...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!

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...

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!

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!

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...

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!

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.