Thurs. March 19 - No skiing today

I've had a chance to look at more of the trails, and my conclusion of yesterday is confirmed. Skiing is basically finished for this year. We do not have sufficient snow cover, and where the ground is covered, it is more like ice than snow.
I am starting to think about things I can do to improve the trails for next year, for instance widening one or two spots which will allow me to groom where I could not groom this year.
To those of you who came this year, I hope you enjoyed it, and I look forward to seeing you again next year.

Wed. March 18

I've been away for a few days, travelling in northern Ontario. On Sunday, I skied at Stokely Creek Lodge near Sault Ste. Marie, where there is still plenty of snow. In fact, there had been a fresh snowfall of about 7 cm on Saturday, making for very scenic skiing through a winter wonderland.
Meanwhile, back here in the Orangeville area, the snow cover has been reduced dramatically. I had a very quick look at the trails last night, and we definitely have some major bare spots. Right now I would NOT recommend skiing.
It is possible that we may still receive another significant snowfall, which would bring back reasonable ski conditions, but I don't see anything big in the forecast for the next week. Without significant new snow, skiing will essentially be finished for this year.

On the trail at Stokely Creek Lodge, March 15, 2015

Friday - disappearing snow base

We have lost a lot of snow over the past 2 days. The open fields toward the north end have large bare spots on them, although the trails are still covered. Nevertheless, the snow base on trails is getting thin in spots. A couple more days of warm temperatures will probably result in bare spots on some trails. Unless you are a real die-hard skier, I would pass on skiing this weekend.

Wednesday - sunny and soft

The sun is shining strongly and the temperature is +6. Maple sap is running and that means the beginning of the end for skiing. The trails (other than #7) are still well covered with snow, but the surface is very soft and wet. I set some track in the central part of the system this morning, but it won't last long because of the melting that's taking place, especially in the sunny places. Shady areas will hold up a bit longer and are firmer and faster.

Tuesday March 10

Spring skiing continues: icy and fast in the morning, wet and slow after it warms up. There is still good snow cover. Avoid the south end of #7.

Spring skiing has arrived

With the warm sunshine out there today, spring ski conditions have definitely arrived. My thermometer is reading +2 and surface snow is melting a little on south facing slopes. There is still plenty of snow on the trails, but the snow is quite variable in character. Depending on which direction it is facing and whether it is sunny or shaded, the snow may be wet and slow, dry and powdery, or glazed and icy in the tracks. From now on, conditions in the early morning will tend to be icy and fast, while later in the day it may become slushy and slow.

I tapped my maple trees today, and at least one of the taps is dripping.

Conditions Sunday March 8

I just came in from my morning ski - an hour later due to being on Daylight Saving Time now. There has been very little change from yesterday. We did not receive the 2 cm of new snow that was promised yesterday, but did get a trace last night.
Skiers should avoid the area at the junction of #4 Gazebo and #7 Around the Pines. All other trails are in good shape.

Saturday conditions update

Some trail sections in open areas toward the north end were drifted in a bit, so I have touched up the track setting in those areas. Temperature is up to -3 and skiing is very good on most of the network.
ONE SIGNIFICANT EXCEPTION: The Tai Chi centre is preparing to tap their maple trees and they have snow-plowed the southern portion of trail #7 Around the Pines, in the vicinity of the Gazebo. The south half of #7 is not recommended. You can ski the north half of #7 and use #16 Pine Cut to complete the loop. Also, trail #2 Gazebo is not recommended, since it leads to a dead end at the snow plowed section of #7. There is an ungroomed detour around the snowplowed trail section. It winds its way through the pines. Follow my ski tracks; the detour is marked with orange flagging tape.

Saturday March 7

I've just come in from my early morning ski, and conditions are very good. It is now -8 with a moderate west wind blowing, and some very light snow flurries. There is still the tiniest bit of icy crust on the snow in ungroomed areas, but where I groomed on Wednesday the snow is soft and powdery. Any new snow we receive today will only improve things.

Friday March 6 - Cold Today, snow tomorrow

It looks like today will be the end of the really cold temperatures. Tomorrow we expect about 2 cm of new snow with a temperature rising almost to the freezing point. That should make for some very nice skiing.
Some really warm weather is forecast for next week, so I will probably be tapping my maple trees over the weekend. The trees I tap are near the junction of Hockleycrest and West Side Story. I expect the Tai Chi Centre will also be getting their sugar bush up and running soon. This may affect trail conditions in the vicinity of Mainline and Gazebo and south end of Around the Pines.

Wed. March 4, evening

After a back-country expedition at Mono Cliffs Provincial Park, I completed the grooming of the northern trails here at Hockleycrest. Conditions are very good. These photos were taken at about 5 p.m. this afternoon.

Trail #5, West Side Story

Trail #10, Field and Forest

Wed. March 4 - Disappointment

Well, I'm disappointed in yesterday's "big" snow storm. We received a total of about 2 cm of new snow, with just a touch of freezing drizzle on top. That means there is a very thin ice crust on top of the snow, which breaks down easily when I take the groomer over it. I have groomed the southern half of the system and the results were good. The north half has not been done yet, and consequently last weeks grooming is covered by a little fresh snow. Nevertheless, skiing is still very good.

Tuesday March 3 - A wintery mix on the way

The weather forecast says we will get some snow today, possibly mixed with ice pellets or freezing rain. Let's hope it's not the latter. We'll have to wait and see what we get, and I will groom accordingly when it's all done.
Update: it started snowing about 10:15 this morning and so far we've received about 1 cm. It is snowing fairly hard right now, with a south wind and temperature of -8.

First Hints of Spring Skiing Ahead

Although air temperatures have been cold, and there is still plenty of snow on the ground, I noticed over the weekend a couple of hints that spring skiing is on its way. It all has to do with the sun.
First, the amount of daylight we are getting is now almost 12 hours per day; it is now possible to ski from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.!
Second, the sun is higher in the sky and there is a lot more warmth in its rays. Even at air temperatures of -5, the sun is beginning to melt snow on south-facing slopes. For those using waxed skis, this will mean variable snow conditions with varying amounts of grip and glide. And for everyone, it may mean hard, fast, icy conditions in the mornings, followed by slower, softer snow later in the day.
All of this is coming in the longer term. Meanwhile, tomorrow we are looking to receive new snow. Current predictions are about 10 cm.

Snow drift removal

The heavily drifted section of Mainline near the north end has now been fixed. I did some extensive cut-and-fill to correct the sharp cross-slope on the trail. As you can see, this section was quite a mess before the repair.

Trail before I did the repair

Partially finished

Much better ski conditions after the work is done.
It is no longer necessary to detour around this section.

I skied this section this afternoon, and it was actually the best it has been all winter.

Sunday March 1 - Good skiing, good weather

Today is St. David's Day - he's the patron saint of the Welshmen. A beautiful morning here at Hockleycrest, temperature -11 with no wind. Predicted high is -5 which will be very comfortable for skiing.
The trails are still in great shape; no change from yesterday.
Looks like we may get a significant snowfall on Tuesday, around 10 cm.