November 24 - getting ready

After a brief encounter with wintery conditions last week, today's sunny and mild weather gave us a chance to get out on the trails and put up signage to help people find their way. We hope to have everything done by December 1.

Mainline trail near junction of #6 Central Park

Mainline trail just north of junction with #14 and #1a.

Hockleycrest Trail near junction of #10 Field and Forest

November 22 - No Skiing

We've lost most of our snow. There will be no skiing in the foreseeable future.

November 21

It got very warm yesterday afternoon, and consequently we lost some snow. What remained was more like slush than snow. Then last night it dropped below freezing and the surface froze. So, this morning, it's icy and crunchy out there. I would not recommend skiing today.

November 19

We had snow yesterday - about 5 cm - but the temperature was +3 and the snow was wet, heavy, and sticky. I would not recommend skiing today.

November 16 - more of the same

Our temperature yesterday reached just slightly above the freezing point, but we did not lose any snow. Conditions remain about the same.

November 15

Our skiing is still fair to good here. There was a little new snow yesterday, so we have close to 15 cm of loose snow on the ground. Temperature was right on 0 first thing this morning, and is predicted to rise to +2, so things may get a bit sticky later on. Trails have not been groomed since Tuesday, and we still don't have any signage up.

November 14 - skiing is improved

We've received a couple cm of new snow overnight and this morning. Temperature is comfortable at -3, so the skiing is quite enjoyable. No signs up on the trails yet, and about half the trails have been packed.

Nov. 13 - it's cool out there!

I've just come in from my early morning ski, under the light of the full moon. Conditions are fair to good on the trails, but it's chilly this morning: -17C. Roughly half the trails have been rolled and packed.
If you're thinking of coming to ski, remember that none of the guide signage is up yet, so you must know your way around.
It looks like we may get another couple of cm of snow tonight, and the cool temperatures will remain until the weekend.

Afternoon update

Good news and bad news. First the good: I've rolled and packed about 60% of the trails. Now the bad: the ATV started giving me trouble again, after about 75 minutes of operating. Clutch is slipping again. Last time, this was a very expensive repair.

Nov. 12 - improved skiing

Snow continued overnight and it's still flurrying. We now have 10 to 12 cm on the ground. Temperature is -8 with light wind.
Nothing is groomed yet, but I may go out later this morning and pack some of the trails. As you can see from the photos, the sun has now come out, and it's very pleasant.

Hockleycrest Trail #3 in the spruce bush

Mainline Trail just north of #12

Northfield circuit where it parallels Airport Road

November 11: we can ski

Today’s snowfall of about 7 cm, on top of the 1 to 2 cm we already had on the ground, is just enough to make skiing possible. I’ve just been out on the trails, and overall it’s not bad. There are a few spots that would qualify as “fast grass” but there is decent coverage on most trails. One problem with this early snow is that I don’t have my signage up yet. So if you’ve been here a few times before, and know the trails well, you could come for a ski tomorrow. But if you don’t know the trail network it’s better to wait until I have the signs up. My target for that is December 1st.

New season of skiing is on its way

It's November 3 and the ground is covered in white stuff. More snow is falling from the sky. It must mean ski season is approaching. There is not enough snow yet for skiing, but hopefully this is a sign of things to come.
I've been out on the trails, mowing and weed-whacking and pruning, and clearing fallen trees; so when the real snow arrives, we should be ready.
There is nothing new on the trails this year, except a new battery for our ATV groomer. I'm hoping we will have no mechanical breakdowns this year, so the trails will be well-groomed.