Fanatic skier sighted!

The skier I reported this morning was back again this afternoon! While I was clearing fallen trees on the Bruce Trail property this afternoon, along came Steve, skiing without shirt in the 15 degree sunshine. Conditions were not great: about 5 cm of melting ice nuggets that had fallen off the trees in the good spots, bare earth in the bad spots, punctuated by fallen trees and branches. Not my idea of good skiing, but I have to give him credit; he was out there doin' it.
After a full day of chain sawing, most of the big stuff on the trails has now been cleared, but this is for hiking. I would not recommend skiing, as the "snow" is almost all gone.

March 27, 2016

Well, I didn't think we would have any more skiing, but somebody (obviously a ski fanatic who likes a challenge) has been on the trails late yesterday or early today. I saw their tracks on a good portion of the network. I'm going to go way out on a limb here and guess that it may have been Michael. We had something white on the ground yesterday, though I wouldn't really call it snow. It was mostly ice, the result of Thursday's freezing rain storm. Now, much of it is gone, as we have bright sunshine and a temperature of +13. I've been out all yesterday afternoon and all this morning with the chain saw, clearing fallen trees and branches from the trails. It's a real mess. The hydro has been off since Thursday night and is not restored yet.
Let's hope that next winter has lots of nice white fluffy snow. We don't need this stuff.

Monday, March 7 - I think this is the end

We had a very good weekend on the trails. The conditions on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the early part of Sunday were possibly the best we've had all season.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Looking at the weather forecast for the week ahead, I'm sure all our snow will soon be gone. It is unlikely we will see a return to skiable conditions before next winter.
I want to thank all of you who came and skied and enjoyed the trails; seeing happy skiers is what makes it all worthwhile. Thanks to those who have made comments, and to those who left a contribution in the donation box.
I am already working on a number of improvements for next year. Among them are:

•  a new entrance trail from the parking lot at the south end, eliminating the problem of hikers trampling the ski trail
• an extension of the trails at the north end, adding about 750 m of new trail
• widening of the Mainline trail in the southern area, east of Tamarack, so that it will be groomable

Also, the Caledon Hills Bruce Trail Club is working with the Town of Mono to expand the parking area and put a proper surface on the entire parking lot. That should be done before next winter. Hopefully, next winter will have more snow and more consistent below-freezing temperatures so that we can build a snow base and keep it for the season.

Sunday, March 6 - Beautiful

I've just come in from a lovely sunrise ski. It's a really pretty morning out there, starting off a bit cool at -13, but sunny and with no wind. Yesterday's snowfall of about 2 cm has left every twig on every tree coated with a thin outline of white.
If you come early (before noon) you will find very good ski conditions out there. After lunch the temperature will rise to about +4 and things will not be so nice.

The Lowdown trail, taken while grooming this morning (track-setting sled in foreground)

The Ash Grove trail, 9:30 a.m. this morning
 

Saturday Afternoon Update

I've just been out, both grooming and skiing. The skiing is very good today. There has been a persistent and continuous snow flurry all afternoon, and the temperature has not risen above -1. I touched up the grooming with a light sweep, primarily on the skate loops and some downhill sections, to eliminate ski tracks, footprints and assorted rough spots.
Things should still be very good tomorrow morning. By noon, the temperature is predicted to rise above zero, and conditions will start to deteriorate.

Saturday March 5 - Last Hurraw?

I will not be at Hockleycrest until later today, so trails will not be groomed today. Skiing should still be good, with some possible flurries predicted and a high near 0.
Warm weather arrives tomorrow; this may be the end of our ski season.

Friday March 4

Good skiing conditions continue. We picked up one or two centimetres of new snow yesterday afternoon, from a persistent, localized flurry that wasn't forecast.
On the Tai Chi property, you will encounter some minor interference between the ski trails and the work they are doing preparing for maple syrup season. Trail #7 Around the Pines crosses snow-plowed access roads in 3 places.
The grooming from Wednesday and Thursday should hold up well today. The larger, steeper hills are skiing very nicely with the soft surface snow on top of a packed base.
Enjoy today or tomorrow; it looks like Sunday may be the end of our skiing.

Thurs. March 3

Ski conditions are good. All trails were groomed yesterday. I have been out this morning to touch up the grooming in the drifted areas (the wind is not blowing at the moment). I have also packed the skating loops and set some track in the northern portion of the network.
One thing to keep in mind: it is now March and the sun is strong. Snow on south-facing slopes will begin melting, even if the air temperature is below zero. These areas will be icy first thing in the morning, and wet later on if the sun is shining.

Combination skate/classic section of Trail #12, after grooming this morning
 

If you want to ski, better come in the next couple of days. It looks like things will deteriorate rapidly starting Sunday. Instead of maintaining ski trails, I will be tapping maple trees and making syrup.

Trail #5 yesterday afternoon
 

Wed. March 2

We definitely have snow; yesterday's storm brought us about 20 to 25 cm of beautiful powder. It is so deep that in places the groomer had difficulty getting up the hills.
All trails have now been groomed, at least with the roller and snow comb. Trails in the central area have also been track-set. I did not groom for skating today.
There is a fairly strong wind from the north, so there will be some drifting in open areas. Other than that, conditions are very good - probably the best we've had all season.

Trail #3 in the spruce plantation

Trail #3 alongside the white pine plantation

Tuesday March 1 - Waiting

It looks like we are definitely going to get some significant snow today and tonight. I will groom tomorrow, after the snowfall is finished.