Conditions remain the same on our trails: about 1 cm of ice on the bottom, with about 1 cm of powder snow on top. This is not enough to ski on, but should make a decent base when we finally get a real snowfall.
The forecast is still calling for snow on the evening of New Year's Day, and again on Wednesday. Let's hope it's right.
There has been no real change in our ski conditions. Yesterday was mild (+1) with a little drizzle. So ski conditions remain poor.
I'm looking ahead at 2 potentially significant snowfalls: one Saturday night, and another next Thursday. If these turn out as currently predicted, then we could be skiing again in a few days.
From a skier's perspective, things are not looking good. We got a little bit of new snow last night, but less than 1 cm. I tried a short ski outing this morning, and conditions are poor. There is plenty of ice just below the light coating of powder snow.
Looking ahead at the weather forecast, I see mild temperatures continuing over the next 4 days. So there's not likely to be any improvement until after the New Year.
Our snowfall yesterday amounted to only about 2 cm of snow: not enough to restore skiable conditions on our trails.
Trails will remain closed until we get more snow.
We have not received any new snow yet, and consequently trails remain unskiable. The forecast calls for 5 cm of snow today; however, it is to be followed by some freezing rain or drizzle. It is impossible to predict what conditions will be like after that.
Over the past 2 days, we've lost most of our snow. What remains is an icy crust, with many bare spots. So, no skiing again today.
We are expecting some snow tomorrow. Depending on which forecast you look at, there might be as much as 5 cm. If that happens, then we might be back in business. Only time will tell.
As I write this, I've just come in from a short ski, the temperature is +1 and it's raining. Today is not going to be a ski day. You would be better off to stay home and eat turkey.
It's going to remain warm, with possible rain or drizzle, for the rest of the day. We will definitely lose some of our meagre snow base as a result.
The skiing was quite nice yesterday, and we received about 2 cm of new snow last night. That's the good news.
The bad news is that this is not likely to last. Our temperature is forecast to rise to +3 today, and continue rising to +6 by tomorrow morning, with chance of rain.
So, if you want to get in a final ski before Santa drops in tonight, I suggest you get here as early as you can this morning, before the temperature reaches 0. I will not be grooming today.
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| Mainline yesterday, near #12 |
We received about 4 cm of new snow yesterday. I groomed the central trails last night, and even managed to put in a shallow track. I will pack the southern and northern portions of the network this morning.
So, conditions have improved a bit, but our snow coverage is still thin. Rock skis are recommended. Ski with caution, especially on the more difficult hills. Rocks and tree roots are lurking just below the snow surface.
Today looks like a nice day to ski, with current temperature -9 and a predicted high of -3. Things are not looking so good for tomorrow and Saturday: above-freezing temperatures and chance of rain.
11 a.m. Update: all trails have now been packed with the roller and comb. Here are a couple of photos I took while grooming.
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| Trail #18 Roller Coaster |
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| View from the Grooming machine - trail #12 |
Yesterday's high temperature was again around the freezing mark, but we didn't lose much snow. This morning, we have a little bit of new snow to compensate for any losses of the past 2 days.
The forecast says we will have more flurries today, with the possibility of squalls this afternoon and evening, and possibly up to 5 cm of new snow. Let's hope it's correct.
Our trails are still skiable on thin snow cover. I won't be doing any grooming until we have more snow to work with.
Conditions on our trails remain about the same: thin but tolerable. Yesterday's high temperature was +1, but there was no noticeable snow loss. Today's predicted high is 0 (currently sitting at -2)
All trails were packed, either yesterday or the day before. There is not much more I can do until we get more snow. And it looks like we may get some tomorrow.
If you come, bring your old rock skis, and ski with caution.
Today, hopefully, we'll be holding on to the little bit of snow we have.
Yesterday's skiing was not bad, and I was pleased to see lots of ski tracks on the trails. Unfortunately, lots of stupid, inconsiderate walkers also came yesterday. These people are unable to read and follow simple instructions, such as "Walk on Left; Ski on Right", or "Skiers Only; No Walking". Consequently some of our ski trails have quite a few boot prints on them.
This morning, I will pack the northern trails that were not done yesterday.
The temperature rose overnight, from a low of -12 about 9 p.m. last night, to a current reading of -5. The predicted high for today is +1, so skiing will be best first thing this morning, before the snow starts to get wet and sticky.
Remember to wear your rock skis and to ski with caution, as our snow coverage is thin.
Yesterday's snowfall amounted to about 9 cm, which is just enough to ski on. I have packed all trails in the central area, and will do the south end this morning. The temperature is nice; currently -7.
This is early season skiing; the coverage is thin in many places. Rocks and tree roots are just below the surface. Rock skis are recommended.
9:30 update: I've packed the southern trails and part of the north. There is no grooming north of the north junction of #1 and #3. The hills on Mainline going down to the bridge between #1a and #3, where we have issues with water and rocks, are very thin. Ski with caution.
Here's a photo from the Pasture trail #9.
After Thursday's +15 temperature and winds gusting to 83 km/h, things have settled down, and we currently have a temperature of -3. Snow is predicted for later today; they are saying 2 to 4 cm, but we can hope for more.
I will let you know when our trails are skiable.
I haven't posted anything lately, because there has been very little to report. We have had continuous mild weather, and there is no snow on the ground.
Last Saturday night, there was a powerful wind storm, which knocked down numerous trees. Since then, I've cleared 11 fallen trees from our trails.
Today is very mild (currently +10) and again windy. Our best hope for snow comes on Saturday, when 5 cm is predicted. After that, it looks like we may get an extended period of colder temperatures.
DO THE SNOW DANCE!
The little bit of snow we've had on the ground over the past few days is about to disappear. The temperature right now is 0 and it's likely to be +10 by this time tomorrow, accompanied by rain.
We will have to wait a bit longer before we have good skiing.
We received about 5 cm of snow last night. It's a beginning, but not really enough to ski on. Looking ahead in the forecast, we have 3 warm days coming, starting on Friday night, so I don't think this snow is going to last.
Our weather today is a bit like being on a roller coaster. We started out yesterday at a temperature of -3, and in the afternoon and early evening we received close to 10 cm of snow. However, by 8 p.m. last night, the temperature was above 0 and the snow had changed to rain. Temperatures rose to +6 overnight, and about half the snow has melted. We expect the melting to continue until about 4 p.m. today, when a cold front will come through with strong winds, and more snow. Accumulations might be significant by tomorrow morning.
We might be skiing tomorrow; we'll have to wait and see!
We have lost almost all our snow. Our current temperature is +4 and it's going to continue warm all day.
There will be no skiing until we get a significant snowfall.
Today does not look like a ski day. We lost a bit of snow yesterday, as the temperature reached +1 and there was some melting from the bottom up, as the ground is still unfrozen beneath the snow.
The forecast high for today is +4, so conditions will only get worse.