The area bounced back with that fresh snow, and I don't think it's a stretch to say there's a good 6"+ of new snow on the higher reaches of the ski trails.
Mark and Andy put in 6 hours of groom time today to pack things down and freshen up. Bauer loops and the Rush connector both got groomed, complete with new classic track today. The Road to the top, Hamlin and Rush Creek all got new corduroy but no classic track.
Really nice late-season conditions prevail right now. There is decent to excellent coverage (except for the few perennial trouble spots) and the track was soft and forgiving. So bounce on up there and sink yer teeth into some fine skiing.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Snow is flying
The snow did fly today - Tuesday - though it looks to be winding down for now. It sounds like Mark and Andy are planning on doing some grooming tomorrow morning. So if you're jonesin' for some skiing, check it out. I'll update the blog as reports come in as far as conditions.
More snow possibly on the way. The chicken keeps getting a reprieve on her final flight.
More snow possibly on the way. The chicken keeps getting a reprieve on her final flight.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Friday Freshener
Happy Friday morning to you all. This is just a quick note to let you all know that Tom R. is up at the area at this writing and is freshening up the Bauer Loops, breaking up the crust and making the world safer for chicken lovers. I will update later when I know exactly how much terrain he has groomed.
Between the warm, the wind, and the sun, it's a bit like a convection oven for the ski trails out there, so conditions will be something less than optimal. And with no credible promise of new snow, the more grooming we do the quicker we will lose the coverage we have. However, the fattened hen has not loosed her final song yet, so if time allows get up there and enjoy it while you can.
Between the warm, the wind, and the sun, it's a bit like a convection oven for the ski trails out there, so conditions will be something less than optimal. And with no credible promise of new snow, the more grooming we do the quicker we will lose the coverage we have. However, the fattened hen has not loosed her final song yet, so if time allows get up there and enjoy it while you can.
Monday, February 20, 2012
On the fly/ Chicken flight RE-revisited on Tuesday
Just a quick note to let you all know that the area received some grooming attention today from Mark and Brad, and as a result the following runs are groomed:
Upper and lower little Bauer
Rush Connector
The road, to the top
Rush Creek Loop (no classic track)
Still needing attention are the South portion of Hamlin Loop and the North portion of Turkey Creek.
As of 1:00 pm today (Tues) Andy is up there making things super-sweet again:
Bauer is Buffed!
Rush Connector is righteous;
the road is radical;
and it looked like Andy was headed for Hamlin to polish it up. I'll give more information on Hamlin, Rush Creek Loop, and the south "Leg" of Turkey Creek Loop when I get a report from Andy.
Cap Allen claims it's the best Classic Track we've had all year. The skating lanes all firmed-up overnight, and so the skiing was truly superlative. We've got January conditions in late February, after having the reverse last month. We'll take it (like we have a choice).
LATE UPDATE:
Andy says he buffed EVERYTHING, yes that includes Hamlin and both Turkey legs (since when does a loop have legs?).
Enjoy!
Upper and lower little Bauer
Rush Connector
The road, to the top
Rush Creek Loop (no classic track)
Still needing attention are the South portion of Hamlin Loop and the North portion of Turkey Creek.
As of 1:00 pm today (Tues) Andy is up there making things super-sweet again:
Bauer is Buffed!
Rush Connector is righteous;
the road is radical;
and it looked like Andy was headed for Hamlin to polish it up. I'll give more information on Hamlin, Rush Creek Loop, and the south "Leg" of Turkey Creek Loop when I get a report from Andy.
Cap Allen claims it's the best Classic Track we've had all year. The skating lanes all firmed-up overnight, and so the skiing was truly superlative. We've got January conditions in late February, after having the reverse last month. We'll take it (like we have a choice).
LATE UPDATE:
Andy says he buffed EVERYTHING, yes that includes Hamlin and both Turkey legs (since when does a loop have legs?).
Enjoy!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Thawed or unthawed?
Which is it? Does anybody really know?
Honestly, this morning it was frozen solid when I was out there; and so was my face for the first half-hour. Technically, I believe that would be "unthawed."
Explanation: I have actually seen that term - unthawed - in cookbooks. Easy to determine from the context what was meant was "thawed," as in not frozen. "Unthaw a whole chicken." Where was the editor? Possibly passed out from too many chicken mcnuggets.
Regardless, the chicken was quite frozen this AM, though I'm sure it "unthawed" later in the day. Mark and Fred groomed this morning despite several technical problems - everything from a dead battery, to a shredded drive belt, to a broken wiring harness. Still the mighty chicken tamers forged on; grooming for about 5 hours total. Way to go, guys. Many thanks.
With today's heat, my guess is the track will be fast and perhaps a bit treacherous tomorrow (Sunday). The road to the top got groomed and will most likely be firm tomorrow, though it was a bit soft today.
Frozen or thawed, it's all good; so please have another helping.
Honestly, this morning it was frozen solid when I was out there; and so was my face for the first half-hour. Technically, I believe that would be "unthawed."
Explanation: I have actually seen that term - unthawed - in cookbooks. Easy to determine from the context what was meant was "thawed," as in not frozen. "Unthaw a whole chicken." Where was the editor? Possibly passed out from too many chicken mcnuggets.
Regardless, the chicken was quite frozen this AM, though I'm sure it "unthawed" later in the day. Mark and Fred groomed this morning despite several technical problems - everything from a dead battery, to a shredded drive belt, to a broken wiring harness. Still the mighty chicken tamers forged on; grooming for about 5 hours total. Way to go, guys. Many thanks.
With today's heat, my guess is the track will be fast and perhaps a bit treacherous tomorrow (Sunday). The road to the top got groomed and will most likely be firm tomorrow, though it was a bit soft today.
Frozen or thawed, it's all good; so please have another helping.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Fricassee
OK, all you militant vegetarians can stop reading now as I'm going to wax poetic about chicken fricassee. In Catholic grade school, first and second grades, everyone's favorite hot meal was the chicken fricassee. That includes me. I didn't often get to buy the hot meal due to the high cost (.25 cents) but the 2 or 3 times per year the lunch ladies threw down with fricassee I was right there. It was tender, smooth with creamy gravy and biscuits.
Well, that's what the area was like today. We may want to consider renaming the area if this keeps up. The good news is it will be even better tomorrow. That's right; Mark and new groomer guy Fred are planning to be out there bright and early Saturday morning to buff things out for you all.
Speaking of biscuits, a gentle reminder to the dog owners to clean up after your pooches. There's a bunch of pooch-poo lying around right by the trailhead. Yuck.
See you at the area tomorrow; and bring your forks.
Well, that's what the area was like today. We may want to consider renaming the area if this keeps up. The good news is it will be even better tomorrow. That's right; Mark and new groomer guy Fred are planning to be out there bright and early Saturday morning to buff things out for you all.
Speaking of biscuits, a gentle reminder to the dog owners to clean up after your pooches. There's a bunch of pooch-poo lying around right by the trailhead. Yuck.
See you at the area tomorrow; and bring your forks.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
So Sweet (Revised)(And re-revised)
Many thanks to groomer Andy who appears to be making a day of it up there. We hit fresh sweet corduroy and matching classic track on the Bauer Loops, the Rush Connector, and the Rush Creek Loop, including the road. The upper loops are still a touch soft for skating, but no complaints.
I'll update more completely later when I get a report from Andy. But for now I just wanted to let you know the skiing is quite tasty.
Warm and sunny in the forecast, so don't dawdle...
PS Andy also groomed Hamlin Loop!
Andy logged about 5 hours of grooming. He also got stuck 3 times and had to change out the battery in the machine. Groomer of the year? Huh, whaddaya say, folks? Andy. Rocks!!
I'll update more completely later when I get a report from Andy. But for now I just wanted to let you know the skiing is quite tasty.
Warm and sunny in the forecast, so don't dawdle...
PS Andy also groomed Hamlin Loop!
Andy logged about 5 hours of grooming. He also got stuck 3 times and had to change out the battery in the machine. Groomer of the year? Huh, whaddaya say, folks? Andy. Rocks!!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Hearts to the Groomers
Hearts to the Groomers.
Snow falling lightly
Sun is peeking behind clouds
Skis on - set to go
Corduroy patterns
Blissful and ever serene
Thank you all groomers
Volunteers are they
Working hour by hour
Hearts to all of you!
And Hearts to the Skiers!
Remember to sign in (no name necessary) it’s the skier numbers that matter!
Thank you for your donations. Chicken Creek Nordic is an ALL-Volunteer group. Donations are used for gas/fuel/oil, equipment and equipment repairs.
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
Monday, February 13, 2012
...May I have another?
Thank you Ullr. And it looks like more is on the way, at least through tomorrow (Tues) night and perhaps into Wednesday. Just in the nick of time as far as the Bauer loops are concerned.
So, here's what we are doing about it:
We groomed the Bauer loops today to a fine state of corduroy. They turned out quite nicely, thank you.
The Rush Connector got two passes with the roller. It's not pretty, but skate-able. Same story for the road up to the top of the Hamlin Loop. So there is some skating to be had.
Hamlin Loop, Turkey Creek Loop, and Rush Creek (West) got packed by snow machine followed by one roller pass. They are all pretty soft and need more work before we can set classic track or call them fit for skating. Our main concern was getting that snow packed down in case we get a big dump over the next 2 days.
No classic track set anywhere yet. That will be and end-of-storm priority.
Mark, John and Peter were your groomers today, putting in a total of about 10 hours worth of work. We will work to keep up with the snow, but it's probably going to be deep at some point when you go up there, so if you're a skater, take your classic skis along in case. I'll try to keep the blog updated the best I can.
Thanks for all your support!
So, here's what we are doing about it:
We groomed the Bauer loops today to a fine state of corduroy. They turned out quite nicely, thank you.
The Rush Connector got two passes with the roller. It's not pretty, but skate-able. Same story for the road up to the top of the Hamlin Loop. So there is some skating to be had.
Hamlin Loop, Turkey Creek Loop, and Rush Creek (West) got packed by snow machine followed by one roller pass. They are all pretty soft and need more work before we can set classic track or call them fit for skating. Our main concern was getting that snow packed down in case we get a big dump over the next 2 days.
No classic track set anywhere yet. That will be and end-of-storm priority.
Mark, John and Peter were your groomers today, putting in a total of about 10 hours worth of work. We will work to keep up with the snow, but it's probably going to be deep at some point when you go up there, so if you're a skater, take your classic skis along in case. I'll try to keep the blog updated the best I can.
Thanks for all your support!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
More grooming news
Tom R buffed out the Bauer loops today, and also did a lane up the road to Hamlin and down Rush. He claims the skating is super fine.
It looks like the snow promise may become a reality by the weekend. Last night's snowfall didn't even qualify as a "skiff." Let's see what the weekend brings...
It looks like the snow promise may become a reality by the weekend. Last night's snowfall didn't even qualify as a "skiff." Let's see what the weekend brings...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Groom Time - Amended (thrice)
This just in...
Sounds like Andy is up at the ski area right now, freshening things up for you. If I get more detail later I'll send it your way.
LATER: Sorry, false alarm. Andy did get in a good ski though and he deserved it, since he is ace groomer supreme.
MORE LATERER: Cancel that "false alarm" notice. Andy did groom. Did. Did. Yes he did.
For the time being, no blog entry means no grooming has occurred. We'll wait and see if this weak system moving through yields any scratch for the bird.
LATER STILL: And it appears there are more storm systems moving in, each later storm packing a larger wallop than the previous one. So we will try to best utilize our volunteer resources to the greatest effect. Stay tuned...
Yeah!
Sounds like Andy is up at the ski area right now, freshening things up for you. If I get more detail later I'll send it your way.
LATER: Sorry, false alarm. Andy did get in a good ski though and he deserved it, since he is ace groomer supreme.
MORE LATERER: Cancel that "false alarm" notice. Andy did groom. Did. Did. Yes he did.
For the time being, no blog entry means no grooming has occurred. We'll wait and see if this weak system moving through yields any scratch for the bird.
LATER STILL: And it appears there are more storm systems moving in, each later storm packing a larger wallop than the previous one. So we will try to best utilize our volunteer resources to the greatest effect. Stay tuned...
Yeah!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Garuda, forgive me
Alright, so the Vedic god Garuda probably isn't a chicken (but he might be). Still, the skiing at the area was fit for the gods, kings, and all the people I saw up there just loving it today. Mark and Peter were up there early doing the Ginzu twinz thing and making the snow just so sweet, flat, phat and forgiving. Look in the dictionary under "hero snow." That's what it was like today. No crusty, scary, uneven, rutted-out track today, no way!
Some bare spots are reappearing, true; especially at the lower reaches of the west side of the Bauer loops. Just go around 'em, I guess. Or take a shovel up there and cover 'em up. That would be OK too, as long as you don't use snow from the track to do it.
Everything got groomed today. Don't miss out!
As of today, the plan is to groom again tomorrow evening (Wednesday). Keep checking the blog for updates. If you choose to subscribe to the blog, you'll get an email notification every time we update. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for those emails to go out - like overnight - 12 or more hours. Lazy electrons I guess. So the best bet is to subscribe (or "follow", in the lexicon of the day. Be advised, if you follow me you may need counseling; I have no idea where this thing is going), AND to regularly check for updates the old fashioned way. Bookmark us!
Good Cluck!
Some bare spots are reappearing, true; especially at the lower reaches of the west side of the Bauer loops. Just go around 'em, I guess. Or take a shovel up there and cover 'em up. That would be OK too, as long as you don't use snow from the track to do it.
Everything got groomed today. Don't miss out!
As of today, the plan is to groom again tomorrow evening (Wednesday). Keep checking the blog for updates. If you choose to subscribe to the blog, you'll get an email notification every time we update. Unfortunately, it takes a long time for those emails to go out - like overnight - 12 or more hours. Lazy electrons I guess. So the best bet is to subscribe (or "follow", in the lexicon of the day. Be advised, if you follow me you may need counseling; I have no idea where this thing is going), AND to regularly check for updates the old fashioned way. Bookmark us!
Good Cluck!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Grooming Update Monday Evening
OK, ok, we hear you! It looks like there will be some grooming activity up at the area tomorrow morning. Right now the classic track is sitting pretty, but the skating lanes, maybe not so much. So we'll have at least 2 groomers out there in the AM trying to take advantage of the latest snowfall.
We know you all get excited about the snow, and we hope you'll have patience with the fact that all grooming is done by volunteers, 6 of whom donated time this weekend to snazz up the area for the weekend. Snowfall has been spastic this year (as you may have noticed) and it's been a bit jarring to try to get in the grooming groove all-the-sudden like.
Anyone who has the time and energy, and would like to be involved with the grooming end of the operation is cordially invited to reply to this posting and we'll get you into the loop. Many hands make light work, and all that. So please don't be shy...
We know you all get excited about the snow, and we hope you'll have patience with the fact that all grooming is done by volunteers, 6 of whom donated time this weekend to snazz up the area for the weekend. Snowfall has been spastic this year (as you may have noticed) and it's been a bit jarring to try to get in the grooming groove all-the-sudden like.
Anyone who has the time and energy, and would like to be involved with the grooming end of the operation is cordially invited to reply to this posting and we'll get you into the loop. Many hands make light work, and all that. So please don't be shy...
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tender and sweet, if not boneless
Guess what kids? The area got another 3-6 inches last night! Cap, Tom and Peter were on it early and got the grooming done in short order. Conditions are really incredible at the moment, and the parking lot was full. Lots of smiling faces out there for sure.
Everything got groomed, including upper and lower Bauer loops, Rush Creek loop, Hamlin loop, and Turkey Creek loop. There is classic track everywhere except for the west side of Turkey Creek loop.
So don't be a turkey; go ski the chicken!
Everything got groomed, including upper and lower Bauer loops, Rush Creek loop, Hamlin loop, and Turkey Creek loop. There is classic track everywhere except for the west side of Turkey Creek loop.
So don't be a turkey; go ski the chicken!
Friday, February 3, 2012
When Chicken Meets Turkey
OK, so last night's snowfall was pathetic. It's true. HOWEVER, today's grooming efforts were anything but. Mark, Andy and John got on that snow bright and early, grooming everything and setting classic track all the way up.
Joan and I got up there at the crack of 10 and I must say, conditions were absolutely fantastic. We skated the west side of Bauer, all of Hamlin, and Rush. We started up the top of the road, but it needs to set up overnight. It was just a touch soft and we didn't want to tear it up. Turkey creek is a ditto. Please let it set up tonight. Tomorrow (Saturday) ought to be superb.
To recap; go ski.
Joan and I got up there at the crack of 10 and I must say, conditions were absolutely fantastic. We skated the west side of Bauer, all of Hamlin, and Rush. We started up the top of the road, but it needs to set up overnight. It was just a touch soft and we didn't want to tear it up. Turkey creek is a ditto. Please let it set up tonight. Tomorrow (Saturday) ought to be superb.
To recap; go ski.
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