Doug and his little grandson finished a trail tune-up this afternoon by making the skate track as nice as it has been all year. It should be great skiing in the morning.
The conventional/classic track looked perfect still. Must have set up well because there was fairly heavy traffic today. Things are looking up. Doug said his grandson slept through the entire time out, about 2 hrs.
Thanks to both Doug and his sleepy, but good-helper, grandson! :)
Doug has been hard at work again; thank you, Doug! He sent along this report just now:
The groomer lost a track setter Saturday evening, slowing things down. James put us back together yesterday and checked under for any problems. We are back and last night the conventional (classic) track was renewed and most of the skate track was fresh with one pass. Too late to do more.
Made 2 passes on the skate deck last night. Still cold and soft. Be aware of the winter festival today at Teton Lakes. Should be lots of folks out on the trails. Please be sure to kindly remind all to “know your groom”.
Wow. Doug started grooming last night at 9pm and don’t finish until 2am this morning. He rolled it first and then groomed a nice wide track, and also set the classic tracks. He took extra care to prep things for the Rexburg Winter Fest that will be held tomorrow. Jeff and I skied this morning and it was lovely. The snow is soft and forgiving, glides nicely but not super fast. It’ll set up well over the course of the day. Jeff will tune up the course tonight.
So…we were disheartened to see deep footprints down the middle of the skate track this morning, sort of ruining the fresh corduroy and potentially tripping up skaters. After the long, late hours Doug spends to create a great skate track, it’s sad to see it messed with. Please remind people not to walk or snowshoe on the ski trails, and that there are no dogs allowed. Also, classic skiers should stay in the classic tracks, and please don’t pull sleds down the center of the skate track.
I don’t have any information from the County on the Twin Bridges trail, sorry!
Doug groomed! Pavel reports that the corduroy (for skate skiing) is back. Excellent! Have a wonderful ski!
Doug headed out this afternoon to tune up the track. It was icy hard earlier today. Classic skiing looked pretty good, but skating was like, well, like ice skating on dinner plates. Doug said he would run the Ginzu over it to break up the ice. He should be finished soon (6pm). Thank you, Doug!
Just FYI, the track is holding up nicely. Don’t let the melting snow on the streets deceive you - we have plenty of snow and a great ski base at the Winter Park. I just wish we could turn down the wind a little.
Did you know that Doug is also County Commissioner in addition to a part-time dental practice with his son in West Yellowstone, church duties, and grandpa-hood; good thing he retired so he can stay so busy. He said that the County is now grooming a ski trail at Twin Bridges for both skate and classic. How exciting! That’s all the information I have right now.
Doug and Jeff tag-teamed on the grooming this evening. Thanks to both of them! The day was a little warm, but there’s a layer of icy pebble-like crystals from the freezing rain. So although it’s a little soft right now, the snow is fast and fun. Despite the warmer temperature tonight, the newly groomed tracks should hopefully set up well.
Jeff (my husband) is just finishing up grooming. Thank you, Jeff! Here’s his report:
Made one full pass of all the loops to finish out the work Doug started earlier today on the skate deck. Also did a few passes on the “race track” (the practice loop) and added classic tracks for the Youth Ski Club and classes tomorrow. Think it should set up nicely overnight.
Doug just sent this update:
“The trail had a quick tune up, both skate and classic. Should ski well, but not very durable.”
Jeff might groom again later tonight since Doug has Wednesday evening duties, although it may be snowing and blowing and would be better to wait.
The skiing has been really good. Many thanks to our groomers. Doug has kept very busy with grooming (sometimes twice or more in a single day) and Jeff steps in to help as needed. It takes several hours each time, so it’s no small feat. We appreciate them both for volunteering their time to do this service in addition to their regular professions. 🙏
Doug has the Maverick back and is hoping to have everything groomed by 4. Thanks, Doug!
There’s a fantastic base on the skate and classic tracks. We have new snow on top, though, and the Maverick isn’t available right now. I think the City is using it to groom the fat bike course at the Municipal Golf Course in town Doug is just waiting for it to be returned and then will groom - hopefully this afternoon. You can still ski on top of the new snow, of course. It’s not very deep and you’ll feel the base below.
The Youth Nordic Ski Club starts today. The registration is full, so there will be a bunch of awesome teenagers out skiing on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with some amazing coaches. We have a lot of great talent in the area and some excellent grooming. Winter in Rexburg is fantastic!
