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)

The skate deck of the entire snowmaking loop was groomed this morning with the Ginzu. Tracks were left as is, and looked to be in good condition and had a fresh dusting of snow in them form last night. Just a reminder that the Lapham Loppet is on Saturday, so the trail will be very busy Saturday morning.

(Collin Bergholz, Wisconsin DNR)

Very good conditions for skate and stride. A cold, firm skate deck with a bit of loose snow on top. Solid tracks, set for tonights races. Some icy-chunky spots up on the Woods Loop where new snow was made and spread yesterday. Good control down Magic Carpet.

(John McCarthy)