Some snow, but not enough

 We received some snow overnight, but only about 2 cm. This is not nearly enough to ski on. Trails remain closed.

Waiting for Snow

 As predicted, we lost all of our snow over the weekend. This gave me an opportunity to do some pruning of trees along the ski trails, and to build a small bridge to carry one of the trails over an intermittent watercourse.

There are some flurries in the forecast, but there is no significant snowfall predicted in the foreseeable future.

I will not report again until I have something good to report.

No Skiing today

 We have lost considerable snow since yesterday morning. It's now +2 and will reach +6 later today. There will be no skiing for the next couple of days.

Some New Snow - Briefly

 As predicted, we received 2 to 3 cm of new snow overnight. This new snow is of the packing variety, a bit sticky, so glide is not great.

With a predicted high of +2 today, +6 tomorrow, and +7 on Saturday, I don't think this snow is going to be here very long. It looks like we'll be starting over again from scratch after Sunday.

More of the same

 Conditions are essentially the same today as they were yesterday. We received a few flakes of snow overnight, but not enough to make any difference. We have very thin coverage on the trails, with a few bare spots.

With warm weather coming, starting Friday, it looks like we may lose the little bit of snow we have.

Conditions Unchanged

 There is no new snow to report. With yesterday's high just reaching 0, we may have lost a tiny bit of snow. Our coverage is thin, with some bare spots. Skiing is possible, but certainly not good.

A Tiny Bit More Snow

 We received a mixed bag of precipitation yesterday, including some freezing rain around the middle of the day, and a little bit of snow in the evening. I skied a bit early this morning, and  it was not terrible. Total snow on the ground is 8 to 10 cm. The base is quite wet because the ground is not frozen, and there is a thin layer of ice in there as a result of the freezing rain. Trails have not been groomed.

Glide was not bad this morning, at a temperature of -2. As the temperature rises to near 0 today, it may deteriorate.

In summary: the skiing is not great, but it's possible.

Skiing Not Recommended

 Although we have some snow on the ground, skiing is not recommended. Coverage is very thin, and there are bare patches. No grooming has been done yet.

Some new snow

 It's been an up-and-down week. A couple of days ago, we had just enough snow on the ground that skiing was possible (not good, but possible). Then it turned warm and we lost all of it. Now, snow has returned, and is still falling.

So, once again, skiing is possible. The snow cover is thin: 8 cm of loose powder at most, which packs down to about 2 cm. I don't recommend it, but if you are desperate to ski and you have an old pair of rocks skis, then you could give it a try.

A couple of other things to consider: the temperature is now -1 and will be around 0 for much of the day, so the snow will likely be sticky. Second, the forecast says the snowfall may change to rain during the day, so that wouldn't be very pleasant.

A little bit of snow

 We have received about 3 cm of snow since yesterday afternoon. Not enough to ski on. It looks like we will probably lose it all with warmer weather coming later this week and next weekend.

Getting Ready

Hi folks: Just a note to say that we are getting ready for the upcoming ski season. We do not have snow yet, but it looks like we may get some in the next few days. In the meantime, I am busy putting up signage along the trails, and clearing away broken branches that came down in last week's ice storm.

Disappearing Act

 The two photos below were taken at the same location, two days apart. You can see how much snow we've been losing.

Ski trails are closed.

Trail #3 near north junction of #5. Friday afternoon

Same location, Wednesday afternoon

Trails Are Closed

 We have gotten to the point where there are too many bare spots and patches of glare ice. Skiing is no longer practical.

Trails are closed.

Poor Skiing

 The warm weather is taking its toll. Heavy, wet, slushy snow, bigger and more numerous bare spots. Skiing is just about done for this year.

Typical Spring Skiing

 After yesterday's warmth and sunshine, the snow has re-frozen overnight into a hard icy crust. The temperature today is forecast to rise quickly to about +8, with a chance of rain showers this afternoon. This is typical spring skiing: icy and fast early in the morning, slow and slushy later in the day.

Some thin, or bare spots are developing. It's starting to get very wet at the southwest corner of trail #5.

Deteriorating Conditions

 Warm sunny days are hard on ski trails. We lost some snow yesterday, and a few thin or bare spots are beginning to show up. Skiing is not very good.

More of the Same

 Although we received a little more snow flurry activity yesterday, conditions remain poor. Trails are skiable, but just barely.

Not Good Enough

 We did receive perhaps 3 to 4 cm of new snow since yesterday, but it's not enough to produce decent skiing conditions. I've just been out to give it a try, and it's not much fun. The hard, lumpy, uneven surface of the old snow is just below the soft new powder,  making skiing very difficult. I would not recommend skiing here today.

Ice!

 After yesterday's warmth and rain, the temperature has dropped to -4, and our snow has changed to ice. Skiing is next to impossible. However, there is some hope for tomorrow. There is a possibility that we will get heavy flurries or snow squalls today and tonight, so there may be skiable snow by tomorrow morning.

A Poor Day for Skiing

 This looks like the beginning of the end. Skiing is poor this morning. The snow is very wet, and the structure of the snow is collapsing. It's basically slush. We've lost 10 cm of snow in the past 48 hours, and a few thin spots are starting to show up.

Becoming Icy

 Yesterday's warmth, combined with cool overnight temperatures, has begun to change our powder snow to icy, granular crust. Trail surfaces should get softer as it gets warmer this afternoon. Right now, trails are definitely on the icy side, and very fast.

Variable Conditions

 We still have lots of nice, powder snow. However, we had a lot of wind yesterday, initially from the north and then swinging around to the west in mid-afternoon. Some trails experienced a lot of snow drifting; those with the worst drifting include The Pasture, Mainline at the east end of Southfield, the north leg of Southfield, Northfield, and the top end of North Plateau.

I've considered doing some remedial grooming, but decided against it. The forecast for the next 3 days is for warm temperatures and rain. Given that, doing a lot of grooming today would seem to be a waste of time and fuel.

Skiing this morning will range from fair to good. Snow will start to deteriorate this afternoon as the temperature hits +3 under sunshine.

I plan to tap my maple trees this afternoon, so you may see me working along the Hockleycrest or Westside trails.

Noon Update: I was just out for a short ski. Conditions are still pretty good; snow is predominantly still powdery in texture. However, the temperature is just reaching 0, and in the sunny places, snow is starting to become a bit moist and sticky. If you find that your skis are sticking, or accumulating caked-on clumps of snow, you may need a product such as the one pictured below. This is just one of several brands that are available. I've used it, and it works.

Rex liquid glide wax

Good Skiing

 Conditions on the trails are very good again this morning. There is a tiny bit of new powder over a packed base, giving a soft, silky feel, and good glide.

It is cooler than what we've gotten used to: currently -8 with a brisk north wind. Dress accordingly.

Based on the weather forecast, this might be our last day of really good conditions.

Noon update: It's a beautiful sunny day out there, but still cool  (which is good for the snow). I've reset the track on some of the central trails. With the north wind blowing, there is some drifting of snow on the open fields at the north end.

Black Cherry trail this morning

More Snow

 It seems like we are getting January's snow in March. Starting yesterday afternoon, we have received about 5 cm of new snow, and flurries will likely continue through today. Right now, with a temperature of -5, skiing is very good.

I will begin grooming after breakfast. The only concern today is that the temperature may reach 0 this afternoon, so the snow may become a bit sticky. Skiing will be best this morning.

11 a.m. update: Trails have been groomed with the light rubber comb. Some trails in the central area have been track-set. Although there wasn't a lot of new snow to work with, the track went in pretty well. There is light snow flurry activity right now; temperature -1. Skiing is very good.

The Ash Grove trail, showing set track

 

Further update at noon. The new-fallen snow has become very sticky, as the temperature is now sitting at 0. You may need a glide-enhancing anti-stick wax on your skis. Otherwise, you may end up with big clumps of packing snow stuck to the bottom of your ski.

Another nice day

 Ski conditions remain good today. We have good coverage, and the snow is still powdery. I will do some grooming to tidy up trails that were last groomed Friday night.

9:30 a.m. update: Touch-up grooming is done. Skiing is good.

Improved Conditions

 We received about 8 cm of new snow yesterday. This has given us just enough soft powder on top of our old firm base to produce comfortable skiing conditions. I groomed part of the network last night; those trails will have just a little fresh snow over a packed base. I will begin grooming the rest at 6:30 this morning. There will be no set track, as the new snow is not deep enough.

At the current temperature of -6, this snow is giving nice glide. Conditions should be good all day today.

8:30 a.m. Update: All trails have been groomed, either last night or this morning. Skiing is very good. These conditions are likely to last only a couple of days, so enjoy them while you can.

Mainline trail, toward the north end, 8 a.m.

Hoping for New Snow

 Skiing is still poor right now due to icy conditions. However, both Environment Canada and the Weather Network are predicting a snowfall of about 7 cm starting later today. If that happens, then conditions should be much better tomorrow.

Poor Skiing

 Poor skiing conditions continue here, as we seem to be locked into a pattern of sunny afternoons with a bit of melting, followed by cool nights. The result is a very icy, crusty surface on the trails. It's almost impossible to ski on this stuff.

There may be a bit of hope for improvement: The Weather Network is calling for a snowfall of about 5 cm on Friday, overnight into Saturday. We'll have to wait and see if it happens.

Still Icy

 Conditions are still about the same on the trails. Although we have lots of snow, it has gone through several freeze/thaw cycles and is therefore very crusty. Skiing under these conditions is not fun, and not safe.

I do not recommend skiing here today.

Very Icy

 Another warm day yesterday, followed by a cool night, has made the trails very icy. I may try my scarifying groomer, The Piranha, this morning but I'm not optimistic about the results.

Trail surfaces might soften up a bit later on, if the temperature goes above 0.

Skiing is NOT recommended today.

Update: I've been over a  few trails with multiple passes of the Piranha, and my original recommendation still stands: Don't ski here today. The grooming made a slight improvement, but it's still pretty awful out there.

Rapid Transformation

 Despite our abundance of snow, ski conditions are a bit difficult this morning. The deep powder that we were celebrating 24 hours ago was quickly transformed by sunshine and warm temperatures yesterday afternoon. A little bit of melting, followed by an overnight freeze, has left us with an icy, crunchy base. We've received 1 or 2 cm of fresh snow overnight, but this has not been helpful, as the temperature is right on 0, and the new snow is sticky. Glide is poor right now. Ski conditions may improve later on, as the temperature will reach about +3 this afternoon.

Snow!!!!

 We have lots of new snow. I have a snow-measuring stick out in my yard. Yesterday, it showed 30cm of snow on the ground. This morning it says 50cm. So that's 20 cm of snow since 8 p.m. last night.

If you like "back-country" skiing in deep powder, today is for you. I will start grooming right after breakfast, but with this much snow, it will take quite a while to pack it all. Even after one pass, the surface will still be soft.

11:30 a.m. Update: All trails have been packed with at least one pass. The more challenging hills have had 2 or 3 passes. I will not be setting a track, as the temperature has gotten a bit warm, and the snow is now of the packing variety. Setting a track in this kind of snow would result in a hard, icy rut when the temperature drops again.

Trail #1 near the north junction of #3

Not so Good

 Yesterday's warmth, combined with this morning's -8 temperature, has made the trails quite icy. The snow has definitely transitioned to a crunchy, granular consistency. It looks like it will not go above freezing today, so trails will remain icy. Skiing will be difficult.

A major winter storm is coming through tonight, so conditions will probably be much different tomorrow.

Still Good

 Our temperature yesterday reached a high of +1, so there was a bit of melting and the snow started a transition toward a granular texture. However, for the most part, the snow is still quite powdery, and ski conditions are still good. It's going to go above freezing again today, so the snow will become a bit wet and sticky.

The next couple of days look like a good news/bad news story. We may have a significant snowfall on Friday, followed immediately by a very warm Saturday. We will have to wait and see how this plays out.

Good Skiing

 Yesterday's snow groomed up nicely, and skiing remains very good this morning. The temperature yesterday topped out at -1, so the snow has not transformed from powder to granular.

Skiing will be best this morning, with the temperature below freezing. This afternoon, it's likely to be above 0, and snow may become heavy and sticky.

New Snow!

 We've received about 8 cm of new snow overnight. It looks like we got lucky and avoided the freezing rain that was also predicted.

I will start grooming right after breakfast. Skiing will be good this morning. By afternoon, the temperature may get up around 0 and the snow may get a bit sticky.

10:30 a.m. Update: All trails have been rolled and combed, and central area trails were track-set. Conditions are very good. Temperature is still holding at -1, which is better than 0 or +1. It's a bit windy, so there is some drifting on open-field trails in the north end.

Trail #3 this morning

A Slight Deterioration

 Ski conditions are not quite as good as they were, due to two factors. First, we had a lot of skier and walker traffic on the trails over the weekend. Second, the temperature reached 0 yesterday afternoon, so snow crystals have started a transformation from powder toward granular. Overall, the snow is still fairly soft, and most trails still offer good skiing. However, the more heavily trafficked trails have become a bit hard-packed and lumpy.

We are expecting a snowfall starting late this afternoon, accompanied by strong winds. Estimates vary on how much snow will come; some say 2 to 4 cm, while others put it around 10 cm. This event may include some ice pellets and/or freezing rain. We'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to find out.

I will not groom today. There is no point in doing it just before a snowfall.

Still Nice

 A lot of people were out enjoying the trails yesterday. In the strong sunshine of the afternoon, we began to have a little bit of melting on the snow surface, even though the air temperature was -5. However, the snow texture is still predominantly powdery as we begin today, so ski conditions are good.

According to the forecast, the temperature will reach 0 briefly around noon today, so the snow might become a bit heavy and sticky.

I will do a small amount of grooming this morning, to tidy up a couple of areas at the north end.

Trail #3 yesterday

10 a.m. Update: I've done some grooming at the north end, and I tried something new. I packed a new trail across the north field, from the SW corner where it's high, to the NE corner where it's much lower. If you're in that area, give it a try; I think it may be a nice downhill run.

On the way home, I re-packed the Pasture trail (#9) to repair some of the many places where people have crashed.

Good Skiing Continues

 There is a bit of new snow coming down right now; it may amount to a couple of cm by the time it's done later this morning. Skiing conditions are very good on the trails. The grooming I did on Thursday, with a bit of touch-up grooming yesterday morning, is still standing up well, as there hasn't been too much skier traffic on it yet. Also, fortunately, there have been very few walkers on the trails.

With a forecast high of -3, today should be a very good day for skiing.

I have one request: if you must take off your skis and walk for any reason, please walk along the edge of the trail, not in the middle. Try to leave the nice smooth groomed surface for others to enjoy.

Noon Update: Light snowfall has continued all morning. I've gone over the whole system with a light rubber comb, and then reset tracks in the central area. Unfortunately, we have had quite a number of walkers through this morning, and some trail sections have been trampled. Nevertheless, skiing is still very good.

Proof that people do not obey signs. The left side was deliberately packed so that walkers would not have a reason to walk on the ski track.

Trail #12, Southfield, this morning

Nice Skiing - Finally

 All our trails were groomed yesterday and are still in great shape today. We had a little bit of freezing rain yesterday afternoon, but it did not affect the snow quality. We also got a light dusting of fresh powder overnight.

The glide is a bit slow this morning (temperature -12) but should improve as the day warms up to -8. Either today or tomorrow should be excellent days to ski.

Abundant Snow

 We have received about 15 cm of new snow. I will be starting to groom as soon as it's light enough outside.

10:15 a.m. Update: All trails have been rolled and combed. Skiing is very good. After a brief coffee break, I will go back out and set track in the central section.

Noon Update: Central trails have been track-set. Skiing is excellent.

Trail #3 just west of Central Park #6

Snowfall has Started

 Our snowfall has begun. So far, we've received about 2 to 3 cm of light fluffy snow. The main body of heavier snow is expected after 5 p.m. this afternoon. I will be grooming tomorrow morning.

Waiting for the Storm

 Conditions here are basically the same as yesterday: snow coverage is poor, and the little snow we have is very icy. Hopefully, that will begin to change tomorrow, as a major storm is set to pass through. It now looks like the snowfall will be mostly Wednesday night into Thursday. Stay tuned.

Very Poor Skiing

Yesterday was a beautiful looking day, with sunshine and a high of +5. The result on our ski trails is much worse conditions. Prior to yesterday's warmth, we had a thin snow base that was just firm enough to support some weight, but just soft enough to permit limited skiing. Now we've lost some of that base, and what's left is very hard and icy. Skiing is near impossible.

But there is hope on the horizon. It appears we will get a significant snowfall on Wednesday and overnight into Thursday. If it comes, I will be ready. 

Another Mild Day

 Another difficult day, as the temperature is forecast to reach +5. Hopefully, we will not lose all of the little base we have on the trails right now.

Skiing will not be good today.

It looks like we may get a good snowfall on Wednesday/Thursday. Let's hope the forecast is correct this time.

Slight Improvement

 I skied briefly this morning, for the first time in over a week. The 2 cm of snow we received yesterday has made it just possible to ski. This is NOT good skiing. The new powder is on top of either bare ground or old icy crust, depending on location. Skiing under these conditions should only be undertaken by very good skiers using rock skis. Hills should be avoided.

I have removed the Trail Closed signs that I had posted around the SW corner of trail #5 because of flooding. This area has now drained. It is still covered with ice, with a couple cm of snow on top, but there is no longer liquid water underneath.

I do not recommend skiing here today.

A Little New Snow

 It's definitely colder outside, and we've received about 1 cm of new snow. But we'll need a lot more than this before we can start skiing again.

Disappearing Act

 With the warm temperatures we've been having, snow is disappearing fast. It looks like there will be a return to colder temperatures next week, but will there be any snow? Time will tell.

No skiing today.

Is Spring Here?

 With blue skies, sunshine, and a high temperature of +7, yesterday was a beauty day. But it didn't help us in our attempt to retain the little bit of snow we still have.

Essentially, we have spring skiing conditions: each morning it's hard, icy and fast; in the afternoons when the temperature rises, we have slow and slushy conditions. And every day, we lose a little bit more snow. It's not my idea of fun.

The weather forecast says this pattern will continue for at least another week. The long range forecast says the temperature will drop to below normal toward the end of the month, with a possible significant snowfall around the 25th. But that's a long way off, and cannot be relied on.

Still Bad

 Conditions have not improved on the trails. It is still very icy, and part of trail #5 is under water. Skiing is not recommended.

Still Ice

 Our trails are extremely icy. Please do not ski here today.

Ice

 It did not get as warm yesterday as the forecast predicted, but it still reached +4. We received 35mm of rain. Surprisingly, we still have snow on the ground, but it is very, very icy.

Skiing is virtually impossible.

In addition to ice, we have at least one section of trail that is flooded. See photo below, taken at the SW corner of trail #5.

Difficult Conditions

 After yesterday's high of +4, the temperature has dropped to 0 this morning. So, the soft, wet, packing snow of yesterday afternoon has become icy crust. Conditions are very difficult (almost impossible) this morning.

We are expecting a period of freezing rain this morning, followed by rain, with a high of +9. This is definitely not a good day to ski.

Losing Snow

Yesterday's high temperature was +5. We lost some snow, and bare spots are appearing in some places.

When I look at the long range forecast, I see a steady string of above-freezing temperatures. It doesn't look very promising for a return to good skiing. 

Poor skiing continues

 Skiing is still poor, due to icy conditions on the trails. Yesterday, I tried a little bit of grooming with my Piranha ice scarifier. It made a slight improvement, but the skiing was still poor. Not fun.

Today's forecast does not offer much hope: freezing rain, changing to rain, with a high of +3.

Very poor skiing

 Yesterday's high of +2, combined with colder temperatures overnight, have left us with very icy conditions. According to the forecast, it will stay below freezing all day today, so the icy crust will remain.

Skiing is almost impossible today.

Warmer weather is here

 There has been a lot of blowing and drifting the past 2 days, so many trails are covered by fairly deep powder. It gives the feeling of back-country skiing in some places.

Right now, the snow is still dry and powdery. However, by mid-morning it will probably be above freezing, and the snow will begin to get moist and sticky.

Transitioning

 Today will be a day of transition. We're starting out cold, at -21, but by this afternoon it should be a comfortable -7. Tomorrow, we may be up above freezing. So, today may be the better day for skiing. There is still plenty of snow on the trails. That will probably change on Tuesday, as the temperature will reach +7. Ugh!

Very cold!

 As I write this, it's -19 outside. The forecast high is -14. Skiing will still be OK, but the glide will be slow.

Warmer weather (probably too warm) is coming. Looks like Saturday will be a nice day for skiing. By Sunday, it may be above freezing, and that's never good news for a XC skier.

Still Good

 With occasional snow flurries and steady below-freezing temperatures, the trail conditions continue to be pretty good, in spite of the fact that I have been unable to groom. Hopefully, my mechanical problems will be resolved by the weekend.

And Still More Snow

 Our total snowfall yesterday was 10 cm. As I mentioned yesterday, I have a problem with the grooming equipment, so I will be unable to groom this new snow. However, with this fresh powder over the previously packed base, the skiing should be good.

More Snow

 We have received about 5 cm of new snow overnight, and the snowfall is forecast to continue until this afternoon. So, we will have beautiful powder snow to ski in today.

Unfortunately, I am having some mechanical issues with my grooming equipment, so this snow will not get groomed. I expect it will take about a week to get things resolved. Until then, there will be no grooming.

Fortunately, with all this fresh powder, and the continuous below-zero temperatures that are forecast for the next week, ski conditions should remain good, even without grooming.

A Little New Snow

 We received about 2 cm of new snow overnight, just enough to fill in the tracks that I set yesterday. There was also been some snow falling out of trees onto the trail, and a bit of drifting. I will try to groom the entire network this morning.

All trails are open, and skiing is good.

11:30 a.m. update:  I've touched up the grooming on the entire network. Lots of skiers out there enjoying themselves. Skiing is very good everywhere, except a few spots on open fields toward the north end. We've been getting some drifting there, and that's impossible to stay ahead of. There's plenty of snow; it's just a bit hard seeing the groomed trail, and you will be in ankle deep powder momentarily.

Good skiing!

 We received about 1 cm of new snow overnight, on top of the 20+ that we got Wednesday. All trails were groomed yesterday, and skiing is very good.

I will do some touch-up grooming this morning.

9:30 update: Track-set trails in the central area have been tidied up. The photos show the results. A little sunshine doesn't hurt either.

Trail #12 - Southfield

Trail #10 Field and Forest

Yes!

 For once, a snowstorm that lived up to its advance billing! We received about 20 cm of new snow yesterday and overnight. 

Trails are open, but it's hard work out there right now, because of the depth of powder snow. I will start grooming right after breakfast.

Noon update: All trails have been groomed with the roller and snow comb. Track setting was done in the central area. Skiing is very good.

Trail #5 after track-setting this morning

Expecting Snow

 We had persistent flurries yesterday, which left about 2 cm of new snow on the ground. I skied  this morning, for the first time in over a week; it was not good skiing, but it was tolerable on smooth trails with grass underneath. It would still not be feasible on the rougher trails, where rocks, roots and tree stumps lurk just below the snow surface. So, for today, trails remain closed.

Forecasters are predicting a significant snowfall today, beginning about noon and continuing overnight. If they are correct, then we should have at least 10 cm of new snow by tomorrow morning.

Heading in the Right Direction

 We received about 1 cm of new snow overnight. It's still not enough for skiing, but we are heading in the right direction. A larger snowfall is predicted for tomorrow. If we could get 10 cm, then we would be back in business!

For today, trails remain closed.

The Ground is White!

 The ground may be white, but that doesn't mean we can go skiing. Yesterday's snowfall matched the weatherman's prediction - between 2 and 3 cm. Unfortunately that's not enough to provide for safe and enjoyable skiing.

Trails remain closed.

I'm looking forward to a snowfall on Wednesday, which the Weather Network now says will be 10 to 15 cm.

A little snow

 It has begun snowing here at Hockleycrest during the past hour. I do not expect this snowfall to create skiable conditions, but it may provide a base that we can build on.

Trails remain closed, but at least it looks like we are making progress now.

Still Closed

 No new snow to report, so trails remain closed. We're hoping for a snowfall of 2 to 4 cm tomorrow. It probably won't be enough, but it might get us started in the right direction. A bigger snowfall is forecast for next Wednesday. Let's hope it actually happens.

No Snow

 Yesterday, we received zero snow. Freezing drizzle instead. No skiing.

Waiting

 Well, the weatherman has offered us a mixed bag of precipitation today, but so far nothing has happened. Looks like there might be more freezing rain than snow. As always, we have to wait and see.

Right now, trails are closed, as there is virtually no snow on them.

Hoping for snow

 Most of our snow has melted. Yesterday's high was +3, and it's going to remain above 0 for most of today as well. They are predicting snow for tomorrow, but only about 5 cm, which would not be enough to get us back on skis again.

Getting Worse, not better

 It's been nice to see the sun over the past 2 days, but it hasn't helped to get us back to skiable conditions. We've been losing snow, due to the warmth of the sunshine. Our already thin snow cover has become even thinner, and bare spots are developing.

We have a couple of warm days ahead on Tuesday and Wednesday, which will do more damage. There is a potential snowfall on Thursday; we 'll have to wait and see the results of that.

Trails remain closed.

Still Closed

 Ski trails continue to be closed. We actually lost a little bit of snow yesterday. Even though the air temperature never went above -5, the sun was so strong yesterday afternoon that it was melting snow in some areas.

Ski Trails Closed - Insufficient Snow

 We received a tiny bit of new snow overnight, but it is still not enough. In general, there is about 5 cm, but many places are much thinner than that.

Sorry, no skiing today.

Disappointed Again

 Well, the storm which, on Tuesday, was predicted to bring over 20cm of snow has actually given us less than 5 cm. Although it is still snowing, the weather radar shows that the snowfall is almost finished.

This is NOT sufficient to make skiing safe and enjoyable. The ski trails remain closed.

Is Snow Coming?

 It depends on which forecast you look at, but there might be some snow coming. Environment Canada suggests a small snowfall on Thursday evening, but The Weather Network thinks it will be about 15 cm Thursday, followed by 2 to 4 cm Friday. Both agree that the weekend will be cool and clear.

I've been around long enough to know that you can't trust weather forecasts. But if the snow comes, I will be ready.

Still Closed

 In my post of December 30, I said I would not post any new reports until we have snow. Well, it's been over a week, and I thought I would provide a brief update.

After 10 days of mild weather, there is virtually no snow left on the trails. The weather has turned a little bit cooler, and we've had a few light flurries, but not nearly enough snow for skiing. The weather forecast says we may get some measurable snow toward the end of the coming week; but that will apparently be followed by more warm temperatures, so things don't look very promising.