DRXC loops R, X and C were track set this morning.
This evening, for the skaters, loops M, M extension, H and the parts of S to access H were rolled flat. The terrain is lumpy and watch out for shallow roots and ground in a few places where the snow cover was thinner.
The track set on M was left in place, so classic skiing is still available on M.
Conditions are decent, but we need alot more snow.
We have attempted to groom Intermediate M, D and K last night and this morning. Those trails were conditioned, rolled and track set, with the results being fair to good. We should be able to advance the grooming next week with the snow that hopefully will come (5 cm Sunday night and 10 cm Friday night), so we should have better and expanded groomed conditions by next weekend.
Trail conditions remain poor on most loops, but conditions are fair to good on Intermediate M (Kings Road short cut), K and D loops. Exercise great caution skiing on the ungroomed trails and especially on the hills
DRXC loops M, D and K have been groomed for skate and classic skiing. The snow base is very thin and so there are a few roots in the track (in just a few places – watch for them!), and track is quite wobbly in places. Trail conditions are FAIR to GOOD. The skate trail is very bumpy in places as well because of the marginal snow base. Still, we have some terrain to enjoy on Christmas Day while the turkey cooks, or whatever your traditions involve.
Groomer’s Recommendation: D loop and Intermediate M (M to Kings Farm Road bypass/shortcut), or D loop and Short M (M to the east end of K).
Merry Christmas and enjoy some fresh air!
All DRXC ski loops have been re-groomed for skate and classic skiing, with the exception of B loop.
Regrooming old snow that had been rained upon and refrozen a few days ago is the worst possible grooming conditions to deal with. Conditions are FAIR, with coarse granular snow. Conditions will be very fast, so caution is required on every hill. Intermediate M (king’s road) and short M were also groomed, so those loop options are recommended for skiers wanting to avoid hills, as well as loops R and X.
We had begun preparing B loop last week because there had been snow in the forecast that would have allowed us to do a nice job of grooming it for skate and classic skiing, but that snow didn’t come to be, then along came the warm spell and rain. B LOOP IS NOW TREACHEROUS with the long hills, icy terrain and the lumpiness of the snow base. B loop is not recommended for skiing.
There has to be more snow coming in March, so there has to be good conditions coming. Enjoy what we have until then, with caution.
The skate tracks on loops M, S and H have been re-groomed (freshened up). The classic track on these loops was not reset because it is holding up quite well (still in GOOD condition).
Loop B and the small side loop off H have now been groomed for skate skiing (for the first time this year). That means the classic track on B (back country track) has been taken out. Track setting for classic skiing on B is planned to be done Saturday morning after the next warm spell freezes again. Appologies to those who have temporarily lost their classic sking along that loop.
The classic tracks on Loops D, R, X and C were not regroomed, although they need it (FAIR condition). They will be re-groomed Saturday morning after the next warm spell freezes again.
Grooming has been challenging this year because of the warm periods and because of limited snowfalls and the thin snow base. If there isn’t snow in the forecast, we have to be cautious about re-grooming because we can recycle old snow only to a limited extent. We have to be very strategic to make the most of what we have.