I was surprised by how good it was this morning. Hit the trail at 5:45 am and it was beautifully groomed. Firm and very fast, and I didn't hit any ice. I may have lower standards, but I was completely comfortable using my best skis. Huge thanks to the trail crew for their magic.

Photos:

(John Greene)

Skate deck was much better than yesterday; the cold weather firmed it up and it was groomed this morning. Has a couple of icy spots, but nothing too bad, and those spots were fairly obvious. Still some spots with wood chips and sticks showing through, but pretty avoidable.

(Max MapelLentz)

Surprisingly good conditions this morning, less gray spots and debris compared to Monday, skated for an hour, expected icy and scary conditions but instead it was freshly groomed and delightful. Classic tracks looked shallow and rough in a few spots but ski season is definitely not over! Thank you Battle Creek staff!

(Tyler Lindquist)

These are the conditions that my indestructible fishscale touring skis live for! Super fun, sunny skiing on slightly slushy tracks. Skaters were doing OK too. The snow cover is still good in tree loops, though dirty of course. Might be icy ruts tomorrow, but Thursday afternoon and Friday should deliver more soft snow adventures before the bare patches take over.

(Deb Diggins)

Surprisingly good conditions with an early start, but definitely getting slow by 11:00. Skated on a 4.5K loop (man-made snow obviously), and the classic looked decent as well. Still some very nice skiing to be had; get it while you can.

(David Christopherson)

With the beautiful weather I had to get out and ski the trails. There are a handful of icy spots and as many spots open or opening up in the lower parts of the trails. The sun is really doing its job. The upper loops, Cowabunga and Winthrop Ridge still have a good amount of snow but slushy and slow. Grooming plans: We will be evaluating again tomorrow to see how long we can hang on. No grooming tonight with the temperatures being to warm. Hopefully we will get some of the snow they are talking about.

(Rob Adams)

Skied the tree loops and came down Cowabunga. A few avoidable bare patches. Cowabunga was ice free and the kids in my group made it down ok.

(Mark Bushinski)

Snow is slushy in some areas with occasional wet spots and a bit icy in other areas. Lots of leaves on the trails and some mud/small twig patches. Pretty windy especially in open areas. A couple small ski lesson groups but overall not bad. Still nice to be able to get out there and ski. (This trail is all man made snow). I skate skied but made note of the classic trails. Some spots the classic trail disappears in the snow but for the majority they seem to be good. Small loop around the pond is closed off but the rest of the trails are open.

(Emily Martis)

At 11:30 start, it was 33 degrees, sunny but windy and trail was in very good condition. I was concerned when I pulled in that the trail around the pond (and the Shoe and portions of the trail leading to it) were closed but Cat Track, Tree loops and Cowabunga were all open and in very good condition. Added plus was a very light crowd. Everybody must be at the Birkie.

Photos:

(Keith Carlson)

Same trail segments that have been open the last two weeks are still open. I appreciate the great grooming. A nice firm deck with the colder weather overnight.

(Ben Schmiege)