Here are official snow measurements from Zach Baumann today.  Needless to say, as soon as you read these stats they will be out-of-date.  We’ve got more snow in Thursday’s forecast. For those of you traveling along the North Shore on Thursday to be up here for the long weekend, expect possible lake effect snow all along the North Shore on Highway 61.  Drive slowly; we’re fine with whatever time you get here, just so you arrive safely!

• New Snow Last 24 hours:  1/4”
• New Snow Last 7 days:  2.25”
• Trail Base, Staked:  Average 6 – 8 inches
• Snow in Woods, Staked:  Average 11 – 14 inches
• Groomed with classic tracks:  60 k
• Surface Conditions:  Fresh packed snow
• Last grooming day:  1-9-16
• Total snowfall since Nov. 1:  42.45”

Comments:  We’ve had cooler temperatures these last couple days compared to the weeks before, but that hasn’t stopped the skiers or hindered the fun! Trail conditions remain excellent and the trees are still glistening with that beautiful snow cover. More snow is in the forecast again for Thursday and Friday.

An update on ice:  Aspen and Flour Lake are now safe for travel. We have been able to snowmobile pack the section of North-South Link that crosses Aspen and Flour as of last week; we anticipate being able to groom classic tracks into these trails as well after the next new snowfall. We still want a bit more ice before we go out there with the big groomers.

An update on the Poplar Creek ski trail:  Most of the Poplar Creek ski trail is now cleared but unbelievably, we’ve run into a section that’s still completely full of water.  How can this happen when it’s -20 below?  Weird winter.  So it’s groomed up to that point, and you can ski out on Poplar for many miles, but then you will hit the end of the grooming.  You need to turn around around there, since swimming in skis is really awkward. 😉   Poplar Creek is a lovely trail, so skiing back on the same route is no hardship.  Just don’t expect the usual complete circle.