The forecast is for rain and thaw soon. Please consider staying off the trails while the snow is wet. Spread the word. Compacted wet snow turns to ice that is completely ungroomable and unskiable.
In addition. right now you will easily punch through the thin wet snow to whatever is underneath -- not fun and it might even hurt. Don't do it. Please.
Hopefully, Deep River will remain colder than the rest of the province. I'm holding my breath.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Caution: very thin snow!
The DRXC trail system has now been groomed and trackset except for B-loop, which is too rough for this amount of snow. The grooming has improved the skiing, but the ground is very close to the surface. Based on how often the groomers hit ground, D, R and M have the fewest high spots, perhaps two dozen in total. X and H have more while C and S are ridiculous. The C-loop hazards all tend to be rocks, which grab skis very effectively.
All skate surfaces and set tracks definitely have sand, logs or rocks right at the surface, possibly not very visible. If you see a foot-stool-size lump, e.g. S-loop, there is definitely something hard inside -- not just snow.
S-loop is especially hazardous because of uneven terrain and surface water that is undermining large sections of the trail. Someone broke into one of the puddles that was probably not visible ahead of time.
Especially note that there is a big (enough for a small person to curl up inside) sink hole in the most hazardous possible location on the left side at the bottom of the first S downhill -- bear right as you cross the stream, or fall down ahead of time if necessary. The set track was intended to help skiers to ski past this hole, but the snow is not firming up well and no one should depend on the track. Remember routine trail etiquette -- if you make a sitzmark, FILL IT IN afterward.
All skate surfaces and set tracks definitely have sand, logs or rocks right at the surface, possibly not very visible. If you see a foot-stool-size lump, e.g. S-loop, there is definitely something hard inside -- not just snow.
S-loop is especially hazardous because of uneven terrain and surface water that is undermining large sections of the trail. Someone broke into one of the puddles that was probably not visible ahead of time.
Especially note that there is a big (enough for a small person to curl up inside) sink hole in the most hazardous possible location on the left side at the bottom of the first S downhill -- bear right as you cross the stream, or fall down ahead of time if necessary. The set track was intended to help skiers to ski past this hole, but the snow is not firming up well and no one should depend on the track. Remember routine trail etiquette -- if you make a sitzmark, FILL IT IN afterward.
Friday, December 17, 2010
Deja vu.
We have not seen a foot of snow and the river frozen over at mid-December for many years. What used to happen next was frequent small snowfalls and no significant thaws until March 30. I live in hope.
We knew that the single-track snowmobiles that we purchased would not pack snow as easily as the old double-track machines, so opening trails is going slowly. As of today, Dec 17, there are good tracks on D, R, X and M and a reasonable skating surface on M. H and S are packed and rolled. C and B have not been groomed at all yet because they are the roughest.
The plan is to try to set a track on C and pack B, followed by rolling B and then setting a track on H, S and B. Hopefully, this can be completed before Christmas.
The ground is still very close to your skis, so scratches in your ski bases are a definite hazard. Also, there are wet spots on S and presumably also on R.
Happy skiing and Merry Christmas.
We knew that the single-track snowmobiles that we purchased would not pack snow as easily as the old double-track machines, so opening trails is going slowly. As of today, Dec 17, there are good tracks on D, R, X and M and a reasonable skating surface on M. H and S are packed and rolled. C and B have not been groomed at all yet because they are the roughest.
The plan is to try to set a track on C and pack B, followed by rolling B and then setting a track on H, S and B. Hopefully, this can be completed before Christmas.
The ground is still very close to your skis, so scratches in your ski bases are a definite hazard. Also, there are wet spots on S and presumably also on R.
Happy skiing and Merry Christmas.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
That's all, folks.
Further grooming this season is unlikely without a major snowfall. Soon. Snow will only bear so much traffic and the most used trails, D, R, X, C and M are past their limit. The outer skating trails are probably quite skiable for another day or two of this ridiculous mild weather, but M is so beaten down, dirty and ungroomable that it is not much fun to get out to H and S.
Skiers should beware that the trails will start to collapse soon. For the inexperienced, please know that all of the trails consist of a crust that is bridging lots of dips and hollows filled with weak snow. When the crust gets soft enough, your weight will break it, possibly unexpectedly. You might, for example, get all the way out to a sunny downhill without breaking the crust and then go through on your way down. This year, your ski will most likely go right through to the rocks when the crust breaks.
Some of us would be very happy to see a major snowfall, but not many people in the town sympathize very much. Especially when I am perverse enough to suggest that it is un-Canadian to dislike snow.
Skiers should beware that the trails will start to collapse soon. For the inexperienced, please know that all of the trails consist of a crust that is bridging lots of dips and hollows filled with weak snow. When the crust gets soft enough, your weight will break it, possibly unexpectedly. You might, for example, get all the way out to a sunny downhill without breaking the crust and then go through on your way down. This year, your ski will most likely go right through to the rocks when the crust breaks.
Some of us would be very happy to see a major snowfall, but not many people in the town sympathize very much. Especially when I am perverse enough to suggest that it is un-Canadian to dislike snow.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
For better or for worse
As promised, I waited until I was reasonably sure the groomer would not sink in wet snow, as happened to Brian at PAXC, and then towed a Tenderizer around M and the S/H spur (~5 km), three passes. I attempted to leave the classic "track" alone because I will not likely be able to set another. It does not appear to be enjoyable or much in use.
The skate skiing is much improved from its former condition. Berms from the edges of the Tenderizer were unavoidable and there are many ice cubes in places. As each day warms up, the snow will change from fast, frozen granular with ice-cube patches and hard ruts from yesterday's skaters, to mostly acceptable skating with treacherous frozen sections in the shade, to somewhat slushy sections. Rocks may be very close to or above the surface at any time, where "close" depends on how soft the snow is!
The skate skiing is much improved from its former condition. Berms from the edges of the Tenderizer were unavoidable and there are many ice cubes in places. As each day warms up, the snow will change from fast, frozen granular with ice-cube patches and hard ruts from yesterday's skaters, to mostly acceptable skating with treacherous frozen sections in the shade, to somewhat slushy sections. Rocks may be very close to or above the surface at any time, where "close" depends on how soft the snow is!
Friday, February 26, 2010
'Au naturel' skiing
All of the regular groomers have been away for the past three days. No matter, since all advice and experience dictates that driving machines and groomers on wet snow only makes the skiing worse. Usually much worse.
Hence, the trails are "au naturel" until such time as the snow dries out during several hours of freezing temperatures and we can try to improve things.
Hence, the trails are "au naturel" until such time as the snow dries out during several hours of freezing temperatures and we can try to improve things.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Rock 'n Roll, Baby
A few days after the grooming, I am glad to report that skiing is still the best since the very early season. All trails are skiable and the bumpy hills on the skating trails are now softened enough to be much safer at high speeds. Unfortunately, the bottom of the classic track everywhere is right down on the old, old, old ice which just keeps getting harder.
If rock 'n roll is your thing, have we got the ski trails for you! R, X and C are rockin' & rollin', a legacy of the ice and the snowmobiles. They are certainly more "interesting" than usual. A most kind, diplomatic skier told me today that these trails are "good". Comparatively, I guess.
By way of trail etiquette that seems to get lost, all skiers should snow-plow OFF the set track as much as possible. In addition, someone, fortunately only one or two people, snow-plowed down the S hill in the wrong direction towards Cox's Corner. It is totally unacceptable for anyone to scrape off the up-hill sections in these very marginal conditions. If there is a good reason to ski backwards, like maybe a broken ski, walking at the side of the trail is a good option. The rest of us would like to be able to ski tomorrow, thank you very much.
If rock 'n roll is your thing, have we got the ski trails for you! R, X and C are rockin' & rollin', a legacy of the ice and the snowmobiles. They are certainly more "interesting" than usual. A most kind, diplomatic skier told me today that these trails are "good". Comparatively, I guess.
By way of trail etiquette that seems to get lost, all skiers should snow-plow OFF the set track as much as possible. In addition, someone, fortunately only one or two people, snow-plowed down the S hill in the wrong direction towards Cox's Corner. It is totally unacceptable for anyone to scrape off the up-hill sections in these very marginal conditions. If there is a good reason to ski backwards, like maybe a broken ski, walking at the side of the trail is a good option. The rest of us would like to be able to ski tomorrow, thank you very much.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
That's a switch!
It's like someone turned a switch -- the skiers have gone away from the DRXC trails. Mostly. All the news I have indicates that our conditions are typical, or even better than average, but I guess enough is enough.
A little-used grooming implement called a "Snow Grabber" was used with some success on R, X and C loops during the week. This exercise served to reduce the OPP search damage considerably, but the track is still irregular, shallow and hard. D-loop has not been groomed again and cannot be improved significantly until there is more snow.
The remaining deep ruts in S and H have been flattened, but some still remain under large trees. The skating loops S, H and B are now all approximately the same, but there are grooming ruts and unpleasant ice cubes everywhere. I will attempt to address this after some personal rest days.
The 84-inch-wide "Ginzu-Groomer" has had its maiden voyage on M-loop and the powerline -- lucky Jackrabbits! I hit ground once beside the swamp on M, no damage done and only a bit of dirty ice left behind. This was with the shallowest possible cutting depth, but feedback indicates that the skate-skiing was better after than before. The powerline, on the other hand, was absolutely gorgeous first thing this morning -- the best skate-ski surface I have ever seen in Deep River.
The set-track on the highway-side of the road is getting harder and harder. Even with all 280 lb. of our track-set weights in use, the track came out shallow. The bottom of the track is now incredibly hard, about hardness 100 on a scale of 1-to-10.
A little-used grooming implement called a "Snow Grabber" was used with some success on R, X and C loops during the week. This exercise served to reduce the OPP search damage considerably, but the track is still irregular, shallow and hard. D-loop has not been groomed again and cannot be improved significantly until there is more snow.
The remaining deep ruts in S and H have been flattened, but some still remain under large trees. The skating loops S, H and B are now all approximately the same, but there are grooming ruts and unpleasant ice cubes everywhere. I will attempt to address this after some personal rest days.
The 84-inch-wide "Ginzu-Groomer" has had its maiden voyage on M-loop and the powerline -- lucky Jackrabbits! I hit ground once beside the swamp on M, no damage done and only a bit of dirty ice left behind. This was with the shallowest possible cutting depth, but feedback indicates that the skate-skiing was better after than before. The powerline, on the other hand, was absolutely gorgeous first thing this morning -- the best skate-ski surface I have ever seen in Deep River.
The set-track on the highway-side of the road is getting harder and harder. Even with all 280 lb. of our track-set weights in use, the track came out shallow. The bottom of the track is now incredibly hard, about hardness 100 on a scale of 1-to-10.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Silver Spoon Weekend
Here is the current "prepared" trail status:
D
remains track-set (Jan 28) with a little fresh snow on top.
R & X
were treated with a "snow-grab" and track set Feb 3. The results are mixed, but reportedly a big improvement.
C
remains icy and deeply rutted and the only fix is a large snowfall.
M
has a good skating track with a poor classic track along the edge, Feb 4
S
to The Top is as M.
H
the downhill from The Top directly back to S is as M.
B
had 4 smoothing passes Jan 28, one more Feb 2 and a poor classic track Feb. 4.
H
the second leg is as B, but without the extra smoothing.
S
the second leg had one smoothing pass Feb 3 and a poor classic track Feb 4 (See WARNING below)
CAUTION: The second leg of S, including "the big hill" down from The Top, is VERY HAZARDOUS because of the deep ruts.
ALSO, the classic track set Feb 4 is not deep enough to control ski direction. Skiers should be prepared for either ski to come out of the track at any time.
D
remains track-set (Jan 28) with a little fresh snow on top.
R & X
were treated with a "snow-grab" and track set Feb 3. The results are mixed, but reportedly a big improvement.
C
remains icy and deeply rutted and the only fix is a large snowfall.
M
has a good skating track with a poor classic track along the edge, Feb 4
S
to The Top is as M.
H
the downhill from The Top directly back to S is as M.
B
had 4 smoothing passes Jan 28, one more Feb 2 and a poor classic track Feb. 4.
H
the second leg is as B, but without the extra smoothing.
S
the second leg had one smoothing pass Feb 3 and a poor classic track Feb 4 (See WARNING below)
CAUTION: The second leg of S, including "the big hill" down from The Top, is VERY HAZARDOUS because of the deep ruts.
ALSO, the classic track set Feb 4 is not deep enough to control ski direction. Skiers should be prepared for either ski to come out of the track at any time.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Square one
We were able to loosen up the top very few centimetres of M-loop, plus S to The Top, followed by the first H downhill and then directly over to the end of S. A track was also set, but it suffers from the lack of snow -- it is not well formed and may not last very well. I talked to Brian Mottershead at PAXC and he reminded me that we have had only one significant snowfall so far this winter. I am still hitting rocks, particularly right near The Top on the way down B.
Further work on the skating trails will be slow because there is other work underway and because we have to drive about 10 km for each km of trail. The river side and D-loop are better skiing if we leave the skiffles of new snow alone until we get more than 15 cm accumulation. R-loop is reported to be enjoyable, but X and C are still rough. A few people have mentioned that the P(erimeter) trail is also enjoyable.
At the open house on Sunday, someone asked me what the main problem is with the trails, translation: Why is there so little grooming? There are a few "main" problems, e.g. lack of snow, very rough trails and perhaps most important, the fact that we cannot preserve the snow by closing the trails when the snow is wet.
The ruts left by the OPP snowmobiles are not insignificant in the big picture, but the new snow has helped us to fill them in. Grooming is very hard on people and equipment at present. It is tough not to lose control of the new 800-lb snowmobiles when they drive over some of the frozen ruts. Even when the trail looks smooth, the hard ruts filled with relatively soft snow make steering a challenge.
NOTE: there is a high-school race on Thursday, Feb. 4, approx. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the course mentioned above. The classic track will be removed for this event.
At the open house on Sunday, someone asked me what the main problem is with the trails, translation: Why is there so little grooming? There are a few "main" problems, e.g. lack of snow, very rough trails and perhaps most important, the fact that we cannot preserve the snow by closing the trails when the snow is wet.
The ruts left by the OPP snowmobiles are not insignificant in the big picture, but the new snow has helped us to fill them in. Grooming is very hard on people and equipment at present. It is tough not to lose control of the new 800-lb snowmobiles when they drive over some of the frozen ruts. Even when the trail looks smooth, the hard ruts filled with relatively soft snow make steering a challenge.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Too much ice
Inspection of D-loop after the recent "grooming" shows many metres of ice frozen on the ground with a lot of debris from the trees on top. Driving the new tenderizer over these areas three times and following with the track setter had almost no effect, except to scrape the skiffle of new snow off the debris. Nowhere was the set track well formed.
In all decisions of whether to groom or not, the primary question is whether or not skiing will be improved. In the present circumstances and after a direct trial, the answer is not. It is pretty much a no-brainer to leave the new snow on top of the debris rather than to beat up the equipment for no gain. My senior grooming consultant agrees that further attempts to set tracks now are not warranted on the bush trails. We are essentially back at square one and we need several inches of new snow to start over again.
I note with interest that the entire Gatineau Park system was closed for several days because of mild weather. Even now, only half of the system is open and skiers are strongly recommended not to ski on the ungroomed trails because of dangerous ice. This is where we are, with two differences: 1) we cannot close our trails in mild weather, which results in even harder ice, and 2) the OPP drove on our snow at its wettest. Go figure.
In all decisions of whether to groom or not, the primary question is whether or not skiing will be improved. In the present circumstances and after a direct trial, the answer is not. It is pretty much a no-brainer to leave the new snow on top of the debris rather than to beat up the equipment for no gain. My senior grooming consultant agrees that further attempts to set tracks now are not warranted on the bush trails. We are essentially back at square one and we need several inches of new snow to start over again.
I note with interest that the entire Gatineau Park system was closed for several days because of mild weather. Even now, only half of the system is open and skiers are strongly recommended not to ski on the ungroomed trails because of dangerous ice. This is where we are, with two differences: 1) we cannot close our trails in mild weather, which results in even harder ice, and 2) the OPP drove on our snow at its wettest. Go figure.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Dangerous conditions
The OPP snowmobiles left very deep ruts on many of the turns on all DRXC ski trails. The worst ruts are about 15 cm deep with 15 cm ridges of hard, lumpy ice frozen on the outside of the turn. I have started to flatten the trails, but my 800-lb snowmobile does not even come close to flattening the ruts. On all trails and especially on the downhills, these ruts require extreme caution to avoid a serious fall.
I flattened D-loop and the short M-loop and set a track of sorts. I also started to flatten H, S and B, to be continued. After one pass, the ruts are still very obvious and the snow that is scraped into the ruts is much softer than the rest of the track.
I am in the middle of arranging for local delivery of new equipment, assembling new equipment, grooming for weekend programs and planning grooming for the Silver Spoon. Do not expect quick restoration of good skiing anywhere soon.
I flattened D-loop and the short M-loop and set a track of sorts. I also started to flatten H, S and B, to be continued. After one pass, the ruts are still very obvious and the snow that is scraped into the ruts is much softer than the rest of the track.
I am in the middle of arranging for local delivery of new equipment, assembling new equipment, grooming for weekend programs and planning grooming for the Silver Spoon. Do not expect quick restoration of good skiing anywhere soon.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Unhappy times
I encountered several OPP Search & Rescue officers in the R-loop parking lot today, preparing to scour the area on skidoos. This may make the ski trails even worse than they might have been after this ridiculous weather. These officers are risking life and limb by driving on trails with weakened crust. We should all be grateful for their dedication and hope for their safety.
Lachlan has been missing for several days now. If prayer is an option for you, now would be a good time.
Lachlan has been missing for several days now. If prayer is an option for you, now would be a good time.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Two Firsts
A few skate-skiers pointed out that H, S and B loops might benefit from grooming, so I took out a "bed-frame" with an old Ski-Doo and smoothed those loops. I apologise for not doing this sooner, but I assumed that those loops had been flattened during the mild weather, like M-loop which remains completely ungroomable.
Unfortunately for some, there is now no track on H, S and B. This is a first. I cannot set a track out there on the downhills, which are like M-loop, so there seemed little sense in taking out the track setter. I hope that those who much prefer those loops without a track will enjoy Saturday and then pray for snow, and that the classic skiers are not too inconvenienced.
The second first was that I was able to use a leaf rake to clear needles and twigs off the snow in several places. If I have my druthers, I shall never have to use a leaf rake on snow again!
Unfortunately for some, there is now no track on H, S and B. This is a first. I cannot set a track out there on the downhills, which are like M-loop, so there seemed little sense in taking out the track setter. I hope that those who much prefer those loops without a track will enjoy Saturday and then pray for snow, and that the classic skiers are not too inconvenienced.
The second first was that I was able to use a leaf rake to clear needles and twigs off the snow in several places. If I have my druthers, I shall never have to use a leaf rake on snow again!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Life is hard -- so are our trails
Whoever coined that phrase about a rock and a hard place probably skied on our trails recently.
Much experience plus the guidelines that came with the new groomer dictate that it is a serious blunder to try to groom on wet snow, so we did not do that and the snow has now frozen. Our new "Ginzugroomer" is now wired up so that the operator can raise and lower the snow knives and the track setter and I tried out the knives on the power line yesterday. The technique is to take very light cuts to start and gradually lower the knives in subsequent passes. It took me 75 minutes to groom the power line with two passes and the second pass was too deep -- I should have been more gradual in lowering the knives. Because the knife array is less than 1 metre wide, this operation required more than 15 km of driving, all with relatively hard pulling.
Present and former groomers are in agreement that there are still many places on the trails where a knife groomer like ours will stub its toes on rocks and roots, even with very light cuts. This has great potential to seriously damage the groomer and also the snowmobile and the club executive has recommended that we not risk equipment damage.
In addition, there is only so much "life" in the snow. Thus, while the powerline is now quite good for skate skiing, if there is another thaw or damp day, it will end up harder than it was and also harder to groom.
Considering all the factors together, for example the moratorium on high-school ski practices this week and the possibility that there may be more thaws and little more snow before the three races here early in February, I feel it is prudent to leave the trails alone for now. I wish it could be different!
Much experience plus the guidelines that came with the new groomer dictate that it is a serious blunder to try to groom on wet snow, so we did not do that and the snow has now frozen. Our new "Ginzugroomer" is now wired up so that the operator can raise and lower the snow knives and the track setter and I tried out the knives on the power line yesterday. The technique is to take very light cuts to start and gradually lower the knives in subsequent passes. It took me 75 minutes to groom the power line with two passes and the second pass was too deep -- I should have been more gradual in lowering the knives. Because the knife array is less than 1 metre wide, this operation required more than 15 km of driving, all with relatively hard pulling.
Present and former groomers are in agreement that there are still many places on the trails where a knife groomer like ours will stub its toes on rocks and roots, even with very light cuts. This has great potential to seriously damage the groomer and also the snowmobile and the club executive has recommended that we not risk equipment damage.
In addition, there is only so much "life" in the snow. Thus, while the powerline is now quite good for skate skiing, if there is another thaw or damp day, it will end up harder than it was and also harder to groom.
Considering all the factors together, for example the moratorium on high-school ski practices this week and the possibility that there may be more thaws and little more snow before the three races here early in February, I feel it is prudent to leave the trails alone for now. I wish it could be different!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Happy Weekend
All DRXC Deep River east trails have been groomed and trackset as of about 9 a.m. this morning (Sat.). More trees came down during the week, mostly from snow and ice on the branches. D, R, X & C were clear last evening and the skating trails this morning. Skiers should be vigilant in looking far enough ahead to allow time to throw out an anchor and stop if the trail is blocked.
The snow is, however, thin and increasingly crusty. The tracks set last evening and this morning are poorly formed and crumbly, and in hindsight, you may have been better served if I had kept the machines in the garage.
I now have no equipment that can improve the skiing before significantly more snow falls, except perhaps on the powerline ("K-loop") and part of M loop. Since I struck obstacles under the snow on C-loop with the old tracksetter, I will be assessing whether attempting to use the new small groomer has more benefits than risks. It would be unfortunate to damage it seriously so soon after its arrival!
Note that this blog is one way. I did not initially enable return messages from readers, but now that an old friend has promised me a complimentary message, I am tempted. I will post any developments in this direction.
The snow is, however, thin and increasingly crusty. The tracks set last evening and this morning are poorly formed and crumbly, and in hindsight, you may have been better served if I had kept the machines in the garage.
I now have no equipment that can improve the skiing before significantly more snow falls, except perhaps on the powerline ("K-loop") and part of M loop. Since I struck obstacles under the snow on C-loop with the old tracksetter, I will be assessing whether attempting to use the new small groomer has more benefits than risks. It would be unfortunate to damage it seriously so soon after its arrival!
Note that this blog is one way. I did not initially enable return messages from readers, but now that an old friend has promised me a complimentary message, I am tempted. I will post any developments in this direction.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
It's still snowing!
D, R, X and C loops were track-set on Sunday. I had a report on Monday that the tracks were already quite hard. I had to cut off and move twenty or twenty-five tall saplings because they were hanging into the trail. Different trees continue to bend over farther and obstruct the trail every day and several people are taking a saw with them to clear the trails as they ski.
Touring skiers are strongly encouraged to give overhanging branches a strong tug as they pass. This usually dislodges the heavy clinging snow and allows the tree to rebound out of the trail.
Yesterday (Tue.), all of M, H, S and B were rolled and trackset. Removal of many obstructions slowed this work. Rolling is new for DRXC and the result looked wonderful. However, the snow did not harden very well, partly because the temperature rose during the day, so the skating trail is patchy-soft and broken up by skiers. The classic track seems better with a firm bottom.
The rocks seem well covered now, but the track-setter was still bouncing on the R-loop corduroy logs. The snow is still quite thin over the high rocks and the saving grace is the layer of wet stuff that fell and froze on boxing day.
Touring skiers are strongly encouraged to give overhanging branches a strong tug as they pass. This usually dislodges the heavy clinging snow and allows the tree to rebound out of the trail.
Yesterday (Tue.), all of M, H, S and B were rolled and trackset. Removal of many obstructions slowed this work. Rolling is new for DRXC and the result looked wonderful. However, the snow did not harden very well, partly because the temperature rose during the day, so the skating trail is patchy-soft and broken up by skiers. The classic track seems better with a firm bottom.
The rocks seem well covered now, but the track-setter was still bouncing on the R-loop corduroy logs. The snow is still quite thin over the high rocks and the saving grace is the layer of wet stuff that fell and froze on boxing day.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Love that snow.
We managed to roll the Kids' area, also called the powerline, and set tracks for Jackrabbits. M, S and B were packed, but H was not touched because of ice-laden branches hanging into the trail. A volunteer will work on the branches today (Sat.). Say thanks to Bruce if you see him. No trails have been track-set since the snowfall.
We have some issues to solve as we learn to use the new equipment. In addition, the bulk of our new equipment order will not likely arrive before late February. One of the two new snowmobiles has a fault that requires attention and we are not using it at present. These issues mean that grooming will be slower than ideal.
We will start moving snow by hand into the rough trails, so skiers should not be surprised to find a snowmobile parked to the side of a trail. It is particularly important to ski the trails in the conventional direction during this activity so that we can park the snowmobile in a safe spot.
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