Groomer Update

Doug let me know that he rolled the skate track using the snowmobile (he didn't groom with the four wheeler since it's out of commission). The skate track is rough, he said, and he's not sure how it will skate. He wasn't able to do anything with the classic track since the snowmobile doesn't pull the track setter.

Doug said, "We will be transferring the 4-tracks to the City's ATV today or tomorrow. Back in business soon."

4-Track is Down

Bad news: the 4-wheeler (with the 4-tracks on it) broke down yesterday just at the end of the Boot. The groomer was left on the track while the machine went in for repairs. It needs a pricey new transmission, which may take some time to hunt down. Doug and Randy asked that everyone please be understanding and patient as they try to figure things out. 

Thanks to them both for working incredibly hard at providing a great winter activity for so many of us.

Grooming Report

Happy news! Doug and Randy spent many hours last night and again today grooming the skate track and setting the classic track. After a few days with the snow piling up, the weather backed off enough for it to make sense to groom again. So we are back in business and as good as new. The entire course is ski-ready.

Have fun, and a HUGE thank you to Doug and Randy (as always!).

02.16.19 Grooming Report

From Doug:

The skate track is good. The classic is good and bad, but much better than yesterday.

Track Report

Doug worked on the track this morning, fixing up lots of problems caused by the wind yesterday and new snow. He set new Classic tracks that look pretty good. He also did one pass with the groomer for the skate track. One pass means we have a narrow skate track (hard to stride out) but its sooooo much better than no grooming. Doug says that it may be especially narrow and soft where the drifts are, and you may punch through. Still, he says, it is much better than yesterday. The late-morning snow and mid-day rain may have changed conditions since he groomed. It's likely to be soft and sloggy. Thanks to Doug for spending the time, even if it's not the best conditions to work with.

Grooming report

Doug reset the classic tracks and groomed one pass over the entire course this morning, then Randy went out and made another pass on the skate track later this afternoon. Between the two of them, we should have some excellent skiing. Randy noted that Doug must have spent hours working on the classic tracks today to get them reset. Our groomers have done a fantastic job. Looks like we have more new snow in the forecast, so I expect the track will need more work almost as soon as the it has set from their grooming today...

Thank you to those who have donated for a gas card. All this time, equipment, know-how, and gas are from volunteers. If anyone still is interested in donating, there's a "Donate" button on the web version of this blog - but there's absolutely no obligation.

Last week for Kids Ski Club

Just a reminder that today and Thursday are the final practices for the Youth Nordic Ski Club. Thanks to everyone who joined in and to the many people who have made this possible.

Track Update

Doug has been working extremely hard this winter and he keeps going and going! Many thanks, Doug.
I just got this report from him:

I have been working on the track this morning, rolling and just scouting where it is.  It was a challenge,  but I think it has been found: the wind is blowing in the tracks in within 15 minutes, so I am waiting to groom when the wind calms down.  The track is skate-able but very soft.  There are drifts I have never seen before.  Good luck today. Skiing is not very good and I can’t make it better right now.

Grooming now

FYI, Doug is out on the 4-track, grooming right now. Thanks, Doug!

Grooming Report

Thanks to Doug, the skate and classic tracks are still good to go. He reports:

The track is groomed except the Boot, it got late last night.  There will be soft places where the drifts are and there are places where I could not get the conventional track shaped like I wanted.  No such thing as perfect conditions.  As a whole we are in good shape.

Track Report

As you can imagine, the track is pretty sloggy - a word that came into my mind as I was trying to skate today. The skate track is mashed potatoes and the classic track is falling in on itself, but the temperature is pleasant - so that's nice, at least...
The forecast shows that Winter isn't done, though, so don't put away your skis. We've got snow coming and temps dropping, so we're still good for a while. What a great winter!

Skate Track Tuned up

Randy reports that he worked the skate track as best as the tines could do on such a hard track. It's buffed out and should skate fast with some more control (and easier on the legs) than yesterday. Thanks, Randy!