We held our CXC races over the weekend, and the lower biathlon trails remain groomed with a pair of best line tracks set for nice classic XC skiing. The far upper biathlon trails above the 2.5 k loop are untracked. Bittersweet loop on the Grant-in-Aid trails has a track set. The rest is packed and good for skating. Grooming plans: Due to weather forecasts, we plan to stay off the trails with any grooming equipment until at least Monday. During above freezing weather, we expect the base to become soft enough that it will be damaged by skiing. We will update as the forecast evolves. Meanwhile, come out and enjoy the nice conditions!

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Trails are generally in great condition after this weekend's CXC races. Classic tracks firm and deep especially in the man-made snow portion of trail. But the whole system is skiable, skate or classic.

(Jonathan Arntson)

Packed all trails and set a track on lower biathlon trails, service road, and upper (Bittersweet) loop. 2" fresh snow and about 8" on the ground now. Conditions are pretty good! Scheduling: CXC races take place this weekend on the biathlon trails, which will be closed for the races, opening back up late afternoon both Saturday and Sunday. Grant-in-Aid trails will be open.

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Snowmaking and Pistenbully grooming has been completed on 1.9 km of trail, and the rest of biathlon trails and at least the upper portion of the Grant-In-Aid has been packed by snowmobile. No tracks set yet — would love to have more snow before attempting that. No tracks set yet on snowmaking loops because there is a biathlon event on Sunday Dec 15th. There's a high school ski meet on Thursday. Dec 19th, and next weekend Dec 21-22, we host CXC races, so trails will be closed for these events but opening later in the afternoon after biathlon. Pay by cash or Venmo is appreciated (see info in front of our HQ building) to help pay for snowmaking and grooming expenses (which are most substantial for snowmaking).

(Bob Conzemius)

Upper GIA trails have been flat packed and are slick fast. No tracks. A skate skier went by and seemed to be enjoying the conditions.
I used G2 skis and still had to herringbone up even the gentle up hills. Spent a lot of time with two little skiers who spent more time horizontal on the ground than vertical on skis. Tough conditions for beginners.

(Catherine McLynn)

1.1k loop of machine made snow groomed and open as of Saturday morning. No tracks set. Conditions not yet ideal as will require further grooming and the warmup isn't helpful. But certainly skiable.
Event: Biathlon race on Sunday morning. Course will be closed from 10 to approximately noon.

(Jonathan Arntson)

We have made some snow and have a 0.6 km segment of trail pushed out and tilled that is skate-able. Grooming plans: We have about 200 meters of trail left to cover to connect it with the remaining sections of a 1.1 km loop. After that, we intend to add another 0.5 km. As far as natural snow goes, we have packed most of the rest of our trails. We recommend rock skis for those because the natural snow is still only about 4" or 5" deep.

(Bob Conzemius)

Snow guns are blasting in the stadium and lower loops. Upper trails have 2 inches of fresh snow but not enough to ski due to gravel underneath in some places.

Photos:

(Catherine McLynn)