Monday, December 31, 2018

Groomed and Set

Jeff and Doug worked on the track in the middle of the night, finishing in the wee hours of the morning. One rolled out the track while the other groomed it. The classic track is set and the skate track is beautiful fresh corduroy. It should be nice skiing if we can keep the wind from blowing over the track.
Thanks, guys!



Sunday, December 30, 2018

Snow Report

No grooming yesterday or today - we're waiting for the snow to stop. It's expensive to run the machines, so it makes sense to wait until the storm passes. Plus it a waste of time to groom only to have the track covered again as if grooming never happened.
Thanks for your patience and understanding. This is good snow to put on your touring skis and kick your own trail.
If you try skate skiing, you'll definitely know when you veer off the snow-covered base and punch through the crust off the sides of the track.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Grooming Report

Doug tuned up the skate track tonight, noting that it should ski well. He said the classic track needs more snow to be reset, so he moved part of it (setting a brand new classic track). Depending on how that new portion fares and how much usage it gets, he may move more of the classic track tomorrow evening.
As always, many thanks for the grooming!

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Christmas Grooming Present

Merry Christmas! Doug spent Christmas Eve tuning up the track. He skied it this morning and reports that it tuned up very nicely and smooth. We didn't get enough new snow to reset the classic track, but it's still okay.
Thank you, Doug.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Grooming Report

Thanks to Randy and Doug, the groomer is up and running again. I was half-way through the icy course when I ran into Doug on the 4 Track coming from the other direction. He's roughed up the ice and tuned things nicely for skating. There's not much to be done in the classic tracks until we get more snow, but they are holding up for the most part.

On the skate track, watch out for a gravel patch on the southeast side of the Perimeter (near the highway, under the Willow).



Thursday, December 20, 2018

Track report and Grooming is on hold

The skate track is holding up, but is icy and rutted in the mornings, and soft in the afternoons. The classic is okay, although the walls are falling in. Time for some new snow!

Also, Doug and Randy had to send the groomer to the shop for repairs, so no grooming until that's fixed. The mechanics are expediting repairs so the hope is we'll be up and running again on Saturday.


Thursday, December 13, 2018

December 13 Grooming

Randy and Doug worked on the track last night to put all our new snow to good use. They groomed, buffed and tuned everything up for both classic and skating. It should be well-set up and amazing by this morning. All trails are done, including the practice loop by the parking lot. 

The Nordic Ski Club kids (grades 7-12, who meet on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:15-5:15) are in for a fun ski today!

A huge thanks to Randy and Dough for their hard work and excellent grooming. 

Saturday, December 8, 2018

December 8th Grooming

Randy finished tuning up the track last night around 10pm. The hard pack snow made grooming tough, so expect some lumps from the four track or grooves from the knives of the Ginzu Groomer. We could use some new snow, but still it's great to have a track at all.  Thanks, Randy!

Saturday, December 1, 2018

December 1, 2018 Grooming

Doug has been hard at work! It's so exciting to be able to ski locally again. I don't know if the City has set out the port-a-potty yet, but there is a restroom in Redd's Grill if needed.
Sorry to be the wet blanket, but I need to remind people of course etiquette in order to help everyone have a good ski, and most importantly in order to respect the work our volunteer groomers do and all of their own time and own money they invest in grooming and grooming equipment. Please read the course rules below and help spread the work (kindly) to people on the course.

Here's his report:

I just finished grooming.  It looks good, but may be a little soft.  The classic track mostly has snow in it.  Not like last year when it was mostly grass.  I think you will be pleased, For December 1st it is fantastic. 

Please remind everyone about course rules.  
  • Keep Classic skiers off the skate track. These can ruin the skate track.
  • NO FAT BIKES (already had one in the slush). These can definitely ruin the skate and classic track.
  • Discourage dogs, please. They can mess up the skate and classic track, interfere with other skiers, and disturb the wildlife.
  • If people are pulling kids in something that doesn’t fit track, please just pull them along the edge.  
  • And DO NOT WALK on the groomed trail. Nothing like bootprints and post-holes in the track to trip up a skier. 



Hope all have a wonderful experience.  

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Track Report

The skate track has set up amazingly well and has hardened up but isn't icy.  It's beautiful.  Doug has gone out again since yesterday morning and added some fun detours to ski on.

The classic track is holding up pretty well, except in the Cow Pasture and some spots here and there.

Unfortunately there have been some people walking down the middle of the skate track over by the Cow Pasture (southern end of the golf course).  Ugh.  The footprint holes haven't ruined the track there completely, but it's not great.  I'm sure it was unintended and not malicious - some people just don't know better.


Monday, March 5, 2018

February Weather Report

(In case you're wondering about the track condition, check the post just after this one.  Doug has been hard at work and has done wonders!  Thank you, Doug!)

Lee Warnick sends out this weather recap each month as part of a Rexburg Weather Group, and has given me permission to post it on this blog.  It's interesting to view weather variations.

FEBRUARY PRECIPITATION: 

Precipitation: 0.07 / 9 percent of average

Snowfall: 2.5 / 28 percent of average

2018 annual precipitation (2 of 12 months): 1.39 / 79 percent of average

2017-18 water year precipitation (5 of 12 months): 3.49 / 71 percent of average

2017-18 season snowfall: 32.1 / 66 percent of average

     • This, remarkably and strangely, was our driest February on record, breaking the previous mark of 0.10 inch set in 2002 (right in the middle of our intense millennial drought). 

     • How remarkably and strangely? We had our driest-ever February despite having at least a trace of rain or snow fall on 16 of the month's 28 days (and all but two days in the month's final two weeks!). Some of the systems that dumped epochal amounts of snow in parts of Montana and brought much-needed significant snowfalls to Utah left us almost completely high and dry. Under normal circumstances, we had more than enough opportunities to reach normal precip, not break the all-time record for least precip. Salt Lake City had normal precip and Great Falls three times the normal precip (including nearly 3 feet of snow). Pocatello and Boise managed 55-65 percent of their normals, so the record-breaking dearth in Idaho Falls and Rexburg was the white tiger. This is one of the strangest anomalies I've seen in all my years of weather-watching.

     • Our weird streak of alternating months of wet and dry weather has reached 7. As you can gather from all the brown numbers above, dry months have been drier than wet months have been wet over this run. And with the wild start to March (some storms finally delivered!), this odd-even streak has a decent chance to continue -- we've received more than half of March's normal precip in the first 4 days.

FEBRUARY TEMPERATURES:


High temperatures: 34.5 / 1.2 degrees above normal
Low temperatures: 20.2 / 5.5 degrees above normal

Zero or below days: 0     Normal: 4.1
Highest wind gust: 53 mph on the 17th
Number of windy days: 9    Normal: 4.0

Highest temperature: 48 on the 8th
Lowest temperature: 4 on the 20th
Lowest wind chill: -8 on the 20th

     • February's average high temps were about the same as January's, which means February's were a bit closer to what we're used to. Not so with low temps, which continued way, way above normal for the 3rd time in the past 4 months.

     • We've dropped to zero or below just 3 times this winter. If we stay here, which is likely, this will be the 3rd lowest seasonal total of zero-or-below days in the 47 years of Rexburg's weather annals.

     • The first half of February continued January's prevailing balmy pattern, and we could well have been flirting with all-time records had it continued (notice how the snow melted really fast and early this year). But the final two weeks were colder than normal, evening things out somewhat. In February's first two weeks, high temps were below freezing just once (Rexburg's normal high temp doesn't rise above freezing until Feb. 11); they were at or below freezing on 12 of the month's final 14 days.

     • It was also windy in February, which often signals a stormy weather pattern with plenty of snow or rain. But wait until you read the news about February precip!

Grooming Report

Doug and Mother Nature have worked a miracle - skiing here in March! The track is beautiful (see pictures below).  The skate track is pretty soft right now (still new enough that it hasn't set), but it's lovely.  If you have a quiver, soft-flex skis are great on this track until it hardens up.
Doug also set the classic tracks.  The classic tracks look amazing, with just a few bare patches - like two tiny spots.
Just heads up, the port-a-potty is not on site anymore but you can use the Redd's Grill bathrooms if necessary.  (And after you ski, you can treat yourself to a tasty burger, salad, or a cup of hot cocoa.  Yum!)





Saturday, March 3, 2018

Skate track groomed, Classic skiers need to kick their own track

Great news! Doug has been hard at work. He sent this text this morning:
The trail is ski-able again for skating.   The base is  minimal, but saying that, I groomed last night and I am headed out again now.  With what we had yesterday and where we are today it will be pretty good.  Classic skiers/non-skaters PLEASE ski on the FAR edge of the skate track so it doesn’t ruin it for skating, and then everyone will have a good time.  There is not nearly enough snow to set classic tracks.  And with the forecast it will not last long.  That being said let's all have a good time while it lasts.

Monday, February 5, 2018

Teton Lakes - Done. Other Options

The season ended early at Teton Lakes.  No more skiing here.



Pat sent this photo of Kelly Canyon, taken on Saturday.  He says the skiing is still pretty good.  Lots of climbing, but the road has been groomed.



And as always, you can check out Harriman State Park, Teton Valley , Pocatello, and West Yellowstone's Rendezvous trails for nearby skiing.



Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Track Report

The classic track is pretty sad, but the skate track is remarkably nice if you can get out early in the day or later on when the snow isn't too soft.  Doug has done a good job tuning up the course.  Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Grooming & Track Report

Here's a grooming report from Doug early this afternoon :

The track it is about as good as it can be for what we have to work with.  The light was good this morning and I went out and made one trip around.  I think if you stay in that area it should be good skiing and set up well. It was set up enough that I was not removing all of the ski marks.


The classic track has snow in the bottom most of the time which is better than anytime this winter.  Please encourage classic skiers to stay in the track and not down the middle of the skate track.  It was bad this morning.


Then Doug reported on the track later this afternoon:

Just had a very enjoyable time skiing.  The track has formed up and the snow does not slide on top of the ice.  The ride is more stable and smooth.  There are still a few spots where rocks are near the surface, i.e. cart paths and along the south bank of the river.  So you better get out because the snow is coming tomorrow and I will be in West tomorrow.   Thursday evening I may get out again if we get good snow.

THANK YOU, DOUG!

Track Report

It snowed after Doug groomed the course.  The snow hadn't settled when I went out, so it was soft skiing and the track was hard to see (flat light didn't help).  I did see classic tracks set, but I don't know how firm they are.  The soft snow is resting on a layer of ice in many parts, so it's hard to get a bite on your pole tips - they skip out a lot.  Hopefully it will all set up nicely soon.

Meanwhile, it's great to be outside and the soft, slow snow is a good time to practice technique (you sorta end up skiing in slow-motion, so you can focus on form differently than when you're skiing quickly).

Happy Trails.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Grooming Report

Doug spent his afternoon grooming the course yesterday.  The Ski Club kids were making their own track, and half-way through grooming Doug came by on the fancy 4-Track.  There were lots of whoops and hollers as the kids got to ski fresh corduroy - even though it was soft and hadn't set, it was better than the snow-shoeing they were doing.  Doug was gracious enough to go back and clean up the mess our skis made on the fresh groom.
I don't know if he set the classic track after we left, but I plan to go check it out later today and will report.
The snow is still thin, so watch out for gravel - it tripped up my son pretty good and tore off a piece of my edge.  Rock skis are still in order. More snow is coming, though.  I read that the second half of our winter was going to be a lot wetter than the first half.  That'd be great, as long as the temps stay down.
Happy Trails.




Saturday, January 20, 2018

Track Report - Teton Lakes Reborn!

Just an update on the ski track. I spent time today tuning and somewhat resurrecting the thing.  There are a few detours but for the most part it is good skating and the conventional track is okay where I could find ungroomed snow to work in.  It is not the same track in many places like on the hill out east by the freeway I had to be creative, so follow the groomer tracks not your old mind set.  But you can still get a good work out.  Cart paths and bridges need precaution but for the most part it still works and the snow is very fast.   Have fun and pray for snow.


Doug

Friday, January 19, 2018

Cupid Cup CANCELLED

We’re sad to announce that the Cupid Cup is officially cancelled due to lack of snow.  

We’re hopeful that we may have better cooperation from Mother Nature in the years to come. 

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Toko Wax Recommendations - Cupid Cup 2018

WAX RECOMMENDATION

Cupid Cup
Teton Lakes Golf Course, Rexburg, ID Saturday, January 20
10 A.M.
5/10K, Skate or Classic

Mass start, 2 Laps

Forecast/Conditions: Overnight low of 19, 22 at start, rain/snow mix likely Friday. An 80 percent cloud cover, 30 percent chance of new precipitation during race, 90 percent relative humidity. Track will be hard, transformed snow possibly covered with 1-2” of new snow. Groomers will loosen up surface of skate lanes prior to start. Due to conditions classic lanes likely will be non-existent.

Glidewax: Apply LF Black, scrape and brush, then apply HF Blue, scrape and brush. Finish by crayoning JetStream blue, iron hot (320F)with a layer of fiberlene under the iron, traveling slowly (60 seconds) tip to tail. Brush with a dedicated nylon polishing brush and polish with a

Gripwax: Roughen base with 150 grit sandpaper, apply Nordic Base Klister Green, let cool and apply Nordic Klister Blue/Klister Red mixed 1:1, let cool. If course is covered in new snow, roughen base with 150 grit sandpaper, apply Nordic Base Wax green, let cool. Then apply 2 layers GripWax Red covered with 1 layer of GripWax Blue, corking between layers. If using skin skis, see our skin treatment options for best results.

Structure: A fine structure covered by one pass with the Blue Structurite tool (before JetStream application) will best suit these conditions.

Created by Randy Anderson, Toko Tech Team member since 2015.
Randy@TokoUS.com
 
Check the Wax Tips page at TokoUS.com before all of your races for the latest waxing information. The Toko Race Wax Tips offer racers precise waxing advice on how to make your skis perform optimally for a given event. For racers who don’t have top end waxes, skip the Fluorocarbon (JetStream or HelX) and substitute the LF or NF wax of the same color (Yellow, Red or Blue). To see optimal application procedures for both Glidewax and Gripwax, go to the How To link at TokoUS.com.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Track Report

Watch for a few puddles throughout the course, especially by the parking lot and the first stretch along the west side of the course.  If you're there early, those parts will be icy.  If you go later in the day, you may run into mush or free-standing water.  In between those areas, however, the track is pretty good.  Doug has skirted around some of the bare patches to create some viable skiing.  The classic track is not holding up as well as the skate track.  I'd suggest taking skis off and walking carefully across the bridge if you head into the Cow Pasture section.  
Early in the day, crust cruising is another option.  Just be wise, and realize that cross-country skiing isn't always perfect.  :)
As of now, we are still planning on the Cupid Cup Race on Saturday.  The course may need to be adjusted, but we won't know until Friday.

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Grooming?

Doug sent this very helpful (and hopeful) report just now:

I groomed yesterday and to be honest it turned out better than I thought it would.  Just finished skiing this morning.  For the most part it was good.  There are ice patches where you should be on skates, but that is better than puddles or lakes.   With just an inch of snow it would be fantastic.  Let’s pray for a little snow and no rain or warm weather.   Some cold nights would help also.  If people ski they should do it early in the morning, and not ski when it is warm and leaves deep tracks.  The trail could be altered to new areas if we do not get new snow and that will depend on having cold weather to freeze the lakes under the snow.  For now we wait!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Track Report

It's raining, and we expect rain all day. Ugh.
The track is holding up though, and it should snow later tonight and tomorrow, so hopefully we there's not a lot of track damage, and that we recover from today's rain quickly.
Still, the skate track is pretty good right now.  The classic track is mostly okay, but falling apart in places.

Think nice, cold, snowy thoughts...

Sunday, January 7, 2018

Grooming Report

Doug worked on the track (yippee! and THANK YOU) and sent this report:

Saturday’s snow was not much, but enough to make skating very good.  Most everything is covered, the base hard and firm, the surface is just soft enough to give a great ride, the temperature and texture makes the snow very fast.  I will tune it Monday morning and it should be good until it snows Wednesday morning.  The classic track still has bare spots but not as many as before.  Next snow should fix all.


Jeff and Randy put out the kiosk yesterday (Saturday) so the map is up for your convenience.  We will post a Cupid Cup poster on the board, too.  Please join us for the Cupid Cup (scroll down to a previous post with the details). This is a fun race on a fast course with lots of really nice people.

Happy trails.

Friday, January 5, 2018

Track Report and Etiquette

If you've been out at all this week, you'll know that the skate track is hard packed, icy and rutted, with grass and rocks here and there.  Additionally, the icy classic track now has some grass showing through.  It's kind of tough skiing.  Skiing on the hard pack will fatigue your muscles quickly and any falling won't be on soft snow, so just know what to expect.  However, it's pretty fun if you're just double poling.  It's fast (until you hit a patch of grass)!

Doug has done a great job creating some diversions around the worst parts.  You can definitely ski, but it's kind of like you're ice-skating.  There's not a lot that can be done until we get new snow.  If we were to try to tune up the track right now, we'd risk tearing it all up into big ice chunks and/or puncturing through to the grass below.  Because this is a golf course, we are very careful not to damage the grass.   All we need is a little bit of new snow, however, and we're back to great skiing.  We're supposed to get snow this weekend.

Heads up, our resident moose is back.  Please treat the wildlife with respect and do NOT try to approach any animals.  We prefer no dogs on the track (in order to keep the track nice and protect other skiers and wildlife).  If you choose to take your dog, please keep it under your control at all times and off the track or to the far side as much as possible.

And as always, please don't walk or snowshoe on the groomed skate or classic track.  Please try only to skate on the skate track and classic ski in the classic track.  Our groomers volunteer all their time, equipment and gas - we don't want to mess things up that they've worked so hard to create.

Happy trails!





Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Cupid Cup 2018 Poster

Cupid Cup 2018!










Cupid Cup 2018

We're happy to announce this year's edition of the Cupid Cup: January 20, 2018!

All Registrants for the Teen Races on up will receive a special edition Cupid Cup Krieg Multiclava
This is alone is a $25 Value - we'll have plenty of prizes and
raffle items as well!


When:  January, 2018
  • Registration - Click Here - Open until 9AM January 20th.  Same Day Registrations will be available at 9AM on Race Day.
  • Start Times
    • Little Kids  10:00 AM
    • 5 & 10K Classic 10:30 AM 
    • 10K Skate 11:00 AM 
    • Teen 2.6K 11:15 AM
Where:  Teton Lakes Course

What:
  • Little Cupid Race - Kids Loop
  • Teen Race ~2.5K
  • 10 K Classic, timed (2 laps on the Perimeter; optional 5K by finishing one lap only)
  • 10 Freestyle, timed
  • Cocoa, Cider, Tunes and Party Atmosphere
Why: Because Nordic Skiing is literally COOL!