Don was grooming as of 10:00 AM, Monday. Don’t be fooled by conditions at the gate, which is water covered ice, and truck tracks. The snow is holding up fine past the container where the grooming equipment is stored. Spring conditions, very skiable. Bon Apetit.
Groomers, be advised that we adjusted the Ginzu to its lowest static setting on the hitch, in order to get some bite in these low conditions.
With our recent rain and warm temperatures, most of the lower loop has melted down to muskeg, gravel, or glare ice, so we are done skiing there until we get at least 6-8 inches of fresh snow. If you walk the trail, you will want your ice cleats. OK to walk your dog on the lower loop until we get more snow, but please clean up after them. Think snow!
I will groom this morning at first light and report back after I’m done. Hope there’s enough left to come out decently.
Yes, the manhole covers are visible at the campground. It won’t be long now before the skiing gets much worse or much better. Steve did a great job conserving and surfacing Sunday morning. I went 4 laps and they felt like a million bucks. Cooler temps last night helped. I’m going tomorrow morning just in case.
Keep your eyes peeled for leopard seals. They are rumored to be lurking near the speed bumps at the campground where they stalk unwary skiers and burst through the thin ice to consume their prey. The coverage is thin, but we aren’t singing ‘Desperado’ yet. Grooming complete @ 10 am. Skating better than diagonal.
The nordic ski team kids will be training at the Mendenhall Campground this Saturday, 12/13 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Watch for many enthusiastic young skiers speeding round and round the track!
Groomer got so fired up at all the folks at the Dzantik’i Heeni potluck he made his way to the campground for some night maneuvers. Selecting a ‘coast guard cut’, the results were pretty good. For once: Lucky you if you can’t sleep and go skating tonight or get up early before the lands and the grooves are disturbed. Should be sweet.