Freshened up the trails around Isles and Bed Maka Ska. Mostly went over the skate deck a number of times to scratch it up a bit. The deck is firm, flat and should be fast. Reset the inner classic track on BMS. The rest of the classic tracks are still deep and firm. Lots of folks out enjoying the sunshine and snow right in the heart of the city!

(Michael Gotzsche)

Cedar and Brownie have no Nordic classic tracks yet post Loppet races. Skate deck looked ok; but the walkers, fat bikers and others have trashed the classic tracks. Pray the groomer will visit all the Chain of Lakes.

(Stephen Tannen)

Beautiful conditions for both classic and skate. Entrance to Cedar Lake remains closed but skated the entirety of Lake of the Isles and Bde Maka Ska. Inside classic lane is blown over on part of Bde Maka Ska, but the outside classic lane is in good shape throughout. Skate deck is very firm from use. As usual, less coverage under bridges but there is a manmade snow crossing under the longest one.

(Christina Ewig)

Skied Bde Mka Ska. Perfect for skate or freestyle. Bad to terrible for classic: Groomed tracks are washed out or blown over on 60-80% lake.

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(Stephen Tannen)

Windblown over about 1/3 to 1/2 classic tracks. Quick kick and glide in sections where snow not blown into tracks.

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(Stephen Tannen)

Immaculate and Divine Nordic ski at Bde Mke Ska. MadShus skinny "race" wax less classic aided me to my fastest loop this season. Sunny. No wind. Nice fellow skiers out also.

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(Steve Tannen)

Course recon #1: Skied Brownie and Cedar Lakes, plus part of the land section of Cedar, scoping out the start of the City of Lakes Loppet courses. Final grooming hasn't taken place, but there was a fairly recent grooming that roughed up the skate deck for good edging. The start area at Cedar wasn't groomed out wide yet, nor was there a second trail on the east side of Cedar. Skied down the Isles channel to see the major construction, including steel wall, which makes using the channel impossible this winter. The trail on Cedar Lake had plenty of snow and good pole plants. The small portion of the land section we skied was a little bowed, and there were some low branches just before return to the lake. The tunnel between Cedar and Brownie had plenty of snow and good clearance. Brownie was in good shape, as well as the hill up to South Wirth. No issues with good skis.

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(Bruce Adelsman)

Isles and Bed Maka Ska were freshened up this morning. Was able to remove most of the divots from walkers and bikers leaving a nice firm, smooth skate deck. The classic tracks are looking great. Also groomed the walker/biker trail that is closest to shore. Was a little chilly out there but it's gonna warm up!

(Michael Gotzsche)

I skied the lake chain tonight at 6:30. The trail was firm and should be in good shape the Loppet. Start green with some toko cold powder made the glide good. The classic track was set and looked really good. Everyone must have been hibernating tonight with the cold temps, I didn't anyone skiing:).

(Jim Williams)

All the trails on Lake of the Isles and Bda Mka Ska, including the Lagoon connection were groomed on Sunday afternoon. The skate deck on Isles is setting up nicely, but Ska is still a little soft due to the fresh/windblown snow getting packed for the first time - these cold nights should get it solid pretty quickly. There are also fresh classic tracks on both sides of Isles, and the outside of Ska. Signage was put up reminding users that the outside loop is for walkers and bikers, with the trail between the two classic tracks for skiing. Enjoy the Lakes and don't believe the hype...it's not that cold if you dress for success!

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(Craig Rittler)