Tough week

It was a tough week for the trail.  Thanks to above freezing temperatures and rain, most of the trail is either gone or not useable. 

However there was enough snow on the Krysilis property for a couple of small loops to be texturized for skating today.  It can best be accessed by parking at the Lodge parking lot and heading north past the wood fence. 

And don't forget how much fun it can be to crust skate ski off trail.  I was out today skating from patch to patch right next to the trail.  Plus the lake bed at Pilot Knob state park was pretty good for that too.

Regroomed

Eric & I took the ginzu groomer out tonight to touch up most of the skating trails including the ice rink loop.  We left the existing classic tracks alone since there was not enough snow to reset tracks.  Have a great weekend of skiing!

Lighted ski trail

New for Forest City is our lighted ice rink/ski loop in Pammel Park.  I spent an hour skiing it last night and had a blast!  It's small and flat but you will not need a headlamp after dark.  It's ready for both classic and skate skiers.

Just flip on the switch on the light pole on the Northwest side of the rink and you will have plenty of light for playing on the ice or snow.  Please turn it off when you leave. 

And it's all free!

Happy New Year!

A very small loop for skating and classic skiing was groomed right next to the ice rink in Pammel Park yesterday.  It's very small and very flat, but could be fun for beginners.  The rink was having fresh water poured on it yesterday with plans to open today.

Classic tracks only were set around the lake bed on Pilot Knob Lake (it's dry now) and around the campground.  A newly built funneling device that grabs snow from both sides and funnels it down to a 2' wide area was used.  This should be useful in the future when there isn't enough newly fallen snow to set tracks.

The best access would be to park at the entrance to Pilot Knob campground and look for the tracks.  There is probably about 2km of track set.

The main Forest City Ski Trail still has about 1.3km of track at the East Woods Access and about .5 km at the Lodge & Krysilis. And we still have well over 5km of skating on the entire course.

We're trying to make the best out of thin snow and we're always wishing for more.  I hope you enjoy the trails in and around Forest City!

Beautiful day for skiing!

What a great day for skiing!  The hoarfrost in the trees made for a picturesque day on the trail. Nice to see people from Clear Lake & Garner up to enjoy the course this afternoon.  Hope you get a chance to ski today!

East Wood Access

 

Lodge & Krysilis

 

Between the river & clubhouse

 

 

Fresh snow just groomed

Pretty much all of the Forest City Ski Trail has been groomed for skate skiing thanks to the recent snowfall.  I did set tracks on the loop that starts at the East woods access and goes down to the river.  And there are tracks at the Lodge & Krysilis properties.  However the tracks do go down to the grass on occasion.  There isn't enough consistent depth to set tracks over the entire course.

Chrismas Eve

One more loop has been opened up this morning thanks to Jim McGuire and Sam Swanson bringing snow to the bare spots.  This is the loop between the East Woods access and the clubhouse.  It was only packed for skate skiing however because there just isn't enough consistent depth there to set tracks. 

However there are still tracks on the loop that goes from the East Woods access down to the river.  And that skating loop was also refreshed and widened this morning.

The loops on the Lodge and Krysilis properties are still skiable also.

Merry Christmas!!