End of Season Round-Up

 I'm sure you all know by now that our ski season is finished. This was a pretty good season; at times, we almost had too much snow.

Our first day of skiing was December 5, 2024 and our last day of skiing was March 13, 2025. In between those dates, we had 79 days of skiable conditions (not always great skiing, but tolerable conditions). By comparison, last year we had only 44 ski days.

We got off to a slow start; skiing was not great in December, and snow was a bit thin in the first couple of weeks of January. One thing that was working in our favour was that we did not have a significant thaw all through January and February.

February brought frequent and abundant snowfall, often accompanied by strong winds and drifting, which made grooming a challenge. Interestingly, through the entire winter we did not have a major, widespread snow storm. Instead, almost all of our snow was lake-effect snow, coming in streamers from Lake Huron or Georgian Bay.

This year we had to temporarily close many of our northern trails, as the landowner carried out major logging operations. Over the summer I will be working at clearing away the debris left behind by the loggers, so that hopefully all those trails will be open next year.

No Skiing

 We have lost a lot of snow in the past 3 days. It is no longer practical to ski. Trails are closed.

Very Soft and Wet

 We've lost a lot of snow in the past 24 hours. Yesterday's high was +11 and the lowest it went overnight was +6, so the melting continued with no overnight freeze. Trails are soft and wet; not great skiing. To top it off, we're expecting rain, maybe even a thunder storm.

If I were you, I would stay at home today.

More Spring Skiing

 Ski conditions will be much the same today as yesterday. It's currently -2 and trail surfaces are frozen, hard and fast. By this afternoon, we'll be at +10, so the snow will be soft, wet and heavy. However, there will be a variation in the trail condition, depending on whether you are in sunshine or in deep shade. Trails through shady areas will remain frozen and icy later into the afternoon.

There is a large flooded area on the south west part of trail #5. The entire section from its junction with #6 Central Park to the junction with #23 Black Cherry should be avoided.

Still Icy

 Conditions on the trails are much the same as yesterday. The high temperature yesterday was just +1, so very little melting took place. This morning, it's -7 outside, so the trails are frozen hard.

Today, it's going to be sunny with a high of +7. If you were to come to ski just after the temperature goes above 0, say around noon or 1 p.m., you might find the right combination of a soft surface with a firm base beneath. No guarantee, but it might be tolerable.

We have a few small bare spots, and a flooded section at the south west corner of trail #5 which should be avoided.

More Ice

 After 2 very warm days, in which a lot of snow was lost, colder temperatures have returned. It's currently -8, and will probably only reach -1 today. That means the soft, wet snow has frozen again and our trail surfaces are very icy. Skiing is very difficult under these conditions.

Also, a result of the warmth and sunshine is that a few bare or thin spots have started to show up, and we have a flooded spot at the south-west corner of trail #5. This can be avoided by taking the southern part of #23 Black Cherry through the pine plantation.

I would not recommend skiing today.

Spring Skiing Continues

The temperature did not drop below freezing overnight. It is currently sitting at +6. The snow on the trails is soft, wet and slow. There is a flooded spot at the south-west corner of trail #5. Although I haven't been over there to check, I suspect there is a bare spot at the north-east corner of trail #7, at the crest of the hill near the junction with #4. Other than that, I believe we have complete coverage.