Mon. Feb. 27 - still no skiing

Our trails remain mostly bare. There will be no skiing until we receive a significant snowfall - at least 10 cm.

Sunday Feb 26 - No skiing today

I've returned from a week in New Hampshire (where there is still abundant snow) to find that most of the snow on our trails has disappeared. This is not surprising after week of record-breaking warm temperatures. However, not all is lost. Some trail sections still have a little bit of hard-packed snow on them, which will provide a base for new snow when it comes. We've had some flurry activity last night and this morning, so the ground is white, but there is definitely NOT enough snow to ski on.

Remaining base on West Side Story, Feb. 25

February 22 - vacation update

Although it has been warm here in Jackson New Hampshire (around +5 each day) the skiing has been quite good. Groomers go out during the overnight, when the temperature has dropped below freezing. They have an abundance of snow to work with.

Sunday, Feb 19 - taking a holiday

I can't give a first-hand report of conditions today, as I am in Ottawa for the Gatineau Loppet. With yesterday's warm temperature, I suspect we lost a lot of snow, and that will continue through the week. I will be moving on from Ottawa to Jackson New Hampshire for a ski holiday. Jackson has an abundance of snow, an excellent network of trails, and superb grooming.
There will be no reports for Hockleycrest, and no grooming over the next week.

Friday Feb. 17

Ski conditions will be good today. Last chance to enjoy nice snow before the heat wave hits.

Thurs. Feb. 16 - Looking good!

I've just been out skiing the trails, and it is very nice! The weather is gorgeous, with bright sun and a temperature of -3. In spite of warmish temperatures both Monday and Tuesday afternoons, there is not icy crust. There is about 1 to 2 cm of new powder snow over the surface that I groomed on Monday, which is just enough to soften the surface without getting in the way. Conditions should remain very good the rest of today and tomorrow. The weekend looks like a disaster, with temperatures rising to about +7. So, get out and enjoy these beautiful conditions today or tomorrow, before they disappear.

North Plateau trail, just before noon Thursday.

Wed. Feb. 15

Ski conditions were good early yesterday, but it got a little bit too warm in the afternoon, so it got sticky and slow. Now that we're back below freezing, skiing should be fairly good; perhaps a bit crusty and fast. Some flurries are in today's forecast, so if we can get a bit of fresh powder on the surface, that would definitely improve the skiing.
The broken-down groomer was recovered out of the field yesterday afternoon and has gone to the shop for repairs. A short section of #12 and #5 suffered minor damage as a result of towing the ATV out. There will be no grooming until it returns, probably a week or more. It looks like we're going to have a major meltdown this weekend, so grooming may be irrelevant anyway.