Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club

Snow is melting fast on south-facing areas, but trails elsewhere are doing okay. Because of the shallow snow and colder temperatures this year, frost is preventing meltwater from soaking into the ground, and the melt is running into and across the trails. On level ground and north-facing areas, this is not happening because there is not as much melting. Generally, spring conditions with slow, slushy snow. Ran across the trails a bit with the Pistenbully this afternoon to investigate a possible mechanical issue.
(Bob Conzemius)

All the trails are still open, but we have closed the gates, so it is a walk-in ski trail now. Let's hope we get hit with something super big in the next month or so. happy skiing!
(Spring Higley)

Waited for the air temps to rise above freezing to get a little grip with skin skis. Friday's wind blew a fair amount of debris onto some parts of the trail. Plenty of snow and a decent ski. The wildlife tracking was elite though. I was contemplating how many days old the abundant fading moose tracks were and then stopped to examine some new wolf tracks on the Sherry Lake Trail. A cow trotted out of the woods and down the trail for about 1 Km before it veered back in to the woods. Also some critter had dragged a piece of a moose near the parking lot and devoured everything except hair and some connective tissue.
(Jeff Pesta)

Trails too icy to ski so we hiked and cleared deadfalls on Prelude, Lake Loop to H and back down Bakers Road. We should have brought sleds to slide down the hills!
(Catherine McLynn)

We scratched up the skating lane and cleared trails of downfalls from yesterday's strong winds. We were not able to set classic track. The icy conditions just wouldn't let us get deep enough. Long Lake, Thunders, East, Rajala and Sunset look to be fair skate conditions. Be careful on the downhills, it's going to be wicked fast until it gets above freezing again. We are definitely in spring conditions so future grooming plans will depend on getting new snow to work with.
(Tony Carter)

Trails were groomed with tracks set. Go enjoy the trails while the snow is good!
(Stephanie Kessler, Cohasset City Parks)

Groomed and track set all north Suomi Trails. Go and enjoy the trails. The trails are great and the scenery is fantastic!
(Dale Juntunen)

Good afternoon, I would say to stay off of the advanced loop here, but it's just not groomed or track set for this loop. All the rest of the loops are groomed wide and track set well with deep tracks for the most part. Be careful on the downhills like always and have fun. The weather was beautiful for a ski this afternoon.
(Spring Higley)

Blackwater was groomed with tracks set. It's in great shape right now, go enjoy it!
(Stephanie Kessler, Cohasset City Parks)

We got a few inches of really fluffy snow! Groomed and tracked the trail. There may be a few little ridges, since the snow wanted to plow a bit more than normal. Should be great skiing!
(Jeff Love)

All trails are groomed and tracked. Boomer Blue has had lots of activity (skiers, walkers, and dogs-- all allowed). The tracks on Loops 1, 2, and 3 are in good shape, but snowshoers were on 1 and 2.
(Jon Byrne)

Lots of snow and many fun tracks to view. Trails were not groomed. Very fun if you like to break trail through powder with a backcountry ski (couple feet deep in some spots). Absolutely stunning skiing along the lake ridge and through the pines to the bog.
(Jessica Loes)

Set new Classic tracks this morning on all Doan Lake Trails and Trout Lake except the N Spur. Very nice skiing out there.
(Carl Nordgren)

The trails have been combed and tracks have been set. Conditions are about as good as they get! We groom the trails here for the benefit of our friends and neighbors, using an old Ski Doo Alpine II (single front ski and twin tracks). It's not in great condition, but we've managed to keep it working for years. Today, just as we finished grooming, the fuel line ruptured and gas went everywhere, and caught fire. Thankfully, no one was injured, and we put the fire out quickly. Unfortunately, this will probably be our last grooming report for a while. On a related note, we'd like to give a special shout-out to our draft horses Hank and Barney, for helping to haul the snowmobile off the trails!
(Bryan French)

Trail is groomed up nicely after the last snow. Still has some pine needles in areas. Have fun lots!
(Spring Higley)

Omigosh track setting was perfect! Skiff of snow, 5 degrees and Blue Extra wax. I could ski up most hills in the tracks and didn't go too fast on downhills. No sitz marks! Left tracks as perfect as I found them!
(Catherine McLynn)

Skied counter-clockwise around the McKinley Lk loop, over to the outhouse intersection, and most direct route back to trailhead. Temperature was at thawing so snow was soft. Low lateral stability and variable friction made for challenging conditions, especially while breaking trail on the first loop.
(Brad Bensen)