No Skiing

 We have lost a lot of snow in the past 3 days. It is no longer practical to ski. Trails are closed.

Very Soft and Wet

 We've lost a lot of snow in the past 24 hours. Yesterday's high was +11 and the lowest it went overnight was +6, so the melting continued with no overnight freeze. Trails are soft and wet; not great skiing. To top it off, we're expecting rain, maybe even a thunder storm.

If I were you, I would stay at home today.

More Spring Skiing

 Ski conditions will be much the same today as yesterday. It's currently -2 and trail surfaces are frozen, hard and fast. By this afternoon, we'll be at +10, so the snow will be soft, wet and heavy. However, there will be a variation in the trail condition, depending on whether you are in sunshine or in deep shade. Trails through shady areas will remain frozen and icy later into the afternoon.

There is a large flooded area on the south west part of trail #5. The entire section from its junction with #6 Central Park to the junction with #23 Black Cherry should be avoided.

Still Icy

 Conditions on the trails are much the same as yesterday. The high temperature yesterday was just +1, so very little melting took place. This morning, it's -7 outside, so the trails are frozen hard.

Today, it's going to be sunny with a high of +7. If you were to come to ski just after the temperature goes above 0, say around noon or 1 p.m., you might find the right combination of a soft surface with a firm base beneath. No guarantee, but it might be tolerable.

We have a few small bare spots, and a flooded section at the south west corner of trail #5 which should be avoided.

More Ice

 After 2 very warm days, in which a lot of snow was lost, colder temperatures have returned. It's currently -8, and will probably only reach -1 today. That means the soft, wet snow has frozen again and our trail surfaces are very icy. Skiing is very difficult under these conditions.

Also, a result of the warmth and sunshine is that a few bare or thin spots have started to show up, and we have a flooded spot at the south-west corner of trail #5. This can be avoided by taking the southern part of #23 Black Cherry through the pine plantation.

I would not recommend skiing today.

Spring Skiing Continues

The temperature did not drop below freezing overnight. It is currently sitting at +6. The snow on the trails is soft, wet and slow. There is a flooded spot at the south-west corner of trail #5. Although I haven't been over there to check, I suspect there is a bare spot at the north-east corner of trail #7, at the crest of the hill near the junction with #4. Other than that, I believe we have complete coverage.

Spring Skiing

 Welcome to spring skiing. Ice in the morning, slush in the afternoon.

The temperature is now sitting at 0, and trail surfaces are frozen, icy, and hard. But by this afternoon, it will be +9. The snow will soften up quickly, becoming wet, heavy and slow.

Not ideal skiing conditions, but if you like sunshine you will have it today.

2 p.m. Update: The temperature is now +10 and the maple sap is running strong. Trails that are in full sun are now soft, wet and slow. But trails in deep shade are still partially frozen, so they are a little firmer and faster. A small pond of meltwater has developed at the SW corner of trail #5. Right now, it's possible to ski around it, but it will get bigger and will soon totally block access.

No Change

 Conditions are much the same today as yesterday. We have 1 to 2 cm of soft snow over a hard icy base. Skiing is very difficult.

We might see some improvement this afternoon, when the temperature rises to above 0 in the sunshine. The trail surfaces will probably soften, providing a slower but more controlled skiing experience.

This is typical "spring skiing". Some people love it, but I'm not very fond of spring skiing.

Still Icy

 I did some test grooming yesterday afternoon, on a few of the central trails. It was not very successful. Even after doing three passes over the same section of trail, skiing conditions were only marginally improved. We have received about 1 cm of new snow overnight, which helps a little bit, but it is not enough.

Conditions on the trails are poor. Skiing is not recommended.

If you want to ski somewhere in the area, I suggest you try Mono Nordic Ski Club which is just west of Hwy. 10 at Monora Park Drive. Or if you're prepared to drive a little further for some really nice skiing, Highlands Nordic, on the 10th Concession near Duntroon would be very good.

Very Icy

 Colder weather has returned (currently -4), and the partially melted snow has re-frozen. Trails are very icy. We did receive a little more new snow yesterday, but it was only 2 or 3 cm and was accompanied by high winds, so it is not uniformly distributed.

Right now, I do not recommend skiing here.

The new parts I need to repair my ATV have arrived, and I will do those repairs this morning. If time allows, I will get out with the groomer and see whether I can pulverize some of this icy crust to produce a skiable surface. But in the meantime, skiing conditions are very poor.

Not A Ski Day

 After a very warm, wet day, the temperature has dropped to -2, and we've received about 1 cm of new snow. Skiing conditions are very difficult today. The base of old snow has partially re-frozen, so it is a soft crust. But this base does not have any structural strength, so it collapses under your ski when you pass over it. Going down even a moderate hill would be dangerous, as there is no effective way to control speed or direction.

I DO NOT RECOMMEND SKIING TODAY.

Weather Roller Coaster

 We are in for a wild ride over the next 24 hours. Currently it's +1 and raining. Rain will continue all day, with a high temperature of +7. Possible thunder storms this afternoon. Then the temperature will start to fall, and will be close to 0 by this time tomorrow. There is a chance of new snow tomorrow morning.

For today, the trails will be soft, wet and slow. The snow structure will collapse beneath your skis. It is possible to ski, but it won't be much fun. With all the rain and melting snow, some places on the trails might become flooded. I haven't seen any flooded spots yet, but it is possible.

Warm Weather Coming

 The temperature is sitting just below 0 right now (6:55 a.m.) so trail conditions are much the same as yesterday: thin loose granular over a hard, icy base. However, the temperature is going to rise to +4 today, with rain expected as well. So our trails will be softening up, and for a little while it may be slower and easier to ski. However, the weather doesn't look very pleasant for skiing.

There will be no grooming today.

Skiable but Challenging - again

 Conditions on the trails are much the same as yesterday. We have a thin layer of loose granular snow over a firm, icy base. It's possible to ski, but care must be taken, especially on hills.

I will not be grooming today. My grooming capability is limited right now as I wait for parts to repair the ATV. Also, it appears we have a couple of warm days coming, so anything I do today is likely to disappear tomorrow.

Skiable, but Challenging

 Trail conditions remain about the same. Yesterday's grooming produced a thin layer of loose granular snow over a firm icy base. It is skiable, but definitely challenging and not nearly as enjoyable as skiing on the powder snow we had just over a week ago. Adding to the challenge today is the temperature: it's -18 outside.

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I have some mechanical issues with the ATV that pulls the grooming equipment. One of the bogey wheels that guides the rubber track on the bottom of the ATV came off while I was grooming yesterday. The bearings of the wheel seized up and the wheel couldn't turn anymore, so it broke off and I found it lying on the trail when I came by for a second pass. This was after I had already replaced 2 of these wheels earlier in the morning. I managed to finish up and get home without that wheel, but I'm reluctant to do any further grooming, in case I get stranded somewhere on the trails. I may try some limited grooming close to home today, to see if I can create some additional loose granular on the trail surface. This will only be on central trails.

If you come to ski today, please be aware that these conditions are difficult. Only very good skiers should attempt skiing today.

Still Icy

 We got some snow yesterday, but not very much; perhaps 2 cm. This was followed by a few hours of above-freezing temperatures last night, and then a flash freeze. As a result, the trails are very icy and fast, with little to no control on hills.

I will go out at 7 a.m. and try some grooming, to see if I can make it skiable; but I'm not very hopeful.

Current temperature is -9, with a brisk NW wind.

Right now, skiing is NOT recommended.

8:45 a.m. Update: I have groomed most of the central trails, and the result is not bad. These are definitely skiable. However, I am unable to groom the rest of the trails, due to a mechanical issue with my ATV. Southern trails, closest to the parking lot, have not been done and will be very challenging to ski. ONLY EXPERT SKIERS SHOULD ATTEMPT THESE, and the biggest hills (like the ones on Mainline and Harmony close to the gazebo) should be avoided.

1 p.m. Update: I did a repair on the ATV and got out to groom all southern trails and a couple of remaining central trails. However, I've encountered another mechanical issue with the ATV and cannot groom the northern trails. Trails that have been groomed today can be skied with caution. Do not attempt any trail that is not freshly groomed.