At my 10:00 am start, I was baffled why it was so empty until I remembered later in the day that a lot of people would have left for the Birkie. It was around 34 degrees with a stiff NNW wind, overcast and the snowmaking loop was in fair to very good condition. The fair parts were the first left-hand outbound turn of Frog Town where snert and wood chips had bled-thru (similar snert bleed-thru just before the turn to the Boulder climb) and ice across a large portion of the width of the trail on the last Willow climb and the Willow inbound downhill. The very good part was it was still fast. I came within a.1 mph my fastest lap of the year. Note they were putting up tents and signage for the shuttle for tomorrow's Winterfest as I left for those unaware of the event and the likely crowd.

(Keith Carlson)

At my 10:20 am start, it was 44 degrees according to trailhead thermometer, sunny and the trail was in good condition. The more sun-exposed portions of the trail was wet corn. Less sun-exposed or shaded portions of the trail was drier corn or sugar. The corn only got annoyingly deep on the top half of the first Scenic inbound climb. By staying to the middle, the Boulder downhill was no problem. It was a really light crowd by my 10:20 start.

(Keith Carlson)

Still unbelievable conditions on entire manufactured snow areas. Sub freezing nights and grooming lead to ideal softening and fast early and mid-morning experiences. Huge gratitude to the groomers. You all delivered big time this entire season! Pic shows am deer tracks on corduroy.

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(Jamie Peters)

At my 9:00 start, it was the high 20's, sunny and the trail was in very good condition. Only thing keeping me from rating it excellent was the frequency of courser chunks of snow mixed in with the predominantly shallow, fine sugar. It was still fast and, by skiing more to the middle, I avoided the rut at the bottom of the Boulder downhill. I attained my recurring seasonal goal of an 8 mph lap. Yeh! Didn't know if I could do it at 71 and with non-fluorocarbon wax. Thanks Three Rivers and groomers for maintaining such a great option during this nearly snowless winter.

(Keith Carlson)

At my 10:10 am start, it was 36 degrees, sunny and the snowmaking loop was in excellent condition. Just a little bit of fine sugar on top of a firm base that made for fastest pace of the season for me. Excellent job groomers.

(Keith Carlson)

The groomers did a great job - tracks were deep and well formed. Also slushy in places, since it was 45 degrees. It was great spring skiing on the entire loop.

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(Laurie Ford)

Excellent conditions for skate skiing on the snowmaking trails this morning 9:30-10:30. Firm deck. Perfect grooming. Tracks looked great for classic skiing too.

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(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

At 11:00am the snow making loop was in excellent condition. MPR said it was 32 degrees just before my start. Trail had a firm surface with a minimal amount of fine sugar on top. It was fast. Boulder downhill was no problem and the Boulder climb was the easiest it's been all season for me due to the lack of sugar accumulation. With new, lighter skis that a shop reprepped for me after a really disappointing first time out, I am pretty confident I hit my recurring goal for each season of an 8 mph pace. Unfortunately I forgot to put my mileage tracker on to confirm it.

(Keith Carlson)

Best conditions of the year. That snow we received last week pumped some life into the skate deck and it just doesn't get much better. The uphills were pristine with zero sugar and there was essentially no ice at all on the 5K manmade loop. All praise to the fantastic groomers and staff at Hyland.

(Matt Frantzen)

Just skied the snowmaking trails. Excellent condition for skating. Classic tracks looked excellent, too.

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(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)