Skied everything! Southern natural snow trails were good, not great: some leaf litter and the skate deck was fairly uneven in places. Still complete coverage. Northern natural snow trails were lovely! The one spot to watch by the pond but otherwise A+. Manmade loop was, as usual, very good, even after a whole day of high school racing. Lovely sunset today too!

Photos:

(Mitchell Campbell)

With the main loop partly blocked off for the races, I went on the Lake and Hill natural snow trails. There were shallow machined tracks on the left and shallow user-made tracks on the right. Tried both, then settled into the right side, mostly because they were more consistent. Conditions were good, considering how little fresh snow we've had recently. Hill trail has a big thin spot with exposed roots on the last uphill into the poplar grove, but you can get around it. The left side tracks peter out after the big hill until you get back to the Lake trail junction. The right side tracks are fine for that section. I was on good skis, but very fussy people might prefer B.

Photos:

(Laurie Ford)

All 15k of Trails: Packed, Tracked and in Good Conditions. HS Races: Mon. Jan. 31, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Tues. Feb.1, 9:30 AM - 5PM; Wed. Feb. 2, 9:30 AM - 5 PM; Thurs. Feb. 3, 10:30 AM - 5PM.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

All trails were in very good to excellent condition for skate skiing, including the natural snow trails. I skied the Lake, Hill, and North Trails, and only saw one small bare spot on a south-facing hill on the Hill Trail, easily avoided. Very small icy area on the north end of the lake trail. Very little leaf/stick/bark debris. Snowmaking trails were all excellent as usual. Classic tracks looked a little shallow on some of the natural snow trails.

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Congrats to all of the Rennet Racers. Full Race Course was able to be used for the first time. Manufactured Snow Trails are Packed, Tracked and in Good Conditions. Natural Snow Trails are packed and in Good Conditions; tracking overnight on Sunday.  Next Weeks HS Races: Mon. Jan. 31, 9AM-4:30 PM; Tues. Feb.1, 10AM - 5PM; Wed. Feb. 2, 10AM-4PM; Thurs. Feb. 3, 10AM-4 PM. 

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

All Trails will be closed TODAY, Jan. 29 from 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM, for the Rennet Races.  Next Weeks HS Races: Mon. Jan. 31, 9AM-4:30 PM; Tues. Feb.1, 10AM - 5PM; Wed. Feb. 2, 10AM-4PM; Thurs. Feb. 3, 10AM-4 PM.  Visitor Center Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM.; Weekdays, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Weekends.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Trail conditions were great today. I skated skied from the visitor center through star loop, willow creek and frog town multiple times. It started snowing while I was out there with big smog flakes but the skiing was still great.

(Caleb Anderson)

Amazing conditions for skating on the natural snow trails at Hyland! I checked out the entire course and found some of the best conditions we've ever seen on the natural snow trails, including Lake, Hill, North, and Nature Center loops. No classic tracks on the natural snow trails, due to race prep, so bring your skate skis. I used my best skis without issue. There is just one usual uphill at the end of the Hill trail with a rock/debris in the middle, but easily avoidable. I think that particular hill will actually be downhill for Saturday's race (counter-clockwise). Should be a great race on Saturday.

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

I intended to stride on natural snow trails today to keep out of wind, but they weren't tracked. We don't often get enough snow to classic on the natural trails and to not track when we have the snow seems like a wasted opportunity. Man made tracks were excellent. [ As stated in Jan 24th report, Three Rivers is waiting to track the natural trails for possible use in the Rennet races this weekend -- Ed. ]

(Tony Pellegrini)

Skated the natural trails, along with parts of the manmade loops as necessary. The natural snow trails were in great shape, very silky smooth snow, better condition than the manmade snow in my opinion. Plenty of coverage, and nicely packed. Really fantastic.

(Kristian Markon)