All ski trails in Theodore Wirth Park,
and Brownie and Cedar Lakes will be closed Saturday and Sunday from 7am-3pm for Loppet Festival races.

(Robert Ibler, Loppet Foundation)

Wow. Man made snow trails were pristine. I had thrown on my old skins in anticipation of lots of debris. I think the groomers picked up each leaf by hand. The natural snow trails were, understandably, not quite as good but still very nice. Shallower tracks with some washouts and scattered debris but mainly embedded "helicopters" . Was happy I had my B skis for certain portions. Should be great for all the events this weekend.

(Kathy Bjornson)

The North loops (man made snow) were in great shape as usual with good classic tracks and a nice skate deck. Not very crowded today with the colder temps and a big wind, but still enjoyable. It's going to be great conditions for the Loppet!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

North Finger is now open, so I believe that all trails are now officially up and running. Very very hard conditions on both man-made and natural snow, but still able to get a good edge. I didn't find any ice during my ski.

(Tim Bontrager)

North Finger and Machinery Hill loops are open, along with the Bridge Trail - looks like everything is nearly ready for the races this weekend. The bridge by the Trailhead has some nice snow piles in place. Excellent grooming this morning with lots of kick on the skin skis!

Photos:

(Bill Oyler)

Wirth Lake was in the best shape of the year, with no ice. Parts were starting to get wind blown by 2pm, but great to ski the whole segment. JD Gardens was getting a little crusty and wind blown as well. Tornado Alley was in good shape; and the Skyline trail was similar to JD Gardens in that a few sections exposed to the wind were getting pretty hard/crusty, and then some places where the snow was building up a little bit All had been groomed, and was in pretty good condition given the wind. Classic tracks were similar to skate deck, all in all looked good from what I could see and several classic skiers were flying along.

(Carleton Johnson)

Firm, fast conditions. The only icy spot I discovered is at the very tail end of the 180 degree exit from the twin lake loop (right as you're rejoining the main trail). The inside corner has ice that is very difficult to see but is very slippery! It looked like it was regularly claiming some victims. Be careful!

(Tim Bontrager)

Firm and fast conditions. Found a little ice on the downhills but otherwise none. I jumped in the classic tracks a few times and they were nice and deep.

(Mark Bushinski)

Fast conditions with hard-packed corduroy but edging no problem on the snowmaking loops. Only icy spot I saw was on the sharp left turn on the upper part of the last Green Meadow downhill section, all other turns and curves were very negotiable. Snow guns were blasting away on the upper Judy loop and the Trailhead bridge and at the end of the southern spur trail.

(Dave Carlson)

Soft fresh snow on the golf course and the manmade was soft too. Interesting how different manmade snow vs natural is. My extra blue over a light layer blue klister base worked great manmade snow but stick on fresh snow south side. Nice day to ski.

Photos:

(Diane Pattridge)