Big storm dropped over 18 inches of heavy wet snow. Lots of overhanging branches and trees that need to be relieved of snow weight. Stadium and all lower biathlon loops have been flat packed with Pisten Bulley and up Service Road. Grant in Aid trails are not yet done. Granby/The Wall is not done.
Good skiing but deck likely to be soft. No tracks set yet. Grooming plans: More grooming to be done Friday evening.

(Catherine McLynn)

15" new snow. I'm sure everyone is anxious to ski in this wonderful new snow! With this much snow at once, it will take a day or two (or three) to get things groomed up and in good shape for everyone, so please be patient with the grooming. If you feel like it, go ahead and ski your own tracks in. We'll try to start on packing tonight.

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Trails were in better shape than I expected. Biathlon trails have 1.6 km machine-made snow and are Pistenbully-groomed with a track set. The rest of the 8 km trails were rolled/packed with about a 3" base and no track. Skated okay. Not much in the way of stuff to avoid, but I would not use my best skis on that. If you stay on machine-made snow, you can use your best skis.

Photos:

(Bob Conzemius)

Great day to ski! Thanks groomers! About half of the biathlon side is open and is good for good skis due to snowmaking. The other half of biathlon trails are not groomed yet. Grant-in-aid side is all open. It has been rolled and is suitable for rock to B skis.
There is a trail fee, please contribute.

Photos:

(Philip Imholte)

Biathlon loop is open with artificial snow. Good, stiff flex skis can be used. The upper grant-in-aid trails have thin natural snow and can be rock skied with discretion.

Photos:

(Jeff Pesta)

Mt Itasca hosted a MN Biathlon race today. 1K moderate terrain loop on mostly machine-made snow. Very nice conditions and getting better every day. Grooming plans: We plan open another .5K of tough terrain early this week. We are open for skiing and racing.

(Carl Nordgren)

Snow guns roaring in addition to natural snow. Thin base packed a few days ago with another inch on top for great glide. Uneven surface but soft and forgiving snow. Skiers made tracks all the way up to top. More snowmaking and packing going on. Just fine for early season.

(Catherine McLynn)