Doug just texted this update. Thank you, Doug!
I put the track back together last night. The skate track is good, but the conventional track is just ok. The snow and the tracks are very hard and difficult to soften enough to get the track setters to go to depth. I should have gone over it twice but working the Maverik like I was, the back track began to jump. I think we have a problem and I will have James look at it tomorrow. We are skiing and much better than yesterday. Have a great Sunday.
There’s been no new grooming because of the warm, wet weather. But the snow is holding up and looks like it has transformed - both the classic and the skate should be pretty good. There are some thin patches you need to watch out for, and also blown-over areas. It’s not ideal, but it’s still good to get out. Enjoy the warm, windy day!
Jeff is just back from grooming. Lots of drifting going on, so in the exposed areas, YMMV. Did a quick groom on the classic track that might get blown in. The skate track was holding up ok between the first and second pass, but drift busting left some spillover in the track. We'll tune it up when the snow and wind settle down in the coming days.
A huge thanks to Doug again for his work. He sent this text last night:
I spent time working on the skate this afternoon and evening. It should ski well. I put the groomer inside over the weekend and thawed it out. I found a few missing screws from the back mat that may have contributed to the abrupt edge in the middle. Added some screws and the track blends better in the middle. I need to watch better and thaw it out more often, if nothing more than to take some weight off. Anyway, it looks better, hope it skies better. Let everyone know for morning. Happy skiing
My daughters just got back from Ski Club and said they saw Doug out grooming. The track was covered, soft and slow this morning, so we’re happy with, and grateful for, the grooming (always!).
The City of Rexburg is hosting a virtual cross-country ski race this week. Check out the link for details:
https://www.rexburgraces.com/yeti-chase-race/
Note: This is not the citizen-sponsored Cupid Cup we’ve traditionally held (we have not planned to host it this year because of COVID-19), but is a brand new race entirely run by the City.
Doug groomed the skate deck this morning. Jody reports that it’s still soft but nice. The Clover Leaf hasn’t been groomed, but it has been skied on enough that it’s okay.
Jeff is just heading out now (Thursday, 10pm) to groom, so we should have good (but soft) skiing in the morning, although the snow may continue to fall throughout the night and leave a fresh layer on the track. Have fun!
Note: Grooming takes 2-3 hours each time. In order to respect the volunteer time and effort, please remember not to walk, snowshoe, or sled on the ski trails, and please no dogs on the course.
And while we’re at it, please also don’t throw trash in the port-a-potty. Thanks!
Doug just sent this skate track update:
“I softened the skate track this morning early and should be good skiing all day.”
A huge Thanks! to Doug for his excellent work.
Also, the classic tracks are holding up, although they have been getting a lot of traffic (which is fantastic!). Jeff classic skied tonight and said the tracks are just fine.
We’ve had a group of sledders using the hills on the Clover Leaf and the Perimeter for sledding down and walking straight back up the middle, leaving big boot prints in the snow and also flattening out the grooming. If you see that, will you kindly direct the sledders back to the sledding hill? I’m sure it’s simply a matter of not knowing the ski trails are intended for skiing only, and a little gentle education can hopefully clear it all up.
Thank you!
Did two passes with the ginsu groomer on the skate track (all loops) to try and soften things up a bit. Classic tracks should still be in good shape.
Jeff groomed the skate track last night and the classic tracks are well set. Have fun!
There hasn’t been any grooming since last night’s snowfall, so the skate deck and classic tracks are covered in crusty snow. The skate track is surprisingly skateable (because of the crust and also the firm base) but it is a little punchy. Be careful not to trip up in tracks left by previous skiers. A couple of classic skiers say the classic track is good, just a little icy. Enjoy!
We expect high winds this afternoon, so even if it is groomed before then, it could blow over in a lot of places later today. We are planning to groom late this evening once the afternoon wind dies down.
Jeff tuned up the skate deck last night and Doug groomed a small practice loop inside the Clover Leaf. There wasn’t much they could do with the classic track, but it’s holding up well.
The kids Ski Club meets this afternoon. There are all levels of skiing among those teens, from brand-new beginners to more-experienced. It’s great to have them out there. Happy trails!
Here’s an update from Doug:
My son Joe last night touched up the skate trail, it looks very nice. We did not touch the conventional track so it’s not perfect, but it’s still in very good condition. Skiing should be good today and Jeff will make it perfect for Thursday ski school. Our Maverick Groomer should be back on line today with a heater, defroster for the window and a front light bar so we don’t run over a bridge or in the river. If for some reason the Maverick is not ready my RZR is ready for another evening run. Have a great day.
The City’s four-track groomer is in the shop getting a much-needed heater, so Doug’s son is out now (9pm Tuesday) grooming with Doug’s razor. Many thanks! The skate track will be ready for skiing tomorrow, and the classic tracks are set really well already. Enjoy!
I just stopped at the course to take a look. So far there’s no grooming yet (10am), but the parking lot has a good 15+ cars and there are skiers out enjoying this sunny day. The snow is very soft with a powder layer on top. I can see one skate skier pushing through the snow. Looks like he’s getting some glide. The classic skiers are having a good ski, it seems. I will post again if I get a grooming update.
Looks like the course has been groomed for skating and the classic tracks are set. Thanks, Doug! Heads up: The youth Ski Club starts today (Monday and Thursday afternoons), with over 40 teens signed up and out on the course. Should be fun!
Remember the Great Toilet Paper shortage last year? Jeff mentioned an article he read saying that Nordic Skis are the new toilet paper - there’s been a run on cross-country skis. It’s a great outside, socially distant, fight-the-winter-blues activity. This is definitely a bumper year for skiing.
