare spot after you crest the steep uphill is now covered but quite thin.

(Kyle Richard)

Amazing. Skated the campground area this morning. Surprised to find good cover for most of the area. Park near the maintenance area then walk a bit to get to the snow. Managed to ski a 2km loop without hitting any major bare ground spots. Timed it just right as it was 32F so softening up, breaking down the ruts. After a bit turned to slush so timing is everything. Amazing and probably the only spot in the park where the hikers haven't destroyed yet. The only place in southern WI where you can still ski on natural snow!

(Dan Dudley)