Wonderful ski conditions on manmade loops. Groomed new snow on top of hardpacked base. It was my fastest skiing in 18 times this season with good edging and great glide. Thanks to the groomers.

Photos:

(Don Howell)

Very good conditions for skate and stride on the manmade loops this morning. The core loops were tilled yesterday, providing loose snow for the first Wednesday Night race. Grooming overnight firmed up the surface for this morning, but it began to loosen up as the day progressed. Another small area of new manmade snow was added near the trailhead. Large 'whales' of manmade snow have been created on Magic Carpet, south of Tail End, and on the south trail from Summerstage Hill. Pictures of the new snow on these trails are included. Note that the new manmade snow is not yet ready for skiing, but will be spread in the near future, expanding the length of skiable manmade snow trails.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

Skied the manmade loops this morning. Today's new snow added a nice coating on the icy base, making for very skiable conditions - better in some sections than others, but good throughout. The double set of tracks looked to be good. Of note: tilling of the trail with the snowcat was in progress, blending the new snow with the top layer of the icy base. A bit of new manmade snow has been added on the NW corner of the north loop. Snowmaking has been in progress since yesterday - new areas of trail coverage will include (when the snow is spread) the segment of Magic Carpet south of the junction with Tail End (aka the Spur), and the segment going south from Summerstage Hill. Thank the volunteer snowmakers and the DNR team when you see them.

(John McCarthy)

Skied around noon today for a short time. The rain yesterday did a number on the trails. They did pick up about two inches of snow that they worked in with the scarred ice but still had many icy spots. They are running a couple of snow guns to help cover the trail and expand it. The plan is to run the guns throughout the night and have the 1K loop skiable for the Wednesday night races which start tomorrow.

(Tom Davenport)

Skied the man made loop late this morning and was very pleased. The staff did and excellent job mixing in the half inch of real snow we received on Friday and early Saturday to the man made snow that survived the rain. Deck was flat and good layer of loose snow to get an edge in over the majority of the trail. Only a couple of spots were scraped down to the ice base. Lots of diagonal stride folks too enjoying the very firm tracks. Well done LP staff! They are scheduling more snow making to supplement the trails and and a bit of expansion into the woods!

(Tom Davenport)

Surprisingly good skiing with enough loose snow to provide nice edging for skating on a hard base. It was fast with good glide. Only one small icy spot easy to avoid. Yesterday they groomed the ice surface to make it skiable. Should be good tomorrow.

Photos:

(Don Howell)

The Ranger's report from early this evening indicates that the manmade loop responded well to grooming and is back to skiable condition. It was reported that a track was set.

(John McCarthy)

I took a look at the manmade loops at noon today. The attached pics show that the trails are still fully covered. The surface is a firm, icy base that should be good for skiing again after a thorough grooming.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)

As advertised, the snowmaking loops are in great condition with a loose layer of fine corn snow on a firm base. Very fun skating. A new track has been set, with mixed results. The good news - temps will stay at freezing and below, so skiing will be good all day, for a while - enjoy!

(John McCarthy)

Very nice skating on the manmade snow loops the afternoon. Tilling of the trail overnight (Thanks, Beattle) created a loose corn snow surface. Ice? Banished! Things are a little rough on the corners, but grooming should smooth that out.

Photos:

(John McCarthy)