Over the past few days, I've been taking down the ski trail signs. I believe I've got them all down now: total of 355. I usually find one or two more that I've missed, later on.
While walking the trails, I also look at things I want to do to improve conditions for next year. Things I've noted so far include: additional snow fence in one location; earth grading to level trail sections with a cross-slope; potential small reroutes on the Harmony and Tamarack trails.
Sunday, 29 March 2020
Wednesday, 25 March 2020
March 25
Well, I think our ski season is finished for this year. The snow is gone, maple syrup season is done, and we've moved into the season of mud.
However, the work of maintaining our ski trails does not end. I've been taking advantage of social distancing to do some improvements that will hopefully benefit us all next winter. On the Black Cherry trail #23, today I did some pruning, limbing, and removal of trees to facilitate my own form of "flattening the curve". Specifically, by removing some branches and some entire trees, I will be able to straighten out some of the sharpest curves on the trail, so it will be easier to groom, and easier to ski with a smoother flowing diagonal stride.
This work also constitutes a form of forest management, as I select the appropriate treatment for various types of trees. Any ash tree that is growing close to the edge of the trail is removed, since it will likely die from the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer within the next 5 years. Wild apple trees near the trail are also being removed, as I have an over-abundance of them. The Black Cherry trees, after which the trail is named, are being retained but pruned to remove low, spreading branches that grow out into the trail. Multiple trunks on the cherries are also being removed, in order to concentrate all the energy into a single strong trunk. The apple and cherry twigs, which were up in the air, are now lying on the ground where they will feed the rabbits.
However, the work of maintaining our ski trails does not end. I've been taking advantage of social distancing to do some improvements that will hopefully benefit us all next winter. On the Black Cherry trail #23, today I did some pruning, limbing, and removal of trees to facilitate my own form of "flattening the curve". Specifically, by removing some branches and some entire trees, I will be able to straighten out some of the sharpest curves on the trail, so it will be easier to groom, and easier to ski with a smoother flowing diagonal stride.
This work also constitutes a form of forest management, as I select the appropriate treatment for various types of trees. Any ash tree that is growing close to the edge of the trail is removed, since it will likely die from the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer within the next 5 years. Wild apple trees near the trail are also being removed, as I have an over-abundance of them. The Black Cherry trees, after which the trail is named, are being retained but pruned to remove low, spreading branches that grow out into the trail. Multiple trunks on the cherries are also being removed, in order to concentrate all the energy into a single strong trunk. The apple and cherry twigs, which were up in the air, are now lying on the ground where they will feed the rabbits.
Tuesday, 10 March 2020
March 10 - No skiing
This might be the end of our skiing for this year. We've lost a lot of snow over the past 2 days. It's currently +7 and raining outside. There are numerous bare spots on our trails. Definitely no skiing today.
Whether there may be a resumption of skiing after a period of time remains to be seen. Occasionally, we will get a good sized snowstorm in late March or even early April, and this would enable us to ski again for another few days. We'll have to wait and see if that happens this year.
Ski trails are closed today, and until further notice. I will not be posting conditions again, unless there is some good news to report.
Whether there may be a resumption of skiing after a period of time remains to be seen. Occasionally, we will get a good sized snowstorm in late March or even early April, and this would enable us to ski again for another few days. We'll have to wait and see if that happens this year.
Ski trails are closed today, and until further notice. I will not be posting conditions again, unless there is some good news to report.
Monday, 9 March 2020
March 9 - beginning of the end
I skied a little bit this morning, but conditions are poor. Yesterday's warmth and sunshine took its toll on our trails. The melting continued overnight, as the low temperature was +6. We have lost a lot of snow; what remains is either slush, or ice.
Please don't ski here today.
Please don't ski here today.
Sunday, 8 March 2020
March 8
Today is Day 74 of skiing this season.
The skiing is still tolerable on our trails this morning. I was surprised on my early-morning ski that, in spite of yesterday's warmth and sunshine, some of the snow is still quite soft and powdery. But there are also some icy sections too. With a predicted high of +8 and sunshine, the snow will definitely get soft and wet this afternoon.
The skiing is still tolerable on our trails this morning. I was surprised on my early-morning ski that, in spite of yesterday's warmth and sunshine, some of the snow is still quite soft and powdery. But there are also some icy sections too. With a predicted high of +8 and sunshine, the snow will definitely get soft and wet this afternoon.
Saturday, 7 March 2020
March 7 - Hurry!
Today is Day 73 of skiing this season.
Yesterday's snow flurry started about 9 a.m. and continued until about 6 p.m. As a result, we have 3 to 4 cm of soft powder on our trails, over a very firm base. The skiing is not bad. According to the forecast, the temperature will remain below freezing until about noon. If you can get here this morning, you could have a fairly nice ski, under sunny, blue skies. After lunch, I think the snow conditions will become more challenging.
Yesterday's snow flurry started about 9 a.m. and continued until about 6 p.m. As a result, we have 3 to 4 cm of soft powder on our trails, over a very firm base. The skiing is not bad. According to the forecast, the temperature will remain below freezing until about noon. If you can get here this morning, you could have a fairly nice ski, under sunny, blue skies. After lunch, I think the snow conditions will become more challenging.
Friday, 6 March 2020
March 6
Not a ski day.
Conditions are essentially the same today as yesterday: very icy this morning, possibly softening up this afternoon if the temperature gets high enough. The snowfall that was predicted for last night has not happened.
Conditions are essentially the same today as yesterday: very icy this morning, possibly softening up this afternoon if the temperature gets high enough. The snowfall that was predicted for last night has not happened.
Thursday, 5 March 2020
March 5
Once again today, I'm not going to call this a ski day.
After another warm afternoon, the temperature fell to -5 overnight, and consequently the trails are very icy this morning. The forecast high today is +2 with a mix of sun and cloud, so things might soften up this afternoon. Nevertheless, I would not recommend skiing today.
There is the possibility of snow tonight and tomorrow. We'll wait and see what happens.
After another warm afternoon, the temperature fell to -5 overnight, and consequently the trails are very icy this morning. The forecast high today is +2 with a mix of sun and cloud, so things might soften up this afternoon. Nevertheless, I would not recommend skiing today.
There is the possibility of snow tonight and tomorrow. We'll wait and see what happens.
Wednesday, 4 March 2020
March 4 - Don't ski
I skied this morning, but it was not fun. After yesterday's warmth and rain, it froze overnight, so the trails are very icy. With a predicted high of just +1, I don't think the icy crust is going to soften up much. Therefore, I'm going to say today is not a ski day.
The forecast calls for flurries with the potential of 2 cm of snow later today. If that happens, it could change things, but it cannot be depended on.
The forecast calls for flurries with the potential of 2 cm of snow later today. If that happens, it could change things, but it cannot be depended on.
Tuesday, 3 March 2020
March 3
This is Day 72 of skiing this season.
It will be possible to ski today, but I would not recommend it. We are definitely into spring skiing conditions. After hitting +5 with some rain yesterday, the overnight temperature dropped to -2. The trails right now are icy and very fast. The snow will get softer and slower later on, as the temperature again goes up to about +4, with possible rain or drizzle. It doesn't look like a great day to go skiing.
It will be possible to ski today, but I would not recommend it. We are definitely into spring skiing conditions. After hitting +5 with some rain yesterday, the overnight temperature dropped to -2. The trails right now are icy and very fast. The snow will get softer and slower later on, as the temperature again goes up to about +4, with possible rain or drizzle. It doesn't look like a great day to go skiing.
Monday, 2 March 2020
March 2
Today is Day 71 of skiing this season.
The skiing first thing this morning is surprisingly not bad. Yesterday afternoon's warmth and sunshine did not do very much damage to the trails. Current temperature is +2, which is actually a good thing, because it means we do not have ice. I encountered a few glazed sections in the ski tracks, but generally the snow is still fairly soft and powdery.
The glide is slow, and will get slower as the temperature rises to +5, with some rain expected later.
The skiing first thing this morning is surprisingly not bad. Yesterday afternoon's warmth and sunshine did not do very much damage to the trails. Current temperature is +2, which is actually a good thing, because it means we do not have ice. I encountered a few glazed sections in the ski tracks, but generally the snow is still fairly soft and powdery.
The glide is slow, and will get slower as the temperature rises to +5, with some rain expected later.
Sunday, 1 March 2020
March 1 - Nice!
Today is Day 70 of skiing this season. (Remarkable, considering that there was almost no skiing in January)
It looks like today could be a near-perfect ski day: clear skies, no wind, comfortable temperature, and perfect snow. The trails are groomed and in good shape. I did some touch-up grooming on a few drifted sections late yesterday afternoon.
The one problem with today will be the predicted temperature. Forecast high is +1, which will occur at about noon and throughout the afternoon. My suggestion would be to come as early as possible, and get your skiing done in the morning, when it's still below freezing.
UPDATE: If you haven't been out to ski yet today, then you've missed your best opportunity. The golden hour of perfect snow has passed, as the temperature has reached 0, and the snow is beginning to get sticky. You will also notice significant difference in glide between sunny places and shady ones.
It looks like today could be a near-perfect ski day: clear skies, no wind, comfortable temperature, and perfect snow. The trails are groomed and in good shape. I did some touch-up grooming on a few drifted sections late yesterday afternoon.
The one problem with today will be the predicted temperature. Forecast high is +1, which will occur at about noon and throughout the afternoon. My suggestion would be to come as early as possible, and get your skiing done in the morning, when it's still below freezing.
UPDATE: If you haven't been out to ski yet today, then you've missed your best opportunity. The golden hour of perfect snow has passed, as the temperature has reached 0, and the snow is beginning to get sticky. You will also notice significant difference in glide between sunny places and shady ones.
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| Trail #10 Field and Forest, earlier this morning |