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Snow and Trail Conditions Update

As of 2/17/2023:

(2/19/23): US National Weather Service Twin Cities Minnesota is our regional weather. They're usually the most reliable forecast. Looks like we're in for some fun!

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

 

Cross Country Ski Trails

Trail Conditions
1.2" of warm rain Tuesday/Wednesday, then falling temps. We groomed the rock hard surface of the ski trails Friday afternoon.

  • The ski trails absorbed Tuesday'sย rain, then froze like concrete. Friday's aggressive repetitive grooming (grinding) of the skate lane created skiable conditions Saturday. To start the day, the skate lane had a layer of sugar snow that varied in quality & thickness -- and varied in the ability to 'get an edge". More typical of March freeze/thaw conditions, early morning skiers had to work harder to edge their skis on uphills and downhills - fast butย controllable. With sunshine and rising temps, the trail softened a bit for afternoon skiers.
  • The classic track had a skiff of new snow in it to start the day (Saturday). This provided a little kick in the morning - I'm guessing that afternoon temps in the mid 30s helped soften the old track. [ Note: because the trail surface is so very hard, trying to set a fresh classic track just is out of the question for us right now. New snow is in the forecast. ]

Grooming Plans Sunday Morning

  • Sunday morning we're planning on scratching up the skate lane on select trails: the East Side Core Loop from 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14 -- then the Roundabout trail 14-A5-A3-A2 -- and back to the warming house via the Core Loop 25-26-1. Also planning on grooming the Whitetail Trail (East Side 2-A1-26) and the skate lane on Excelsior Road on the West Side. Refer to maps (below) to get your bearings.
  • If you can't safely ski a downhill, it's OK to remove your skis and walk to the side.
  • Theย snowshoe trailsย are crusty and ready for you.

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.ย Click on 'Trail Conditions at the center top of each pageย on our websiteย to view the daily updates and informative maps.

-Be sure to visit theirย websiteย orย Facebook pageย 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 theย Ladysmith Area Trail Association Facebook page.

 

Christie Mountain

(2/17/23): TODAYS SNOW REPORT! 10am - 10pm , 30/33 Trails Open, Sunny!

-Check out theirย websiteย orย Facebook pageย for more updates.