The Mt. Itasca trails were groomed nicely for Junior Nationals Nordic Combine Championships. Hard packed for skate ski relay loop next to the biathlon range!

(Amy Xu)

Wonderful conditions at Mt Itasca today! I started at the biathlon building, skied past the chalet, to the end of the tubing run, and climbed up Main Street. I did a loop on Bittersweet and dropped down Widow's run back to Main Street. Then, I came down the boathlon trails and skied a couple loops around the lower biathlon trails. Conditions were great the whole way!

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

8" light fluffy snow today. Most trails are groomed for skate and many have classic tracks set. Jr National Nordic Combined racing this week. We did not set classic tracks on most of the race course. Superb conditions.

(Carl Nordgren)

I groomed a single pass on most trails except lower Main Street, Exit Ramp, and Otter Slide. Left some of the 1" fresh snow on the left if you prefer skiing on fresh snow. Otherwise, the base is very firm after nearly an inch of rain soaked into the base and froze. Tiller on the Pistenbully would not go very deep, and the tracks are not the deepest, but they are better than the drifted in tracks that were there before I groomed.

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

An inch of fresh snow over frozen hard packed trails made for good skating with a little extra effort. Classic tracks still intact after the rain last night. Enjoy until the next meltdown!

(Catherine McLynn)

Skating fast on icy packed lower sections of trail. Upper trails not as heavily used so skiff of snow made for nice bite and safe descent. Grooming plans: Skate lane is being tilled and groomed tonight throughout the system. Hoping for a little snow to cover leaves and twigs in tracks.

(Catherine McLynn)

Groomed and set tracks on all upper and lower trails. Temp is a balmy zero.

(Catherine McLynn)

JNQ races take place this weekend. Freestyle (skate) race is Saturday, so most trails except the lower Grant-In-Aid trails were groomed for skating (not tracked). Sunday is the classic race, so tracks will be everywhere. Races are morning into early afternoon, and when races are going on, all affected trails will be closed to non-racers. Otherwise, come out and ski! The trails will be impeccably groomed!

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Grooming last night made for perfect skating this morning on Main Street, Bittersweet, Black Widow and Exit Ramp Grant In Aid Trails.
Everything else groomed except Otter Slide and Backtrack and a few cut across shortcuts. Track set throughout.

(Catherine McLynn)

Some grooming completed after this morning's snow. Skate deck very soft and slow. Needs another groom plus some colder temps to firm things up. Grant in aid trails not groomed since new snowfall.

(Mark Zimmer)