It's nice to have the top loop at Battle Creek back online: some nice climbing is now possible. Today as temps hovered around freezing, and freezing rain came in, the trails became glazed and lightning fast, sometimes tricky to control.

(David Moore)

The Upper Tree Loops are now open to the Slipback. Grooming plans: We plan to finish snowmaking on the trails this evening and continue to push snow out on Cowabunga and Winthrop Ridge. Hopefully we will be done mid week. Looks like a good weekend to ski. Enjoy.

(Rob Adams)

As we looking forward to the week of December 16th, high school meets will kickoff at Battle Creek starting on Tuesday, December 17th. Here are the meets for upcoming week: 12/17/24: Holiday Relay Race - 2pm-5pm (trails closed during the timeframe); 12/18/24: Twin Cities Nordic - 3pm-5:30pm (trails open); 12/19/24: Metro East Conference - 3pm-5:30pm (trails open).

(Thony Thao)

We were able to get out and set classic tracks this morning. A light dusting of snow on top of the groomed trails so great conditions. If you ski everything that is open there is about 3K open. Grooming plans: We are continuing to make snow on the Upper Loops, Cowabunga and Winthrop Ridge. The cold weather before the weekend should help with snowmaking. I will send an update out Friday. Thanks for your patience and enjoy before it gets real cold.

(Rob Adams)

The Cat Track trail is now open to the Slipback intersection and the Slipback trail is open to the Prarie loop. That's the good news. The bad news is that due to a late night mechanical malfunction of the Pisten Bully there is NO CLASSIC TRACK ANYWHERE on the open trail segments. The skating lanes were all refreshed and are in excellent condition.

(John Fitzgerald)

Snow guns back to full output this morning. PB appeared to be pushing snow at the top of the turn into the woods.

(John Witzmann)

Fantastic conditions at Battle Creek this morning - nice and firm but not too icy for skating. Love the double classic tracks and fun hills. Great training for the Battle Creek 50k!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

So glad to have a place that makes snow for x-c skiing, and people that work to make the trails. I guess I'm one of the few old school Classic skier, as I didn't see anyone else on classic skis. Tracks were firm, smooth and clear. Really thankful to have a place to start training for the Birkie, until the snow starts falling.

(Shane Meisner)

The horseshoe trail is now open from the Prairie Pass to the Prairie loop via the cut across. Excellent conditions on the newly opened section and finally a bit of that B.C. climbing everyone loves. Have fun!

(John Fitzgerald)

My first time skiing Battle Creek, and it was great. The grooming was perfect, with a consistent and well-packed skate deck and classic tracks that deep and clean. The full loop is nearly a mile long and the conditions are just right. A varied crowd of skiers but plenty of room for everyone.

(Glenn Hansen)