Trails are not groomed, though there is a firm base under new snow. Over the last few days we have gotten 12-15" of new snow. Soonest we can get out to pack and trackset is Sunday. This could be the weekend to get out on your touring skis or even snowshoes and slow down, break trail and have a sense of wilderness and quiet. Bring your dogs! (And clean up after them!).

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

I enjoyed 8 to 10 inches of new powdery snow in 20-degree temps while taking a long ski with good friends. Trails were not groomed and at times completely undetectable but the base was solid and the slow but beautiful trudge through the newly fallen snow was well worth it. We plan on grooming the trails on Tuesday.

(Nancy Schultz)

This weekend brought 6" or more of fluffy new snow. It has blanketed the tracks, though they are still discernible, and beautifully frosted the trees. Skiing is slow, quiet, soft. Some skiers have been out, so there are segments that are skier-tracked. Grooming plans: Trails will be packed and groomed before next weekend.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Last grooming was a week ago - and with very little snowfall since then, the trails won't be freshly groomed again till after the next snowfall. Over the last three days I have skied most of the trail system, and here is what I have found: Trail conditions are generally very good, in part because the temps have not gotten above freezing for more than a few hours a day, and in part because there has been low usage. The base is still almost 2' deep. There is very little debris on trails. The green trails (easier and flatter) are very good - well set, only occasionally icy. The blue (moderate) and black trails (difficult/hilly) are mostly also very good, however there are more frequent icy spots. Don't be shy about taking your skis off to walk down some of these icier hills! Also, tracks on the hills or bottom of curves are a little "messy" - from snowplowing, herringbone ascents, and skiing out of the tracks.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Skied portions of both the west and east trails - all in very good shape, well-groomed. In spite of temps in upper 30s, the tracks are mostly well-shaded, so they stayed cold and relatively hard. I think we will get through these warmer days without the trails icing up. As always... beautiful out there!

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

All trails groomed this afternoon. Tracks well-set in the 4-6" of new light dry snow since previous grooming last Friday. No litter or debris on trails.

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

Trails last groomed previous Friday. The 4-6" of snow we have had since then is light and dry, the snowed over tracks show through. Great skiing, good glide. Plans to groom on Friday.

Photos:

(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)

All the trails were groomed today and are the best they have been all year. The crisp sunny 10-degree day made for the perfect ski for all that were lucky enough to be on the trails today.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Today I enjoyed 2-inches of new powdery snow in zero-degree temps while taking a short ski to check out the conditions of the trails. They were not groomed and at times completely undetectable but the base was solid and the slow but beautiful trudge through the newly fallen snow was well worth it. We plan on grooming tomorrow the trails on Friday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)

Today I enjoyed 3 inches of new powdery snow while taking a short ski to check out the conditions of the trails. They were not groomed and at times completely undetectable but the base was solid and the slow but beautiful trudge through the newly fallen snow was well worth it. Saturday through Tuesday the trails were a pathetic rain-soaked mess, today they were beautiful once again. We plan on grooming the trails on Friday.

Photos:

(Nancy Schultz)