Snow and Trail Conditions Update

As of 2/17/2023:

Ladysmith Driftbusters (2/16/2023) UPDATE: 4:45PM

Trails will reopen tomorrow at noon. Studs and ice scratchers are highly recommended, if not required. Ride safe!

(2/13/23): Groomers are parked and hoping to be back out on Thursday. Rain in the forecast but a cool down on the other side. Spring/late season conditions from here out. Conditions will vary from trail to trail, day to day. Use common sense and ride accordingly.

Bluehills Trailblazers annual Fundraiser is Saturday, Feb 18 from 12-4 at the Bruce Fire Hall.

-Please check the Ride Rusk page for confirmation on your trail routes and for updates on trail maintenance and grooming.

 

Cross Country Ski Trails

Blue Hills Trails report: 1.2" of warm rain Tuesday/Wednesday, then falling temps. I visited the trailhead Thursday and found the following:

• Lots of snow in our neck of the woods.
• The access road to the trailhead (the Fire Lane Road) is glare ice. It has been lightly sanded down the middle.
• There's a couple hundred feet of glare ice from the Fire Lane road to the parking lot on Excelsior Road (West Side). My AWD vehicle was able to slowly negotiate the icy stretch safely.
• The parking lot by the East Side warming house has quite a bit of glare ice -- but it's manageable.
• The ski trails absorbed the rain, then froze like concrete. This hard surface will be fast and offer very little edge control if not groomed -- or softened by mild temps and sunshine.

Until we finalize our grooming options for the weekend, consider the following:

• The snowshoe trails are certainly available. Plan on using snowshoes that provide grip for the ups & downs.
• With cold temps in Friday's forecast, I'd suggest NOT skiing on Friday, it won't be enjoyable or safe until we can groom, or mild temps soften the surface.
• We are considering limited grooming either Friday evening or Saturday morning - watch for updates on our website.
• Temps on Saturday and Sunday will probably reach the mid 30s. If you'd like to try skiing the rock hard surface, wait until rising temps soften the surface.
• If you can't safely ski a downhill, it's OK to remove your skis and walk to the side.

It's been almost 4 weeks since our last good snowfall. There's snow in the forecast next week, that should help make the trails enjoyable again.

If planning on skiing that section of trails, note that there is a segment of trail just west of #20 that is bare ground where loggers have been turning around. Plan on removing your skis to walk through that 100 meter section. Due to the destructive December ice storm, open trails are currently limited to about 45% of the East Side of the trail system, and Excelsior Road on the West Side. Click on 'Trail Conditions at the center top of each page on our website to view the daily updates and informative maps.

-Be sure to visit their website or Facebook page for more trail conditions.

 

Ladysmith Area Trails report:

(2/3/2023): Jim groomed the east side skating lane and reports it as very good skiing. We also continue to work on our trail system after the storm in December. This includes the lighted trails at Ladysmith High School. There are a number of trees down and many branches still covering the trail. Jim has organized a work day this Saturday at 10:00 am to work on clearing the lighted loop. If we can get 8 or so volunteers we could get the trail cleared by noon. If you can lend a hand that would be great. Also there is a fun snowshoe hike of 1,3 or 5 miles on the Ice Age Trail on highway F south of Birchwood near Murphy Flowage Campground next Saturday, February 11. Snowshoes can borrowed from the Ladysmith Info Center at no cost.

-For more updates, check out the Ladysmith Area Trail Association Facebook page.

 

Christie Mountain

TODAYS SNOW REPORT! 10am - 10pm , 30/33 Trails Open, Sunny!

-Check out their website or Facebook page for more updates.