Has Spring arrived in Iowa?

Predicted high of 65 in Iowa City today, 3/29/12, I believe that's that for the white fluffy stuff folks.
Until next ski season...   Brett

Mason City, Lime Creek

Late posting 3/19 update:

All Lime Creek Conservation Area classical cross country ski trails (LCCA Woodland Trails) have been groomed with tracks set.  The majority of the trails are in fair condition.  However, come sections of trails remain unfavorable for skiing and caution should be used due to the existing ice layer below the snow pack.

The Quarry Lake Trail at LCCA has been packed as well.  All snow bike users and all recreational walkers, snow shoe enthusiasts and dog walkers are asked to utilize that trail for their winter activities.  As a reminder, hikers and other foot-powered traffic on the groomed ski trails damages the trail for cross country skiing.  Due to a very short winter ski season we strongly urge cooperation from all users, to respect the groomed ski trails when conditions exist.

The expanded ski trail venue at Wilkinson Park in Rock Falls has been evaluated and no grooming activity will be completed.

Forest City Ski Trail

We're still keeping part of our trail groomed in Forest City too.  The Lodge and Krysilis properties were just groomed for skate and classic skiing tonight.  Access is at the Lodge Resort.  This is a wooded area with small hills containing several small loops that hold snow very well and it is probably not much more than 1 km total.  And it is one of my favorite places to ski.  Happy Spring skiing!

The Lodge Resort

 

 

Prairie Springs XC Ski Trails

Who would have thought we'd be skiing in spring!  We wanted to try some experiments with the grooming equipment, so I put in a 2.1 km loop consisting of the Camp Road Trail, Campground Loop and Meadow Loop.  Packed and combed for skaters with on classical track on outside.  Looks like the temps will hold until Sunday.  Plenty of snow so if you want to say you skied in Iowa in the spring of 2013, have at it.  I have uploaded a couple of pictures of the groomed Camp Road portion - taken at dusk, so somewhat dark.  Also uploaded a screenshot from Google Earth showing the route.

Forest city Groomed for skating 3/17/2013

Forest City has groomed again on 3/17/2013, There is still plenty of snow in the Lodge/Krysilis areas.  I groomed for skating only there today.  Let it refreeze this evening and it should be very fast!  It looks like a little more snow is on the way later tonight and tomorrow.  Jeff Hovinga

Forest City

Last grooming  

It looks like we received about 8" to 10" of heavy snow.  I groomed a set of tracks for classic skiing on the Lodge and Krysilis properties tonight.  I have no plans on doing anything on the golf course due to time limitations and some water/slush there. Enjoy the last of the snow! Posted by Jeff Hovinga

Lime Creek, Mason city Rock Falls

DATE:   MARCH 11, 2013

TOPIC: CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS

We attempted to groom the Lime Creek Conservation Area cross country ski trails but due to extremely wet snow there was a lot of water underneath the snow making for unfavorable skiing conditions.  The majority of the trails are in poor condition.

The expanded ski trail venue at Wilkinson Park in Rock Falls has been evaluated and no grooming activity will be completed.

Come ski the snow tunnels of Briggs Woods!

Webster City got 6" to 10" of snow. If I had noticed the trees so laden with snow I might have not tried to groom the Woodland trail, as it has no place to turn around with the groomer. However, my mistake has created a magical skiing experience. In at least twenty spots, trees from both sides of the trail bowed down to the ground. It took an hour, but between plowing ahead with the Kabota, and physically climbing and shaking trees, the trail is groomed and open with tunnels of snow covered foliage. It is crazy beautiful!

I also laid a classic track on the Ten Hills 5k race course on the golf course, but due to the wind, I couldn't lay the second width today. If you do come and ski the Woodland Trail, you might want to park up by the conservation building, as the lake parking lot is muddy and deeply rutted.

Prairie Springs XC Ski Trails - Cresco

Brenda just finished grooming (6:30 pm).  She actually groomed two days ago right after the snow ended, but snowmobiles got onto the trails, so we didn't put up a post.  Things look pretty good.  Not perfect, but flat and skateable.  I skied it and had a good time.  The Bike Trail (8), The Dry Creek Trail (3), the Camp Road Trail (7) and Campground Loop (6) have all been repacked and combed.  The Meadow (5) and Lookout (8C) were packed on Tuesday and still skiable. 

I set a classic only track on the River Trail and back in on the "old" snowmobile trail (8B).  This was an experiment with the Ranger pulling the classic tracksetter on its own.  The loop in front of the Nature Center isn't good - too soft.  The rest is good.  My suggestion is get on at the main trail head, go right and stay behind the Nature Center.  Keep going straight (about 30 yards are skied in) and then you will be able to access the River Trail (9).  You will figure the rest out on your own.

We have a lot of snow on the ground, and depth of snow on the trails is very good.  I will use my best skis tomorrow for the first time this year!

Now for the bad news.  We didn't do more than we did because rain is predicted for Friday night.  If you can get the day off, come on up!  If we don't get snow Friday night or it's not raining on Saturday, I will post Saturday morning.

Forest City new grooming

Forest City snow worked...

The trail was groomed for both classic and skate style skiing tonight.  With about 5" of good snow (not fluffy) from the last two days, this was one of the best conditions for grooming this year! 

Posted by Jeff Hovinga

Lime Creek - Mason City, Rock Falls

All Lime Creek Conservation Area cross country ski trails have been packed.  However, insufficient snow base exists to attempt any track setting within the woodland trails designated for classical skiing at this time.  The majority of the trails are in fair condition.  However, some trails remain unstable for skiing and extreme caution should be used due to the existing ice layer below the thin snow pack.

The Quarry Lake Trail at LCCA has been packed as well.  All snow bike users and all recreational walkers, snow shoe enthusiasts and dog walkers are asked to utilize that trail for their winter activities.  As a reminder, hikers and other foot-powered traffic on the groomed ski trails damages the trail for cross country skiing.  Due to a very short winter ski season we strongly urge cooperation from all users, to respect the groomed ski trails when conditions exist.

The expanded ski trail venue at Wilkinson Park in Rock Falls has been evaluated and no grooming activity will be completed.

Updates will be provided on this website when necessary for those interested in trail conditions.  As a guideline for ski trail users; updates will appear on this site during the work week only, dependent on changes in general conditions.

George Wyth-Cedar Falls- Freshly Groomed!

It's your lucky week if you live in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area! The groomer was out today, and skiing classic between 4 and 5 pm I saw 6(!) other skiers taking advantage of the awesome trails. A couple skaters, and a few of us in the tracks. It's supposed to rain this weekend, and who knows how long before one boot-legger ruins it, but three hours ago, conditions were divine.

Linn County Cross County Ski Trail Updates

As of Tuesday, March 5th, the following trails have been rolled:
Morgan Creek Park
Pinicon Ridge Park
Matsell Bridge Natural Area

If weather cooperates, trails will be groomed on Wednesday, March 6th.  This depends on snow conditions and temperature. 

Ashton Iowa City 3/5/13 1pm

Ashton Iowa City 3/5/13 1pm
Ashton has been groomed, mainly trying to pack down the 4-5" of new snow before the wind blows it away.
A classic groove was put down we'll see what happens with that and the skate lane.  Brett

Minimal snow at Webster City

For the past three storm forecasts, Webster City must have at least a foot of snow on the ground, but after round three, another wet 2" over mostly melted 3", grooming isn't possible here again. The trails may be skiable, but not great. I'll watch conditions and update if we get any change fr the better. Darn.

Forest City

Conditions in Forest City were pretty good this weekend.  The classic tracks were in good shape until the sun burned through in some spots by this afternoon.  I groomed for skating only at the Lodge Hotel area which set up very well and made for some fun skating. 

I enjoy seeing pictures of other ski areas and appreciated seeing Cresco's this weekend.  Here are some of our fun spots.