Conditions: The 1.5K loop is doing very well. The grooming was very good today, and there were no sugary uphills and no washed out downhills. Groomers appeared to be busy working on the other (closed) portion of the man-made loop.
There were many people out enjoying Wirth today, despite the chilly weather. Like the old saying goes, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!" I was toasty today, especially after a few of the hills.

(Bill Oyler)

Conditions: The 1.5 km snowmaking loop is excellent.
Wirth has made a lot of new snow. They have not opened any additional trail, but what they do have now has a very deep base. You can use race skis. Track was shallow but skate deck good. I did not try the natural snow course.

(Zach Handler)

Conditions: Thin but skiable with caution.
I skied a section of the front 9 and then into South Wirth mid-afternoon. There were many skiers out today, and the trail has been heavily used in spite of the low coverage in many areas. I found hard pack nearly everywhere with several sections of rock, wood chip or pavement beginning to show through. You can navigate much of this but have to hoof it underneath Hwy 55 as well as the bridge section to the south of Hwy 55 where some recent forestry work has left a lot of debris. South Wirth was okay in some places but quite rutted in others with a fair amount of debris. This section has seen a lot of foot traffic as well. It is skiable, but I recommend caution until a little more coverage smooths things out and covers some of the debris poking through. Also, note that you'll need to jump the curb returning by the Eloise Butler section where the trail meets the road. The open areas seems to have the best and most consistent coverage at this time.

Photos:

(Margaret Adelsman)

Conditions: Supposedly open and in good condition.
After the last grim trail report I called Theodore Wirth this morning and was told the groomer was out and the man-made loop is open as well as the back 40. The person I spoke with said rock skis were not needed.

(Bonnie Weiskopf)

Conditions: Awful! Icy and not enough snow!
Met our LNR training group for a ski this morning and found the man made loop closed. We attempted to ski the Back 40 but the conditions were very marginal. Hard packed, icy with a lot of grass, sticks/branches, dirt, debris, etc. showing through. Since I had good skis on and didn't want to gouge them I chose to leave and go to Hyland. Very disappointed in Wirth snowmaking! If you venture onto natural snow bring your rock skis!

(Kathleen Miller)

Conditions: In need of some more snow.
Skied the front 9 a few times this afternoon. Base hard packed, but very icy: made it hard to even grab an edge in some places. Trail also very rutted and lumpy. Hyland and Elm Creek are probably better bets until we get some more snow.

(Mitchell Campbell)

Back 40 is open. Lower stadium is open. Front 9 is open. Snowmaking loop is currently closed. Possibility of the snowmaking loop 1.5k open tomorrow but remains to be seen. Par 3 lot is open. Par 3 building should be open for rentals most of the day tomorrow. Skating all the way to 394 is good according but thin (no snow under Hwy 55 bridge).

(Mike Erickson)

Conditions: Rolled from Skyline Trail (Front-9) to 394.
Conditions varied from hardpack on the Skyline Trail (lots of traffic) to bare under the 55 bridge, to really nice in many spots. Grass and sticks showing, but did not hit a rock or dirt the whole time. Very enjoyable ski with good adherance between the snow and the ground. Thanks to good preparation in the fall, with a few more inches trails will be in very nice shape.

(John Munger, Loppet Foundation)

Conditions: Great compared to Christmas.
Skied the Loppet course from the Front 9 to 394 on waxless rock skis. Everything was skiable except under the 55 bridge and anywhere over water (not frozen). The downhills were a blast but caution is advised because there's no base. There was grass, dirt, and pavement visible in many places along the way. The Front 9 to Wirth lake were rolled. Everything on the Chalet side of the street was closed due to snowmaking.

(Dan Zenk)

Conditions: Rolled, bumpy,grass and dirt patches.
Okay for a natural snow ski on rock skis. Started at JD Gardens, no snow under 55 bridge, double pole tornado alley - it's the worst stretch. Front 9 is okay and your best bet.

(Steve Casey)