Trails are patchy at best. My suggestion, with temps like this, bust out the shorts and go for a run instead.

Photos:

(Brian Ploehn)

The Pavilion/Field Loop was very doable on classic. The skate deck there is pretty thin. In either case, I would use alternate skis, or possibly even a rock set. Hopefully the snow base will persist with warmer temperatures.

(Mark Stanfield)

Essex was groomed this morning. Classic tracks were not refreshed due to thin snow layer. In several areas the classic tracks were taken out. It is best to skate Essex until we get more snow. The 55th street prairie loop is closed due to poor snow coverage. The rest of the trail system is open with variable conditions from good to poor with dirt coming up in the wind exposed areas.

(Andy Wood)

Wind has taken a bit of a toll on the Essex trails. Skate deck varies from good to thin. Needs refreshing. The good news is the cold and wind have limited the walkers on the trails. Classic tracks are thin with some grass sticking through in spots where I had to jump out onto the skate lane. Southern prairie loop has a good skate deck with minor areas of dirt showing through which are easily avoidable. I would not recommend skiing on the 55th Street prairie loop. Use B or rock skis for either skate or classic.

(Andy Wood)

Have skied at Essex the last three mornings and I've been impressed with how nice they are for the amount of snowfall we've received. Classic tracks were set on some of the trails a couple days ago. Some places the tracks are decent and other places they are mostly grass/dirt. With the cold weather the base has firmed up nicely and even the trail sections on paved paths are pretty good, with the exception of the eastern edge of the woods loop as mentioned in the last post. Can squeeze through double poling on the inside though. Use rock skis but if you're reasonably careful you can avoid most of the rocks.

(Chris Ziegler)

Most of the trails at Essex have been packed with the Ginzu. Unfortunately on the prairie loops, the wind is creating high drifts in some places and then down to the grass in others. It's skiable but use rock skis. Trails in the woods are OK. On the east woods trail, the city plowed the walking trail just about destroying a section of the ski trail. We hope to get that taken care of early next week. Grooming plans: Once the high winds subside, we will attempt to set track.

(Andy Wood)

Essex was rolled this morning after a 3 inch snowfall last night. Obviously tracks not set. Trails are rough but skiable with rock skis only. It's not great but it's the best of the season so far!

(Andrew Wood)