cross country skiing
A cold month of February is forgotten, pushed aside by an early March warm-up. However the great cross country skiing conditions the past couple months are well etched in skiers' memories. The Blue Hills microclimate was fortunate to receive adequate snowfall while nearby areas were snow starved. Temps skyrocketed beginning March 8, we looked at the weather forecast and then groomed one last time on March 11. Grooming equipment went to summer storage on March 13, and our skis did likewise. Here’s a bit of a recap:
- Fundraising in April 2014 allowed the purchase of a John Deere Gator with Camoplast tracks for use pulling our mowing and grooming implements. This past winter, groomers thoroughly enjoyed the Gator's ability to navigate the various challenges offered by the trail terrain and weather. And no one complained about operating in a heated cab.
- With an early heavy snowstorm followed by a cold month of November, we started grooming earlier than ever on November 11th, & skied in the Hills fairly regularly since then (120 consecutive days with groomed trails available). The summer and autumn of 2014 were very wet, many of the trails couldn't be groomed in November and December due to underlying unfrozen ground and/or eroded sections - but we did have 14 km of nicely groomed trails for mid-winter skiing in mid-November!
- We groomed a total of 58 times (probably a record for us).
- We survived a prolonged spell of warm, damp weather in mid December that melted much of the accumulated base. When wintry weather suddenly returned in late December, our groomers eagerly put our new John Deere Gator through its tracks and we were skiing on very good conditions by the New Year Holiday.
- After January 1, we received only 14 additional inches of snow prior to the season ending warm-up that began March 8. The snowfalls came in small amounts, just often enough to freshen the trails and help level the base. Despite a fairly dry winter, we had just enough base to maintain great conditions while pleasing the many visitors from snow starved areas to the northwest, west and south.
- The limited snowfall actually worked to the advantage of skate skiers. The skate lane was solid and fast most of the winter.
- February was persistently cold and both classic and skate skiing were consistently good.
- This year's "Blue Hills Trail Fun Day" was perfectly timed: a potluck moonlight ski event on Friday March 6 was very well attended. The previous day saw temps of -25 degrees F that morning; the evening of the moonlight ski we enjoyed temps in the 20s, a roaring campfire, great food, camaraderie, and perfect skiing conditions under the stars and a full moon.
- Despite the frequent grooming, we stayed well within budget, and had fun sharing the Blue Hills Trail with a record number of visitors. Thanks to everybody that helps spread the word regarding the beauty of this trail system.
A huge 'shout out' to our groomers. Once again, equipment break downs and mechanical problems were handled efficiently and never compromised the grooming. Thank you to our primary grooming team of Steve Gest, Jesse Wimer, & Adam Brockman for giving us great memories this winter of 2014-15! A sincere thank you to our diverse group of members, volunteers and supporters - your help this past year has been extremely rewarding.
It's cold outside, there's lots of snow on the ground, now's a good time to get psyched for skiing. Check out the following slide show video showing ten years of fun on the Blue Hills Trail. Get your skis waxed, come ski the Hills!
Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, adjust your volume control, then sit back and follow the fun. See anyone you know?
News Flash! Knowing he had a lot of work ahead of him, the infamous Blue Hills Bill set his anti-hibernation alarm for an early awakening today. Eager to get a start on things, he munched a quick breakfast, and started digging. With near-record deep snows, he dug & dug & dug... and dug & dug & dug... and just in the nick of time, he crawled out of his burrow at 7:25 this morning and delivered his annual prognostication to the awaiting crowd in downtown Bruce, WI. Read on...
Ice in early December,
Brought branches and trees crashing down;
Then snows like none could remember,
Polar winds making hardy folks frown.
Said Bill, "Time's a wastin' - Go play!
"Record snowfall's your ticket to fun;
Ski the Hills now, day after day,
No shadow! when snowbanks block sun!
Comments from the crowd
- 2/2: This winter won't last forever, bundle up the kids, we're heading to the Blue Hills Trail right away! --Bruce, WI
- 2/2: Bill says Spring's coming early! So what if it's cold now, this makes for easy waxing, mint conditions, great classic skiing. Time to get our kicks! --Rice Lake, WI
- 2/2: Thanks for the advice, Bill. So much snow, so little time... --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/2: Better ship some of this extra snow to our friends in Folsom, CA. --Sprinter Gypsy Camp, TX
A generous snowfall one week ago (February 22nd) initially created 'too soft' conditions despite abundant grooming. Several days later, sunshine and freeze thaw cycles created an icy glaze, 'too hard'. With the immaculate grooming performed yesterday (Feb. 28), the trails were 'just right'. Goldilocks is pleased. Should be a great weekend in the Hills, give those skis another go-around!
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 2/18: Loved it! --Cadott, WI
- 2/18: Enjoyed snowshoe trail. --Eau Claire, WI
- 2/18: Me & my honey. --Rio de Janero, Brazil
- 2/18: Nice day, good snow. --Hudson, FL
- 2/18: Loved the snowshoe trail! Beautiful 38 degree day! Thank you for the warm welcome. --Hudson, WI
- 2/20: Best conditions I've skied this winter. Right up there with the Methow Valley in Washington State. --Sumner, WA
- 2/21: Super grooming! --Madison, WI
- 2/23: Avoiding Birkie crowd in Hayward. It's just us & the groomer! --Minneapolis, MN
- 2/23: Silence of the North - it's deafening! --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: Ahhhh! The Blue Hills Trail - where the grooming is swoon worthy. Where every skier can imagine they've won the Birkie! Thanks to the groomers. --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: I'm so blessed! Wonderful trails - This IS the Life :-) 3 hours of solitude & beauty. --Chetek, WI
- 2/23: We are so Lucky to have such Great trails! Thanks to ALL involved! --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/23: The trails are great! Thanks so much for all your hard work! --Madison, WI
- 2/25: Skate deck firming up nicely. My last Midwest ski for year :-( Back to the Cascade concrete. Hope the snow here holds out thru March. --Sumner, WA
- 2/26: "Spring skiing" is here! Cool nights, mild days, soft breezes, & fresh corduroy in the Hills - thanks again groomers!!!--Ladysmith, WI
- 2/26: Great skiing today! It's good to get back here! --Barron, WI
- 2/26: Excellent classic tracks! The conditions don't get any better. --Exeland, WI
- 2/26: The speed on the skate deck sped up nicely after the sun went down. Nice post Birkie ski. --Bruce, WI
- 2/28: Waiting all year for a ski like today's! Totally under control when screaming fast coming around the curve at the bottom of Rut Road. Yeeee Hawww! --Ladysmith, WI
True wintry conditions were enjoyed by a surprising number of skiers Monday morning (March 5th) - & again Tuesday morning. Obviously these skiers have been watching their calendar and the weather reports. Cross country skiing of this quality has been sorely lacking this winter. If you missed out, take a look at a video submitted by a Tuesday morning skier (turn the volume way down if you find southerly breezes disturbing).
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 3/4: Mankind speaks & I long for the whispering silence of the forest; the forest speaks & I forget the clamoring voices of mankind. --author's location unknown
- 3/4: XC skiing for us is one of the most glorious parts of living in northern Wisconsin. Thanks so much to the Blue Hills Bunch for saving winter 2011-12. --author's location unknown
- 3/4: The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe - Through the Wardrobe into the Winter Magic of the Blue Hills beautifully groomed. --author's location unknown
- 3/5: Monday morning & there were at least 5 cars in the parking lot when we arrived! The conditions were fabulous!! Thank you groomers! --Ladysmith, WI
- 3/5: It was all worth the long wait this snowless winter just to ski on the trail today! Thanks to the groomers & Mother Nature. --Eau Claire & Ladysmith, WI
Freeze-thaw cycles have created a crusty hardpack base. With temps starting at 14° F, grooming was a challenge early this morning - tough to penetrate that frozen surface. Almost the entire Eastside skate lane yielded to the knives on the grooming implement, producing enough of a loose surface for skate skiers to ski with abandon. Rocket fast skating lasted throughout the morning, slightly sticky conditions didn't show until about noon.
Looking at the parking lot by the warming house, this was the place to be! Nice to know that all those skiers don't find themselves crowded while exploring this lovely trail system - they just seem to disappear among the many different loops. If we groom it, will they come? More grooming planned for tomorrow morning!
Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house
- 1/29: Beautiful day & trails were so nice! We especially appreciated the tasty caramel corn! :) --Chetek, WI
- 1/31: I came to see your wonderful forest! and ski track! --Switzerland
- 1/31: Beautiful grooming! The Westside was outstanding! --Ladysmith, WI
- 1/31: Skijoured the Westside/team effort/excellent snow! --Rice Lake, WI
- 2/2: That infamous groundhog - BLUE HILLS BILL - couldn't find his shadow anywhere! Better ski while you can. Great fun today! --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/2: Very nice. 1st time. --St. Croix Falls, WI
- 2/2: Amazingly good skiing! Thanks. --author's location unknown
- 2/3: Back again today for some great skiing! --Amery, WI
- 2/3: A little icy at the start, but great "spring" skiing as the sun came out. Great job groomers, we appreciate your hard work. --Apple Valley, MN
- 2/4: Possible the BEST ski of the season - perhaps my life! Woo Hoo! The best line of the week: Groomer replying to person asking how he made the grooming so good, "I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you." Thank you groomers for scratching up the surface. --Ladysmith, WI
- 2/4: Wow! Good edge control and blazing fast! Thanks to everybody that makes these trails GO! --Ladysmith, WI
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