Snow guns still blowing snow ... trails appear closed!

(Ben Dummer)

As of 10 a.m., trails appear closed. Very thin base.

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(Christina Mantel)

Eight snow guns going full steam this morning. Colder temps finally coming!

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(Greg Hedin)

The weather has severely deteriorated the snow conditions. There are many bare spots and the trails with snow are in poor shape. There is very little continual skiable area. Grooming has been suspended and we will need continual cold weather to resume snowmaking operations.

(Rob Adams, Ramsey County Parks)

Large bare spots at Battle Creek. I spotted a couple of people skiing.

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(David Byrne, Minnesota Rovers Outdoors Club)

Loop has several sections that are entirely grass and impassable even on rock skis. Could ski out and back in the stadium but the snow is quite icy and rough.

(Simon Robinson)

The warm weather along with the forecasted rain for tonight and tomorrow has finally taken its toll on our trails. With the trail as it is, no further grooming will be possible. Our intent is to wait until a refreezes occurs and then reevaluate the conditions and formulate a plan for repairs and additional grooming. Although the trail is not officially closed, skiers should use caution to avoid marginal trail conditions. Not the Christmas news we were hoping to send but we'll do the best we can to get the trails back in shape as soon as possible.

(John Fitzgerald)

Arrived about 9:30 am to join quite a few skiers out for one last ski before the rain. Pond Loop and near the start line was dirty, bare spots and some hard icy patches -- "variable" for sure. The big climb was actually in good shape but the problem was large icy or wet patches on the downhills. Some skiers were navigating the obstacles but I called it after two loops. Hopefully back at it later in the week.

(Craig Woodley)

When I arrived at 12:40 pm, conditions were predictably wet with a mist that let up and then briefly drizzled in the 40 minutes I was there. Lots of churned-up, moderately wet sugar even on the initial flats. However, the stadium remained pretty well packed and fast. There is no ground showing through although it looks like its getting close in a number of places. The newly opened loop continuing up the hill from the top of the "Shoe" added a little extra mileage and was in good shape. It was 40 degrees. Thanks Ramsey County and groomers for providing all this skiable terrain during the continuing snow drought.

(Keith Carlson)

Got to BC around 6:30 am for a skate workout. Ramsey County groomed and set tracks overnight but given the above freezing temps, the skate deck was soft. The lower section of the A climb is now open and reconnects with the top of the Prairie Loop. The Pisten bully was spreading snow at the bottom of the Catwalk. The uphill sections were breaking down quite a bit by the time I was done at 8:45 and snow was getting slower.

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(Christian Franken)