In spite of my best intentions, I missed the "sweet spot" of 11 a.m., by quite a bit. I thought I had blown my chance for excellent skiing, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that skiing on the manufactured snow was still very good at 4 p.m. with temps of 39F. Sure there was plenty of slush, but it didn't bog me down. Nor were there any of those dreaded spots where conditions transition from fast to very slow so abruptly that they throw me. And there were plenty of stretches where the snow was perfect. I did venture onto the Judy loop, twice, and found it good. The long straight downhill after the first climb of the Judy Loop was especially fun.

(Lois Braun)

The 8K loop starting at the Trailhead (man made loop plus Judy loop) we're in perfect shape this morning - no ice! Judy Loop in particular was the best it's been in years. Thanks for the great grooming!!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Late morning/early afternoon ended up perfect time to sky as the iced parts softened but the melting was minimal. Got softer in spots as afternoon went on but still great conditions except in just a couple spots that were easy to navigate. I expect perfect time tomorrow will be about 11 am.

(RT Rybak)

Went out around noon... mixed bag of hard-packed icy and warm slushy natural snow trails in JD Gardens and Tornado Alley but still able to mostly get edging. And a bunch of walkers and snowshoers on the trail are not helping, especially as it gets warmer. The snow-making loop was better but some uphills were getting a bit slushy as well. Skiing was fast and fun but sunny warm days are not going to be kind to the trails.

(Dave Carlson)

The made snow loop was fantastic today. The sun softened it up a touch by the afternoon, but things were pretty firm and not too icy. The uphills remained pretty firm- no real sugar to speak of. We did start venturing out onto Judy in the morning and it was pure ice and frozen tracks so we turned around. It may have softened up later in the sun. The turns on the made snow loop had a bit of snow building up and a little bit of a shaved deck starting, especially the North Finger turn. Overall, great out there.

(Dan Boody)

Snow was much better than I expected! Skate skied the snowmaking loop and the snow has held up nicely despite the warmth.

(Em White)

Fantastic conditions! Crisp tracks throughout the artificial snow loops, with nary a hint of ice. I skied them all on the Trailhead side of Wirth Parkway, plus the Judy loop, which was a bit icy but totally skiable with fish scales. (Though it was comforting to get back on the artificial snow of the North Finger!) Thanks groomers for working your magic after the thaw!

(Amy Myrbo)

Great ski from 1 - 3 pm. Soft but firm snow and tracks in great condition. Shady spots on some of the downhill curves icier, but easy to get around or avoid. Skied Wirth Beach to the Chalet, then up and over to the Judy Loop now that it is groomed. Excellent ski. Like spring in the Sierras...spring ski conditions. I used skin skis and put maxi glide over the tips and tales in case warm snow balled up, but that wasn't a problem. It temps are similar tomorrow, the afternoon should be a good time.

(Glenda Marsh)

Snowmaking ski trails will be closed to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday, 8am-4pm, for high school sectional meets. Natural snow trails will remain open.

(Robert Ibler, Loppet Foundation)

Post-Loppet, the natural trails north of Glenwood are in pristine shape. Hats off the groomers for an amazing course on race day and also the grooming afterwards. I skied JD Rivers, Wirth lake, Jar Hill, Basset Creek, Tornado Alley, Skyline, and Bridge and found wonderful conditions throughout.

(Sam Knuth)