I skied several laps on the Pond, Prairie, South Tree, and North Tree loops. I was hoping they would have made snow and re-groomed after the relays yesterday, but that did not appear to be the case. I found the trails to be well covered with a solid skate deck and what appeared to be good classic tracks. I found very little corduroy, the surface generally consisting of thin, loose snow over ice/hardpack. My 75-yeard old legs found climbing through the "sugar" to be challenging, and control on the downhill curves was on the far edge of manageable for me. I should point out that there were several "youngsters" (Millenials and younger) who went flying past me up and down the hills with little apparent trouble, making the point that trail condition evaluations are relative. However, I remained "vertical" throughout, qualifying my day as a nice ski.

(David Sonnenberg)

I previewed the Battle Creek 50k course today: a fine layout, with variety and challenge each double lap. There was some predictable semi-deep sugar on a few climbs, but the steep A2 climb was great. On the downside (literally) the Prairie, Horseshoe, and especially Cowabunga descents were sugar over chattering white ice. I would not take Cowabunga at anything like race speed.

(David Moore)

Skied the manmade at Battle Creek this afternoon. Trails were a little icy and pretty sugary with the temps cooling. We previewed the Hiihto relays course and then filled in the rest of the map. All of the manmade is open.

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(Adam Mahar)

Artificial snow trails are open (about a 2+ mile loop). Snow is definitely faster than yesterday! Some icy spots, but still decent.

(Josh Leonard)

A nice mixture of skiable and laughably deep and sugary (especially on steeper up and downhill sections), that kept a smile on our faces as we explored the lit trails across Battle Creek. Plenty of man-made snow throughout, and not too busy in the early evening hours. Best to know what to expect at these temps and after recent weather events, more effort is required to maintain a tempo than a firmer deck would provide. Many thanks to the groomers!

(Pieter DeHart)

The manmade snow has held up really well. It was a little slushy in places this evening, but very fast and fun. Skied the Battle Creek Fifty K course and scoped out the Hiihto course. Classic track was icy and fast, fishscales were kicking pretty well. All of the manmade is open.

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(Adam Mahar)

Good man made snow. Lots of trails open and plenty of hills to climb. Tracks set for classic and enjoyed 10 miles of skiing.

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(Phillip Wadsworth)

Man made area has held up great in the rain. Skate deck was full on sugar this morning, but still made for a decently fast ski. The sugary snow up the A hill was good Birkie prep. Classic tracks looked to be in great condition, kind of bummed I didn't do classic today.

(Josh Heurung)

"Mashed potatoes are better than no potatoes" says my husband who is a strong skier. But for me, someone who sucks at skiing but loves the outdoors, I thought it was a gorgeous ski even if I physically felt dead within 20 minutes. Given the latest rain I thought the trails were surprisingly good. Thanks groomers!

(Chelsea Dummer)

Skied the full snowmaking course and was very pleasantly surprised how well it stood up to the rain. Groomers have done an amazing job - way to go! Overall soft but with occasional icy areas.

Photos:

(Mark Virtue)