The new snow from Tuesday/Wednesday has been groomed and had a chance to firm up a bit. Most of the parts of the system that I skied are in good condition, with a few trouble spots in the track and the skate lane. I wouldn't use my best skis, except on the manmade snow loops, where the solid base has lead to excellent conditions for skate and stride.

(John McCarthy)

Excellent conditions on the manmade snow loops. Firm, flat, snowy surface on a solid base -- doesn't get any better. Solid tracks throughout the manmade loops. The manmade snow covers a total of about 2.4 kilometers of trail, plus the instructional area. Elevation change from the trailhead up to the highest point (on the Green Cutoff) is about 75 feet. Trails in the woods are great! Flick a stick or pine cone when you see one! Thank You, volunteer snowmakers and snow spreaders, and the DNR trail grooming team, for a fantastic XC Ski venue!

(John McCarthy)

I skied the outer black loop since it appeared that many people had been there skiing on those trails. The uphills had a few sections with exposed rocks and erosion control beams. The downhills were much better with only a few dirty areas or exposed tree roots. There was enough snow to control your descents on the hills. A little more snow and the outer black loop would be in great shape. The snowmaking loops are in excellent condition and you could use your best skis if you stuck to those trails.

(Daniel Henning)

Skiing was great on the manmade loops on Friday morning, although ongoing snowmaking operations were impacting some sections. The skate deck was well groomed, firm, flat, and fun. A double set of tracks was set around the core loop, with a single track on other segments. The snow on the two out-n-back segments has firmed up nicely, making for great skiing. Snowguns were going strong at the ends of the out-n-back segments to fill in the gaps and create a full loop around the Green Cut-off and Magic Carpet, once it gets a chance to cure and be spread by the snowcat.

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(John McCarthy)

Clipped out of work a little early to ski at Lapham on the man made snow loop. Boy was it worth it! Great coverage, well groomed and they have opened up a new section. It runs out and back from the top of Summer Stage hill to the base of Two Tier using the "Fright Hike" cut off. It will eventually connect as a loop to Magic Carpet. The new section is a little sugary but nothing worse than anything after wave two of the Birkie. Very well done staff and volunteers! The tracks looked very good as well. Many classic skiers out today. With that new section a loop is over 2K if you take all the trails (up the shot hill and up and down on Magic Carpet).

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(Tom Davenport)

Excellent conditions on the expanded manmade snow loops. The core loops, with the solid base created in December and the new manmade snow over the last several weeks, skied beautifully. Skate lanes have a loose, fine layer of powdery snow on a firm base. A double classic track is set throughout the core trails. The new 'south out-n-back' has a very loose surface in the center skate lane with tracks set on both side. The 'out-n-back' up Magic Carpet has a firmer surface, is narrower, and does not have classic tracks. Should be great for the Lapham Loppet on Saturday.

(John McCarthy)

The core manmade loops are in very good condition, with multiple tracks set for striding. Two out-and-back segments of the new "into the woods" trails were opened to skiing today. The segments add about 1/2 kilometer in trail length. A full outside loop with the two new segments is about 2.2 kilometers. There are many permutations of trail segments available, with plenty of manmade snow. Pictures are from the new segments opened today.

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(John McCarthy)

The new added sections on the manmade were great and added variation instead of skiing the same loop. The climb up tail end hill was groomed for good climbing and long decent on the magic carpet was fast with enough edging for control. Thanks to the groomers and those who continue to provide donations for the snowmaking that makes this skiing possible with the absence of real snow.

(Don Howell)

This morning at 8 AM conditions on the man-made snow loops at Lapham are superb! The new 0.5K spur from Summer Stage to the bottom of Two Tier has one track set on each side of the out and back. The spur up Magic Carpet is now groomed also - no track on this shorter spur. All man-made snow covered trails have a great skate deck and nice tracks (some 2 abreast). Come and enjoy deep snow in this oasis of Winter Paradise! Many Thanks to volunteer Snow gun and Snow cat operators and DNR staff.

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(Anne Riendl)

The new snow has been spread at Lapham and some of the best skiing of the year will be had over the next period of days. Track was well set and very firm. It was very tempting to turn right at the top of first Summerstage climb and as of Wednesday morning you will be able to do just that! Enjoy the new additions to the loop and good training to all!

(Charlie Ritter)