Much Better

 Yesterday's storm did not bring us the predicted 10 cm of new snow. Nevertheless, the 5 cm we did receive has made ski conditions much better than before. The snow we got was mixed with ice pellets, so it is much denser than ordinary, fluffy powder snow, which means that on ski trails it behaves as if it is deeper than the measured amount.

I groomed all the central trails late yesterday afternoon as the snowfall was coming to an end. I will pack the southern and northern trails this morning. I'm not sure if there is enough snow depth to set a track; I will experiment and see how it turns out.

There are still some thin spots under conifers, but these are smaller and much improved.

It looks like these good conditions won't last very long; tomorrow's forecast calls for freezing rain or rain.

Noon Update: All remaining trails have been groomed, and many sections have been track-set. The track went in fairly well in most places. It's very good skiing right now.

Waiting for the Snow

 According to Environment Canada's weather radar, it's already snowing outside. But I've just come in from skiing, and it is not snowing.

As of now, trail conditions remain the same as the past 2 days: thin coverage and a little bit icy. Hopefully that will change later today, as the forecast promises a snowfall of 5 to 10 cm, lasting until about 6 p.m.

8 a.m. Update: No more waiting. Snowfall has started!

Expecting More Snow

 Conditions on the trails this morning are not bad. On a scale from 1 to 10, I would give it a 5.

Most trails are flat packed granular snow. There are some places, maybe 5% to 10% of the network, that are very thin and icy. These are mainly where the trail passes under a dense canopy of conifer trees.

One of my main objectives in grooming yesterday was to create a relatively smooth, flat, firm base for the next snowfall, and in that I think it succeeded. It looks like that next snowfall will be tomorrow, with estimates in the vicinity of 10 cm of snow, possibly mixed with ice pellets.

The temperature outside right now is a comfortable -1, predicted to drop during the day. If you come skiing, be aware that the granular snow is fairly fast, so it will be important to control your speed on downhills.

Back Below Freezing

 After sitting around +1 to +2 for much of yesterday, the temperature has dropped below the freezing mark and is now at -2. According to the forecast, it will continue to drop during the day.

Yesterday morning's new snow has experienced partial melting, a little bit of rainfall, and partial refreezing. Right now, we have a soft crust, which I think can be packed and flattened. I'm going to try some grooming after breakfast and see what the result is.

Noon Update: I've groomed virtually the entire network and the result is better than I expected. Most trails are a flat packed granular surface. There are a few thin icy spots, mainly where the trail is under a dense canopy of conifer trees. One of the worst areas is right next to the parking lot at the 5 Sideroad.

There is one trail section that is blocked by a fallen tree: #1 Mainline right at the north end, just before it reaches Airport Road. I will clear it this afternoon. In the meantime, this can be bypassed by using the northwest portion of #17 Northfield.

1:30 p.m. Update. The tree blocking the Mainline trail has been cleared. All trails are open.

A Little New Snow

 We have received close to 5 cm of new snow overnight. This snow is moist and packing, as the temperature is very close to 0. According to the forecast, it will reach +4 later today, with possible rain or drizzle. Cooler temperatures are predicted for tomorrow, so that may give us an opportunity to groom. But we will have to wait and see what we have at the end of today.

Right now, skiing is difficult, as the snow tends to stick on the bottom of your skis.

Not Much Change

 Trail conditions remain about the same. We have 3 to 5 cm of powder snow over a hard icy base.

Skiing is possible but difficult, and not very enjoyable.

The weather forecast says we might have snow squalls today and we might get 5 cm of new snow, but you cannot rely on that.

Skiable, but not great

It's now possible to ski on our trails, but conditions are not great. We received some new snow yesterday. There is 3 to 5 cm of new powder over a hard, crusty base; this is not very comfortable to ski on.

I don't think I will try grooming, as it's not likely I can make any real improvement. Also, the weather forecast over the next few days calls for more above-freezing temperatures, so our efforts would probably be wasted anyway. 

A Slushy Mess

 We have lost about half our snow pack over the past 2 days. The temperature has returned to 0 and light snowfall has begun. As the temperature continues to drop, and winds pick up, we are expecting snow squalls with 5 to 10 cm of accumulation. However, that is not a guarantee of a return to good skiing.

Today's new snow will be falling on very wet, saturated old snow that will not have frozen again. It's likely that the bottom layer right next to the ground will remain wet and unfrozen for some time, until the cold can get to it.

I would definitely not recommend skiing today.

Not a Good Ski Day

 We lost a little bit of snow yesterday, although we still have good coverage. However, the snow has changed from powder to an icy, crusty consistency which is not very nice to ski on.

The temperature will reach +7 this afternoon, so we will certainly lose more snow, and it will be quite slushy out there. Not a great day to ski.

Warm

 The temperature as I write this is 0, and the forecast says it will reach +4 later today. So there will definitely be a change in skiing conditions.

Right now, it's not bad skiing out there, but as the temperature rises, we will begin to lose snow, and control on hills will become more difficult as the snow becomes wet, heavy and packing.

The Times, They Are a-Changing

 It looks like today will be our last day of really nice skiing for a while, as the temperature is set to go up to plus 4 for the next 2 days.

Conditions on the trails are very good right now. I did some grooming yesterday afternoon, tidying up trampled areas on the southern trails, and re-packing some drifted sections around the South Field.

Temperature today is comfortable, and the glide is good. Enjoy it while you can. 

Good Skiing Continues

 Conditions on our trails continue to be very good, with the exception of a few places that have been drifted in by the wind. We picked up about 1 cm of snow in flurries yesterday and overnight. There is a chance of more flurries today.

The temperature is not bad: currently -10 with forecast high of -8, and the glide is good.

A Chilly Morning

 It's a cool -14 outside this morning, so layer up in appropriate clothing when you come to ski today.

The skiing is still very good. We had a light dusting of new snow overnight. There were some badly drifted sections of trail on the open fields yesterday afternoon, so I ran the groomer over them, and also set track in a couple of areas that had not been done before. However, if the wind keeps blowing the snow will continue drifting.

The forecast is calling for possible snow squalls today. Right now, the wind is light from the west, but it may swing around to the north and strengthen, which could bring lake-effect snow our way.

A Little More Snow (Again)

 We have received about one centimeter of new snow overnight in flurries, and light snowfall is continuing. The forecast calls for flurries and possible squalls today, which might bring larger amounts of snow. Time will tell.

In the meantime, skiing is very good. All trails were groomed over the past 2 days and they are in great shape.  There are a few spots in open field areas that have drifted in. Temperature is a very comfortable -5 and it looks like it will stay around there all day.

Very Good Skiing

 We have very good skiing this morning at a temperature of -9. All trails were groomed with the roller yesterday morning, and then most of the central trails were done again with track-setting where appropriate.

We had a brisk west wind yesterday afternoon, which resulted in some drifting in open-field areas, particularly the east end of Southfield, and the east edge of Northfield. I will try to tidy these areas up this morning, to restore a visible groomed trail.

Today is Day 15 of skiing this season. Based on a quick review of my journal, I believe this is the earliest date that we have achieved 15 days of skiing (and quite good skiing too). Enjoy it while it lasts. Some warmer weather will be moving in next Wednesday, with possible rain, so conditions could deteriorate quickly if that happens.

Northfield, during grooming this morning

Nice!

 The snowfall has ended. We received a couple more centimetres after I groomed late yesterday afternoon. Total snow on the ground now is about 23 cm.

I will be grooming the entire network this morning. Once that is done, skiing will be very good.

The parking lot has been plowed.

10:15 a.m. Update: All trails have been groomed at least once with the roller/comb. Skiing is very good. After a short coffee break, I will head out with the track-setter to set some tracks.

And more snow today

Yesterday's snowfall amounted to only 2 or 3 cm, but it's snowing again this morning, and this time it's predicted to be 5 to 10 cm.

I groomed almost all trails late yesterday afternoon. The main purpose of this was to create a well-packed flat base for today's snow. That will make the next grooming easier and ensure better results.

Today's snowfall is forecast to continue through most of the day, so the next grooming will probably be tomorrow morning. The temperature is getting close to 0 (currently -2) so let's hope it doesn't go too high. 

5 p.m. Update: The snowfall has just about stopped. It delivered about 10 cm of new snow - just about what the forecast predicted. The temperature did not go above 0, so we have nice powder snow on the ground. 

I have been out with the roller/comb and have packed almost all the trails in the central section of the network. The rest of the trails will be groomed tomorrow morning.

Snow Coming Today

 Skiing conditions remain the same here: fair to good, with thin coverage everywhere.

We are expecting snow this afternoon, and more snow tomorrow. I will groom after the snowfall has ended.

A Cool Morning

 It is minus 17 here this morning, which is a bit cool, but it will be sunny and -8 later on.

Yesterday's snowfall amounted to about 2 cm; a nice little top dressing on the existing base, but not enough to make a big difference, and not enough to warrant grooming. Skiing is still fairly good.

It looks like we might get a bigger snowfall Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. If it comes, we'll be ready.

A Little More Snow Coming?

 According to Environment Canada, we are going to get some snow this morning. Possibly 5 cm.

A few flakes have begun to drift down, so let's see whether this amounts to anything. Yesterday's predicted snowfall turned out to be just a light dusting - probably less than a cm.

In any case, skiing is still not bad for early December. I did a bit of grooming yesterday afternoon to clean up some areas where a lot of hikers had walked. While doing that, I also refreshed the north-south trails in the central part of the network.

Temperature is comfortable and good for skiing; currently -5.

A Little New Snow Expected

 It's warmer this morning - currently -4, and we are expecting a little bit of new snow. This will probably be only a couple of centimeters. I will wait until I see how much snow we get before deciding about grooming.

Trails are skiing nicely, considering how early it is in the season, and the limited snow depth.

A little bit more snow is in the forecast for tomorrow as well.

It's Chilly out there

 The current temperature here is -12, but there is no wind, and with proper clothing there is no reason not to ski. The glide is surprisingly good on the trails this morning. The forecast high is a very comfortable -3.

Conditions on the trails remain about the same. We received about 1 cm of new snow in a squall yesterday around the noon hour.

Possible Squalls

Conditions on our trails remain about the same: 10 cm of snow on the ground, all trails packed with 2 to 3 cm of snow base on the trail. There was a light dusting of new snow overnight. There is a possibility we will get snow squalls today. These are highly localized, depending on the wind direction; we might get 5 cm or we might get nothing.

I will do a short grooming run to tidy up a few areas where people have walked.

11 a.m. Update: Some of the trails in the central area have been re-groomed to tidy them up. I also set a very shallow track on some portions. There is not really enough snow depth to set a good track.

A Little Top Dressing

 We received about 1 cm of new snow overnight, which makes a nice top-dressing on our trails. All trails were groomed yesterday. Skiing is nice this morning. Total snow on the ground is about 10 cm.

Cooler and Better

 The temperature has dropped to -9 this morning, and that will make for better conditions for grooming and skiing. I will be out at first light to begin grooming. Hopefully, the south and central trails will be done by 9:30 a.m. This will be roller and snow comb only; no track set yet.

The snow was transformed by yesterday's above-freezing temperature, so it is slightly firm and crusty right now. But once it has been packed by the groomer, it should be quite manageable.

9:30 a.m. Update: All southern trails are groomed. About half the central trails and half the northern trails have also been done. We have 3 trail sections blocked by fallen trees: trail #1a, Mainline at the north end, just west of the intersection with North Plateau (this can be bypassed by taking Plateau Extension), and Hockleycrest right at the north end just before it joins Mainline. These should be cleared this afternoon.

3 p.m. Update: All trails have now been groomed, and fallen trees removed. Skiing is fairly good, for December 1. There are definitely some thin spots, but everything is safe.