Might seem like "baby steps" but we're taking them as we can. The Prairie Bypass segment is now open to skiers. Please respect the orange cones at the Prairie Loop exit and Horseshoe entrance intersections -- Although they appear to be groomed, those two segments remain closed. Grooming plans: If all goes according to plan, the Prairie Loop should be open tomorrow morning, and a significant portion of the Horseshoe by the end of the day tomorrow.

(John Fitzgerald)

Back to the 0.6k pond loop at Battle Creek, but we have to be grateful for that. Good conditions, not too much sugar, and at least four snowguns blazing in the beyond. Lots of middle and high school teams arrived as I was wrapping up. Where else can you see 200 youngsters outdoors, not one of whom is on their phone? Wonderful!

(David Moore)

Battle Creek was still only the Pond Loop this morning. The western portion of the stadium was leveled off but was not groomed yet for skiing. Even with the new snow made, the base is less than what was present prior to the Christmas Melt Down, but glad to have some trail open again. Because of the warmer overnight temperatures, no new snow was made overnight. Hopefully with colder weather there will be a window to make additional snow, and open more trail by the weekend.

(Bruce Fiedler)

High school practice time this week will resume as scheduled, from 3-6pm. Please note that only the pond loop is open. Hopefully, we can get more trails open soon. Thanks!

(Thony Thao, Ramsey County Parks)

Pond Loop is open. Classic tracks were in good condition with only a couple of spots not fully formed. More classic skiers than skaters out this morning. Skate deck looked firm. Thank you groomers for getting the trails back open!

(Craig Woodley)

Finally after a good 24hrs for making snow and a long day of pushing it around and grooming it we have our .6 km pond loop open again. The western half of the stadium was still a work in progress at 9:00 pm so that may not be skiable tomorrow. But the skate deck is full width and there are a pair of full depth classic tracks. The snow guns are still running and we will be continuing to try to get more trail open as quickly as possible. Thanks for your continued patience!

(John Fitzgerald)

Prep/grooming commenced this morning but will take awhile. Lots of new artificial snow to push around before grooming. Workers are hopeful to have the pond loop going tonight, but it may not open until tomorrow. Loads of new snow was blown since yesterday and the pack looks as thick as before the big melt.

Photos:

(Jeremy Sartain)

Still blowing snow at 9am. Does not appear trails are open. Thanks to all the hard work the trail making crew is doing!

Photos:

(Ben Dummer)

Drove by BC at 8am to see if grooming had begun...not yet, piles of snow waiting to be pushed.

(John Witzmann)

As of 7:30 a.m., snow guns still blowing. Looks close to being ready!

Photos:

(Christina Mantel)