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.

Photos:

(Christian Franken)

We just opened another section of trail. The A climb connects back to just south of the stadium giving skiers another .3K and some more hills to climb.

(Rob Adams, Ramsey County Parks)

Reminder: Twin Cities Nordic High School meet is scheduled for Thursday, December 21st, from 3 pm to 5 pm. We anticipate approximately 250 skiers for this event. While the trails remain open to the public, we highly recommend avoiding the area during this time due to the expected high volume of skiers. If you're planning to hit the trails this afternoon or evening, we suggest coming after 6 pm to avoid potential traffic and congestion. Thank you for your cooperation, and we appreciate your understanding.

(Thony Thao, Ramsey County Parks)

Got on the trails just after 6 am. Tracks were pretty soft. Need those skaters to make sure to avoid clipping the tracks. Tons of sugar snow on the skate uphills and where the trails crossed. Double tracks around most of the pond, single track for the rest of the loop. Groomer was doing some work, but not able to do much to help with the layer of powder. Solid conditions considering the weather.

(Steve Hennessy)

Much improved conditions at Battle Creek today with a firm skate deck. The course is somewhat choppy, with two U-turns and a clover-leaflet, but exhilarating, with bone-chilling descents and heart-warming climbs. Excellent grooming; should be fun for the relays today.

(John Kendrick)

Trail continues to weather the warm weather well. When I skied beween 4 and 4:40 pm, it was 37 degrees. Lots of sugar churned up on the hills by lots of skiers. Moved ok on the flats; continued to struggle on the uphills with all the sugar particularly coming up from the bottom of the "Shoe". Guess I'll keep on training to see if I can build up some stamina.

(Keith Carlson)

Battle Creek continues with excellent conditions on about 2.4k, with a big Pisten Bully visibly working with huge snow piles nearby to open up some more. When I arrived at 1:30 pm, I had the place nearly to myself. But at 4:30? A high school and middle school extravaganza: Stillwater, Mounds Park, Forest Lake, Tartan, SPA, Como Park, Central, Northfield ... and certainly some other schools. Kids of every size and ability, and Birkie-scale crowds: wonderful!

(David Moore)

This week, two high school meets are scheduled to take place at Battle Creek West. Please be aware of the potential trail congestion during these events. While the trails will remain open to the public, please exercise caution and be aware of a high volume of skiers. Scheduled High School Meets -- Wednesday, December 20th: Irondale (SEC) from 2 pm to 5 pm; Thursday, December 21st: Twin Cities Nordic from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we accommodate these events. Thank you for respecting the shared use of the trails.

(Thony Thao)

Started at 6:30 am. Trails in great condition, one small dirty spot next to the classic tracks right on top of the bump by the trail access at the east side of the parking lot. Since I last skied on Friday, the Horseshoe Loop downhill has been added, it ties in nicely to the downhill turn of the Prairie Loop. Snow guns were blazing along the Catwalk. Overall great conditions considering the warm and rainy weather we had over the weekend.

Photos:

(Christian Franken)