After enjoying the natural snow in the Madison area over the past 6 weeks I finally made the 50-minute drive east to Lapham Peak to prep for the manmade stuff awaiting me in Cable next weekend. Had a great time at Lapham enjoying super fast ball bearing skate conditions. The classic track was icy and so fast you could double pole uphill if that was your thing. I offer up an "excellent" rating not so much for the conditions but for the super fun loop and the chatty social setting. I ran into several friends from the Milwaukee area that cut into my "moving time " but I could get used to these artificial snow venues. If that is the future of Midwest Nordic so be it — although hard to top the single track classic trails at ABR!

(Mike Ivey)

Moved from the Playground to the northeast segment of the Field Loop, including the run-out from Magic Carpet, and to the bare spot in the center of the finishing straightaway, improving those trail segments. Harvested snow has also been placed in some of the worst sections of the classic tracks, but not yet groomed in - thank you to whoever did this. Downhills are in great condition.

(John McCarthy)

Great skate conditions this morning. Tracks are old and getting thin. Mark pushed and pulled a little more snow around so the entire loop is skiable. There are still a few creeping dirt areas on the sides. Most notably at the bottom of magic carpet in the tracks. Was the trip there worth it? Absolutely!

Photos:

(Jim Marschalek)

The Piston Bully was out grooming the man made loops at night. The skate deck was tilled and is in good condition. It is getting thinner in spots and some ice is showing up. The classic track couldn't be improved so it was left as is. Hopefully we will get more snow, any little bit will help.

(Mark Janis)

The Ginzu-groomed snowmaking trails have a shallow layer of fine corn snow on a firm ice base, softening in the sun and rising temps. Deeper corn snow on the Green Cutoff, then firmer on the way down Magic Carpet, till the curve, where it gets a bit slushier. Ice patches not as bad today. Tracks are old, and generally clean but are occasionally interrupted by bare or bad spots.

(John McCarthy)

The icy skate deck on the man-made loop was groomed this morning with the ginzu. Conditions should be pretty good early and will likely soften up as the day goes on. The tracks were left as is. There are a few bare spots forming in the skate deck and the classic tracks, but they can all be skied around.

(Collin Bergholz)

Good conditions on the man made loops this afternoon. Just a few areas to dodged around on the northern section coming down the magic carpet ride. Fast, fun and firm are the big 3 F's for the day. I was told that the Lapham crew will address the thin areas as soon as it gets cold enough to make more snow. Thank You grooming crew for the outstanding job and keeping the man made trails open in this extremely difficult winter. I would used good B skis for now just in case any stones are brought onto the trail system by accident. Beautiful sunset.

(Matt Stanke)

Best skating conditions since the big snowfall. It was firm and enough loose snow for edging. The few icy spots were not a problem. Thanks to the groomer and his early report. I came at noon and left at 2 pm and it still was firm and not mushy.

(Don Howell)

Very good conditions for skate on the snowmaking loops this morning. A solid ice base with a shallow layer of fine corn snow provided easy cruising conditions on the majority of the loops. The Magic Carpet downhill was great, but there was any icy patch at the bottom that you just had to ride over, followed by several other icy patches that are easy to traverse. Tracks from yesterday were holding up well, but there were occasional bare spots, and especially one at the bottom of Magic Carpet.

(John McCarthy)

Arrived at Lapham early morning to find fresh tilled groomed trail consisting of solid base with half inch groomed corn type snow making for fast but controllable conditions. A couple icy spots on the loop but easy to go around. Put in 35km of enjoyable skiing. Thank You groomers! Parking lot was packed by the time I left at 10:30am.

(Dan Dudley)