It doesn't look like MNRA will be groomed for the next couple days. Right now it's 9:30 and I'm looking at 34 F on Brett's thermometer. Temps must be below 28 or sled damages snow more than it helps. I'll see how it feels in the AM but meanwhile, enjoy the base that we have for the next few days and hope for lower temps. Happy sloshing!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Mines of Spain Trails
Trails at the Mines of Spain are very slushy in spots and wet in others. There was a lot of thawing today, Friday. Tried to groom trails, but to wet and thawing. Hopefully, we will get a little snow over the weekend to add some powder.
Ravaged Snow
"My dear friends," to borrow a phrase from John McCain, the snow is and will be ravaged in the next few days. Remember it was a borrowed phrase not indicative of my views. To the point of this site, get your rear-ends out the door and ski early tomorrow as this might be the last gasp for some areas, so ENJOY! - Brett
PS- actually if I hear McCain say that again, well I don't know what I'll do, maybe ski.
East River VAlley aka Carr Woods, Ames
fabulous skiing this morning (Friday a.m.)!! newly rolled, new snow, a little soft but it just didn't matter. We mostly skated (good skis) but I jumped in and out of the classic tracks a few times 'cause I simply couldn't resist the crisp cut of the newly set tracks and the diamond sparkle of the morning sun on all that brilliant new white stuff.
Looks like it's going to soften up pretty quickly.
- Jeri Neal and Sue DeBlieck
Keith Nicol - The online ski instructor
- The previous post by Chris reminded me of this fellow Keith Nicol. I've been using his site for a while and forgot to share it, sorry. I have him linked on the site's link page for future reference.
- I do like the focus on learning to skate without poles, my teacher wouldn't even let me carry poles for a week. Use those big muscles and try not to get dependant upon your poles. He's very good about returning emails if needed and his web site is very detailed - Brett.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
MNRA conditions @ 11:15am
MNRA - ski time 9:30-11:00am - firm and fast snow, the snow was getting faster as the temp increased. Classic skiers confirmed the classic track was running well - Brett
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
MNRA
MNRA was groomed tonight. I mostly just tried to smooth out the skate lane and left most of the classic tracks as is since they are better than the new ones I was trying to set. We have a huge base (try taking a ski off and stepping off the groomed area) so it's looking like we'll still be skiing in June.
Carr Woods/East River Valley Park
The Carr WoodsEast River Valley Park Trails were groomed last night. We still have at least a 2" base and 100% cover in almost all places. There are a couple of icy spots. Otherwise, skating should be excellent at least through the end of the week. I tried setting classic tracks with marginal luck. They are shallow in most places - Ryan
MNRA conditions @ 12:30 PM
MNRA - ski time 9:30-11:30am, skate snow was just a touch soft here and there but was getting faster through the day, should be very good tomorrow. The classis track was gliding OK downhill but as Paul mentioned a bit thin in places.
MNRA
MNRA was groomed tonight. Conditions should be good Wednesday morning as I didn't see a lot of drifting (other than Dubuque St on the way out there). Set new classic track which is shallow in a lot of places. There wasn't as much new snow as I expected out there and the sun, warm days and critters did a number on the tracks in places. I'll regroom tomorrow night unless Ashton needs my attention. Peace-
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Ashton conditions
An anonymous post about Ashton;
Ashton in IC was ungroomed on Tuesday eve, but some dudes had laid down a pretty solid classic track.
Skater punks on the scene reported conditions as "crusty."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
McCartney Results
Jason just missed winning stage 7 Sunday and finished 3rd, excellent result.
Tour of California results for Jason McCartney, 2/24/08;
Prologue – 53rd, GC 53rd
Stage 1 – 30th, GC 35th
Stage 2 – 49th, GC 36th
Stage 3 – 44th, GC 39th
Stage 4 – 48th, GC 34th
Stage 5 - 54th, GC 36th
Stage 6 - 62nd, GC 32nd
Stage 7 - 3rd, and 29th overall final GC
Decorah--Skiers' Paradise
- On the classical skier's scale, the trail that we have made at Silvercrest Golf Course, on the North side of town, is a 10. You can stay in our trail, or if you think it might be too fast on the downhills, you can make your own slower trail. Or keep one in the track for a medium speed.
- Of course, you will have to ski up the driveway, unless you have a good four-wheeler to get up there. But then you get the bonus downhill back to your car if you don't drive up.
- The track for classical and skate skiing in all of the Decorah Parks are excellent. That last bit of glitter that came down this week, covered up the leaves that were blown off in the last gale. Why do they always get stuck in the ski track, anyway?
- The bank thermometer read 37 degrees at noon, but the air doesn't feel that warm. So maybe the snow will last another day! Nancy and Ted
Morgan Creek, sorry on the late posting
23 degrees F., calm wind, sunny and plenty of snow
Here it is Birkie weekend and we are skiing on the Morgan Creek trails. Amazing! Everything was groomed and in very good condition. The warm up today made the tracks fast again. The skate lane was in very fine shape too. (Yes, walkers are leaving deep boot prints in places, but the sun has not yet drilled them down to the bare ground.) The only icy spot was on the Prairie Trail, but it was easy to get around. We had a fun time on the trails late this afternoon. But our thoughts are with the skiers in Hayward/Cable, WI. It should be a great race up there tomorrow.
John & Nancy Morris
Skate Smart
Watch the temps Skaters, if it's warm get off the gliders and slap on the classics. After whatever Monday's weather gives us please wait until the trails are groomed to ski. Let's prolong this snow base as long as we can, thanks!
Ashton/MNRA
Ashton was groomed and new tracks set tonight (Saturday). Everything was tenderized up and repacked but a bent skidplate on the groomer is causing that deep groove and some small berms y'all have noticed. Sorry, I was trying to figure out what caused it all night but had to get it back to the shop and look at it to see what was causing the problem. I'll get it fixed in time to reclaim the course after Mondays rain... ick!
MNRA seemed to be holding up well after a week of intense grooming. It was great to see so many people enjoying my work last night at the ski-n-s'mores, we're estimating 150-200 people took part. Quite a jump from last years 8 participants!
I'll groom in the morning if I can haul my butt out of bed... probably not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
