Wednesday evening update - ski while you can!

95% of our trails were groomed today; the only trail section that was not done was the eastern half of Northfield Circuit. However, the wind was strong from the west, so some sections in the open areas were getting drifted in very soon after grooming. Overall, the skiing is very good right now, but in this topsy turvy fickle winter we're having, it may not last very long. Tomorrow night, the temperature is predicted to rise to 0, with rain possible, so all this beautiful powder could be transformed into ice by Friday.

This is a portion of trail #12, taken this afternoon.

Now, I have a request for one of our skiers: the guy who comes and telemarks all over the place. I don't know if you read this blog, but if so, please stay on the trails, and only the trails that are meant for skiing. Today there were telemark tracks zig-zagging back and forth across some challenging hills, into the bush and back out again. There were ski tracks on trails that are marked as snowshoe only trails. Please read and obey all signage. I have tried to maximize the enjoyment for all user groups - skiers, hikers, and snowshoers - by creating separate trails for each group wherever possible. But if people won't obey the signage, then all this effort is wasted. How can I expect hikers and snowshoers to stay off the ski trails, if skiers insist on skiing on the walking trails. So, please be considerate of other trail users, and be a responsible skier. If you want to telemark off-trail, then please go someplace else; this is not the place for you.

Feb. 13 - Lots of snow

The official measured amount of snowfall yesterday was 24cm, but the strong easterly winds will have blown it around, so there will be more in some places, less in others. I will try to get some trails groomed today. Right now, we have very good back-country conditions.

Tues. Feb. 12 - Back in business again

New snow Sunday night amounted to about 7 cm of light powder. This provides just enough soft surface to ski on. I have rolled and packed most of the trails, mainly to provide a firm base for the new snow that is arriving today. The skiing yesterday afternoon was not bad; there is still ice below the snow, but now at least there is a soft cushion of 1 to 2 cm of packed snow on the surface. By tomorrow, we should have a lot more.

February 3 - bad weather coming

We have some bad weather coming in Sunday and Monday - melting temperatures, with rain and freezing rain. This will not be good for our skiing conditions.
I am going to be away for the next week, skiing at Stokely Creek Lodge, north of Sault Ste. Marie where there is plenty of snow. I will not be around to do any grooming, nor will I have any first-hand knowledge of conditions here at Hockleycrest. However, after 2 warm days, I suspect skiing will be either poor, or impossible.

Sat. Feb. 2, 2019

Today should be a good day for skiing. Trails are in good shape, and the temperature is moderating to a more comfortable level. The forecast calls for a bit of new light snow, which will soften up the surface just a bit. I will try to do some "touch-up" grooming this morning.

Trail #23 Black Cherry - Friday afternoon

February 1 - good snow, cool temps

We still have good snow, but temperatures are also still pretty cool. The wind, fortunately, has decreased to a gentle breeze, so it's a nice day for skiing.  This morning I have regroomed some of the trails that had drifted in the worst, but there is no guarantee they will not drift in again. I even set some track on some of the trails in the central area. It looks like Saturday may be a great day to ski. We have some warm weather and rain coming in on Sunday.

Mainline trail #1, on the monastery property

Trail #5 West Side Story