Most of the East Side is groomed, and groomed trails have very good to excellent skating. There's fair to good striding on the 11 km of classic track set February 16th on the East Side Core Loop. Classic skiers take note: there's plenty of enjoyable striding on the East Side side trails even though the groomers may not have placed classic track there as of yet.

The base is 1-3 inches thick, with only infrequent dirty spots. Bring your good skis, there's creamy packed powder where we've freshly groomed; somewhat soft sugar snow consistency on trails groomed last Sunday; ungroomed trails (West Side interior trails) have 4+ inches of powder snow for backcountry skiing.

One important suggestion: if skiing the East Side Core Loop, consider skiing in a counterclockwise direction (follow the numbered sequence 1-2-3-4-5 etc). By skiing that direction, you'll avoid dealing with potential dirt spots on a challenging downhill between intersections #5-6-7.

On the West Side, the county mowed the trails quite wide this summer. We are going to attempt to leave some powder along the edge of the trail for back-country skiers and snowshoers. Where it is narrow, snowshoers are reminded to attempt to stay near the edge or the skate deck.

Snowshoe Update: the snow shoe trails (East Side) are in great shape and mostly packed. Ridges and Hillside are the two trails that start near the warming house and are easiest. Rope-A-Dope and Highland Loops have greater elevation challenges, and are recommended for more experienced snowshoers. See the purple snow shoe routes on the East Side maps.

February 16: dusting

February 14/15 (Overnight): 6" fluffy dry powder

Grooming Report / Plans:

February 20: groomed the skate deck on most of the East Side Core Loop, plus quite a few of the side trails on the East Side.

February 15/16: Groomed the new 6" of powder snow. On the EastSide, groomers concentrated on the Core Loop, Far East trail, and a few side trails. This included classic track on the Core Loop. On the WestSide, Excelsior Road was groomed for skating.