Generally good, but slow conditions for skate. The snow is very cold from the last week and the mixed-in snow from yesterday, so expect a good workout. Sporadic grooming by the Pisten Bully provided a faster surface. The spreading and grooming of the new snowmaking was done when I got there so everything was open, but there are occasional icy spots on Magic Carpet and Hoot Owl that change the speed of the snow surface. Some tracks are brand new and looked great; others are left from yesterday and are a bit more broken down.

(John McCarthy)

The man-made loop was groomed this morning with the ginzu, and the tracks were dug out and reset. Conditions should be very good with this thin layer of fresh snow. There is a section of the trail closed for some additional snowmaking. It is closed from the bottom of Hoot-Owl Hill to the bottom of Magic Carpet. This means that there will be some two-way traffic in the section that goes through the woods. Please give snowmakers and groomers space while they are out there working. Grooming plans: Plans are to spread that snow later today and then groom it tonight with the piston bully, so the full snowmaking loop should be open tomorrow. Unfortunately, we did not get enough snow off of the man-made loop to groom the rest of the trails. So, for now, those trails will remain ungroomed.

(Collin Bergholz, Wisconsin DNR)

Fresh snow made a big difference on the trails today. Good conditions for skate with a variable depth, loose surface of dry, windblown snow on a firm base. Tracks were infilled with the new snow, providing a good kick. Downhills were a bit slow, but fun and easy to ski.

(John McCarthy)

The Piston Bully was out at night grooming the man made loop. The skate deck was tilled and is in great condition. New classic tracks were set and are full depth. The center leg of the lower loop was set up for the Wednesday night races.

(Mark Janis)

Great conditions for skate and stride. The recent till and groom of the skate lanes left an excellent surface of soft corduroy on a firm base. The old tracks are firm and fast, but picking up a little windborne debris. For those using waxable striding skis - like me - the surface is very abrasive, so don't expect your kick wax to last too long.

(John McCarthy)

The Piston Bully was out tilling the skate deck. The classic tracks were left as is and are in great shape. The skate deck is flat and firm. Dress warm!

(Mark Janis)

Skate deck was ginzu-groomed and had a thin layer of loose snow on a very firm base. Track was left from Saturday and was firm and fast. Transitions from track starts and stops were a little challenging as the surface was very firm with no loose snow.

(John McCarthy)

Good conditions on a cold day for the man-made trails. Classic skied about 10 miles (1.5 mile loops). Tracks were firm throughout, and I got good grip with my skins. Corduroy on the deck was hard and slick when I had to step out of the tracks. I drove up from Chicago to finally get some skiing in, and it was beautiful to sweat on a cold, cold sunny day. Thank you to the crew at Lapham!

Photos:

(Daniel Meyers)

Tonight the skate deck was groomed on all manmade trails. The tracks were not reset as they are still in great shape. The south section of playground area was also groomed. All trails are in great shape!

(Mike Koester)

Entire manmade trails and playground was tilled and new tracks set all around. Everything is in great shape. Reminder the Lapham Loppet race is today so expect heavy traffic till early afternoon. Please be courteous while out on trails.

(Mike Koester)