Blue Hills Trail

The evenings of February 13, 14 and 15 each produced light snowfalls in the Blue Hills.  Since the base is so thin, we decided to leave this fresh snow ungroomed – and it’s providing pretty nice skiing right now.  The loose snow surface offers good edge control on top of the underlying crusty hardpack.  Because of the lack of new snow in the past couple weeks, repeated grooming of the hardpack base has hastened the development of icy conditions by repeatedly altering the structure of the snow crystals.  Overall, our groomers have done an amazing job this winter in dealing with the challenges of a warm, dry season.

Grooming is planned  both Saturday and Sunday mornings this weekend.  We’ve saved some loose snow to mix with the hardpack base, and  it looks like morning temps will be cooperative.  Check out these most recent photos of happy skiers – this could be you this weekend!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/13: GREAT packed powder conditions on the Westside.  Super job grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/15: Great skiing.  Many thanks! –Holcombe, WI
• 2/16: Fantastic skiing this morning! –Ladysmith, WI

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Thursday evening’s 3/4-inch snowfall was a very welcome addition.  Before that snowfall, the trails were quite icy – but this weekend the skiing was much more controllable.  To get an edge, I still needed to tread lightly while climbing the sun exposed hills.  But once I reached the Eastside ridge line (numbers 9 through 20 on the map), the more sheltered trails provided very good skating.  Fast, fun, & pretty much under control.

With the ongoing snow drought to the South, East and West, the Blue Hills attracted many visitors this weekend.  A fun social time while sharing the beauty of this trail system.  Come back soon!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/11: Enjoyed ourselves. –Amery, WI & St. Paul, MN
• 2/11: Thank you! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/11: I came back! –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/11: 1st time here!  –author’s location unknown
• 2/12: Great trails!  Did the snowshoe trail north of the warming hut – beautiful little trail following the green ribbons – took ~1 hour slow walk in boots, but ~24 minutes fast walk on snowshoes.  –Farmington, MN
• 2/12: 8+ folks from Ride & Glide Ski Club.  Both classic & skate had a good time.  Called the “bare spots” the duathlon course.  Klister, base wax, powergrip all worked fine. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/12:      :-)     –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/12: Great first time here.  Many thanks for trails & advice. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/12: Great job dealing with what Mother Nature dealt you this winter.  I tried to bring some snow from the Pacific Northwest but it all melted on the way :-)  –Sumner, WA
• 2/12: Thank you Mr. Groomer.  Lots of happy skiers today. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/12: Well worth the drive from Eau Claire!  Newly groomed areas were great, & the caramel corn a sweet treat.  Thank you! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/12: Thanks! –Neillsville, WI

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Freeze-thaw cycles (January 31 – Feb 6) provided fantastic skiing during the magic window each day as the trail softened.  But without new snowfall, eventually the thin hard base couldn’t be manipulated by our magical groomers any more and the trails set up like concrete – and then the downhills became somewhat treacherous earlier this week.

We chose to prepare for the weekend and saw an opportunity to groom most of the trails during the late afternoon Thursday (Feb. 9).   This removed the chevrons (frozen ski marks) and brought back a nice smooth surface.  Thursday night, we received 1/2″ – 3/4″ of fresh snow.   We decided to let the new snow sit and this new snow is providing nice edge control on the sun exposed downhills.

Come ski the Hills this weekend!  You’ll find fresh snow, silence in the north, good skiing, and perhaps some animal tracks to captivate your imagination.  And if you’ve never experienced spring crust skiing, take a side trip to Audi Flowage which can be reached by skiing the Westside trials (bushwhack north across the small lake near Letter F) – or by driving a couple miles to the campground where you can park adjacent to Audie.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/5: Mr. Groomer, You the Man!  Nice talking to you on top of the hill.  You made many skiers happy this weekend.  Thanks for making the Blue Hills so wonderful!!  –Alma Center, WI
• 2/5: It was so good yesterday, I came back for more.  Woo hoo!  What more can I say?  High marks to the groomer! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/5: Excellent grooming – thank you!  thank you!  thank you! –author’s location unknown
• 2/6: My first time up this winter.  Conditions were fine, much better than down south in Eau Claire.  Thanks for the grooming & great skiing. –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/6: Beautiful full moon-rise sunset ski – fast trails – challenging the speed of light!  Careful on those downhills. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/7: 1st-timer - awesome!  Hardpack, needless to say, but still worth the trip from Maple Grove.  See ya next time!  –Maple Grove, MN
• 2/9: If you are waiting for the trails to soften, try skiing Audie Lake!  We put the moon to bed, & saw the sun come up this morning.  Beautiful!  Then skied the Westside.  Great way to start the day! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/9: Before grooming began, downhills were fast & ‘screaming mimis’!  Difficult to get a good cut & skate.  Flats OK & fast.  –Chippewa Falls, WI & Rockford, IL
• 2/9: No hat, no mittens, no brakes!!  Yikes. –author’s location unknown
• 2/10: Drove thru 4+ hours of snow – happy to be here. –Fredonia, WI
• 2/10: Cold aggressive snow created a good workout today.  But nice to see that white stuff again. –Ladysmith, WI

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Freeze-thaw cycles continue – the base is now about as thick as a brick, & as hard as one too.  Today’s groomer had a tough time getting the grooming knives to penetrate the icy surface; fortunately he was able to scarify the surface just enough to help skate skiers get an edge.  Sunny skies and midday temps near 35°F made for another blazing fast day on skis.  As I stepped into a downhill section of classic track, Clark Kent came out of hiding –  I felt like Superman!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/4: Another nice warm day to ski the Westside.  What a beautiful day.  –Apple Valley, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for the grooming!! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/4: Beautiful grooming!  The Westside was outstanding! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/4: Silver Boys up for a beautiful epic adventure.  Ski therapy had by all. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for the trails! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for your generosity & foresight in planning & maintaining these trails! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: Wow is right!  I second the person who said it was the best of the season.  For us snow-starved Minnesotans this redeemed our winter!  Thanks a bunch! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: First time here.  Enjoyed the view. –Milwaukee, WI
• 2/4: Trying out the Blue Hills, have been skating at Timberland in Cumberland where the trails are only in fair condition. –author’s location unknown
• 2/5: Fun Day!  Thanks for the touch-up grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/5: Three days in a row of great skiing.  Nice, sunny warm day! –Apple Valley, MN

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Freeze-thaw cycles have created a crusty hardpack base.  With temps starting at 14° F, grooming was a challenge early this morning – tough to penetrate that frozen surface.  Almost the entire Eastside skate lane yielded to the knives on the grooming implement, producing enough of a loose surface for skate skiers to ski with abandon.  Rocket fast skating lasted throughout the morning, slightly sticky conditions didn’t show until about noon.

Looking at the parking lot by the warming house, this was the place to be!  Nice to know that all those skiers don’t find themselves crowded while exploring this lovely trail system – they just seem to disappear among the many different loops.

If we groom it, will they come?  More grooming planned for tomorrow morning!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/29: Beautiful day & trails were so nice!  We especially appreciated the tasty caramel corn! :)  –Chetek, WI
• 1/31: I came to see your wonderful forest! and ski track! –Switzerland
• 1/31: Beautiful grooming!  The Westside was outstanding! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/31: Skijoured the Westside/team effort/excellent snow! –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/2: That infamous groundhog – BLUE HILLS BILL – couldn’t find his shadow anywhere!  Better ski while you can.  Great fun today! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/2: Very nice.  1st time. –St. Croix Falls, WI
• 2/2: Amazingly good skiing!  Thanks. –author’s location unknown
• 2/3: Back again today for some great skiing! –Amery, WI
• 2/3: A little icy at the start, but great “spring” skiing as the sun came out.  Great job groomers, we appreciate your hard work. –Apple Valley, MN
• 2/4: Possible the BEST ski of the season – perhaps my life!  Woo Hoo!  The best line of the week: Groomer replying to person asking how he made the grooming so good, “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”  Thank you groomers for scratching up the surface. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/4: Wow!  Good edge control and blazing fast!  Thanks to everybody that makes these trails GO! –Ladysmith, WI

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Blue Hills Bill spent the past six weeks,
Sunbathing beneath a big tree;
It’s been too warm to call this a winter,
And Bill has some advice for thee:

“Do not hesitate, go ski the Hills now,
‘Cause my shadow I could not see;
Enjoy those trails while they’re covered with snow,
This winter has perplexed even me!”

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Cross country skiing conditions at the Blue Hills Trail this past weekend were outstanding!  With several light snowfalls this past week, groomers were busy preparing for the weekend.  Additional grooming on Saturday and Sunday mornings was very timely, and skate skiers enjoyed firm packed powder and surprisingly fast skiing despite the seasonably cold temps; classic skiers had about 12-14 km of good track to enjoy.

Overall, this winter has been a disappointment for skiers.  However, here in the Blue Hills, we’ve been able to enjoy steadily improving conditions with each little snowfall.  If you are sitting at home waiting for conditions to get better, you’re missing some great skiing.  Ski now or forever hold your skis!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/25: More snow, more grooming.  Lovely corduroy! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/26: 2 1/2 hr ski – wonderful trails.  Started in with cloudy sky & now bright blue!  A great day! –author’s location unknown
• 1/27: It was so freakin’ FAST the bottom of my skis were too hot to touch — which is amazing considering the fat old fossil strapped to them! –author’s location unknown
• 1/27: Skied core loop then all of Westside trails.  Westside more level, firmer base, better glide. –Prairie Farm, WI
• 1/27: Enjoyed a beautiful day skating on both the East & West side.  Thanks for the nice grooming job.  Enjoyed skiing while it was gently snowing. –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Trails were awesome – had a great time – we’ll be back tomorrow. –Edina, MN
• 1/28: Beautiful scenery & conditions!  –Cumberland, WI and Iron Mountain, MI
• 1/28: Trails with snow!  What a treat! –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Absolutely wonderful!  Snow & trail conditions were perfect! –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Beautiful & picturesque, nice skiing conditions.  Loved the skier in the tree. –Minneapolis, MN
• 1/28: What fun!  Great job on the trails. –Chicago, IL
• 1/29: Great grooming, NOW that’s skiing. –author’s location unknown
• 1/29: Thanks! –Twin Cities, MN
• 1/29: What a work of art the grooming was today! –Ladysmith, WI

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A light freezing mist on January 22nd created super fun conditions.  This changed to snow the next day, and 2″ of fresh snow were groomed to perfection this morning.  Skiers in the know started arriving just as the groomers finished.  We were treated to a lovely afternoon with packed powder fresh corduroy, sunny temps in the low 20s, snow dusting the hemlocks, and a shiny icy coating in the tree tops.  Wow!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/21: Fast & fun!  10 degrees F, sunny, just need more snow.  Great grooming of the snow that’s here. –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/21: Great grooming! –Rice Lake, WI
• 1/21: Skied the Westside classic trail with my buddy – very nice! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/22: Freezing mist made for fast fun ski Westside!  Woo hoo! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/22: Great job of grooming with little to work with.  Where the classic track was it was great – then coming back with the freezing mist it was bad fast! –author’s location unknown
• 1/22: Great trail – beautiful winter day! Thanks. –Bloomer, WI
• 1/22: Fun hills.  Real nice trails. –Birchwood, WI
• 1/22: My family & I love to come here Sunday afternoons to enjoy great trails & the great outdoors :) –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/23: Two eagles today! –author’s location unknown
• 1/24: Fresh corduroy everywhere!  Thanks groomers. –Ladysmith, WI

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Fresh corduroy almost everywhere!  With temps in the low teens, skating was much faster than anticipated.  Groomers have done a great job with the limited base – most trail sections are smooth enough to ski all out.  The underlying base is solid packed powder, the surface provides good edge control, and the infrequent dirt spots are easily avoided.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/16: Skied core loop!  Excellent!!  1st time out this year & it was great.  Thanks! –Madison, WI
• 1/16: Wow!!  What a treasure for all you folks lucky enough to live here AND to have so many dedicated to “Mother Earth” to so painstakingly maintain & preserve & respect her for all of us “City Sisters” to enjoy. –Plymouth, WI
• 1/16: Thanks for the tracks. –Chetek, WI
• 1/20: Thanks. –Eau Claire, WI

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Fresh corduroy on the Eastside core loop made for very good skate skiing conditions today.  Temps hovered around 30 degrees F, afternoon sunshine highlighted the beauty of the woods, and the trails ranged from solid controllable hardpack skiing, to a packed powder consistency on lesser traveled trails.  Nice way to celebrate the MLK holiday.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/16: Westside is excellent.  Core loop very good.  Love the skier in the tree. –St. Paul, MN
• 1/16: Skied the classic track on the gravel rd. to the end & back – multiple trips – JUST EXCELLENT!! –Ladysmith, WI

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Snow conditions today were really great!  The surface ranged from a hardpack powder (on heavily skied trails) to a firm packed powder on lesser traveled routes.  Skating was fast, edge control was good, and the occasional dirt spots and soft spots were easily negotiated.  The parking lot and warming house were busy again today, it’s nice to see so many happy skiers able to enjoy our local taste of winter.

Be sure to check out the home page on the website where trail conditions include links to maps showing the few challenging areas (thin spots on uphills).

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/15: Good to very good conditions… we all enjoyed ourselves! –formerly from Ladysmith, WI
• 1/15: Thank you for the Rice Krispie Treats! –author’s location unknown
• 1/15: Good experience overall, beautiful day by the way!! –author’s location unknown
• 1/15: I fell a lot… but it looked pretty on the way down! –author’s location unknown
• 1/15: Good times as always – thanks for all your hard work!  Hope the snow holds out… –author’s location unknown
• 1/15: Fifth annual MLK weekend from Madison.  One fo our favorite traditions.  Thanks for the wonderful grooming & cozy warming house. –Madison, WI

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Fabulous Cross Country skiing in the Blue Hills today, East and West sides.  Excellent coverage, great base.  Mostly firm, some soft but negotiable.  Several kilometers tracked for classic striding.  Brand new loop 29A – 30 was beautiful.  Went 22K w/o retracing steps and left much more for tomorrow.  Will only get better.  Brisk but tolerable temps.  Come and enjoy!

We had visitors from near and far, check out a few pictures from today – plus an image showing the classic track now available on the Westside.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/11: Skied from the Audie boat landing to the far loop on the Westside.  We then skied all the Westside, & back to Audie.  The groomed trails were quite good. –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/13: Friday the 13th proved to be outstanding!  Finally winter is here!  Groomers did a wonderful job.  Thank you! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/14: Wonderful ski today.  Once again the groomers excelled! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/14: Visitors from… –WI: Eau Claire, Bruce, Menomonie
• 1/14: Fantastic 15 degree day.  Westside great shape & fast.  –Rice Lake, WI
• 1/14: Beautiful ski. –Minneapolis, MN

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In the past week, 4 days set or approached record high temps.  Thanks to great grooming of the snow we’ve received this winter (timely grooming helps preserve the base) – and a well timed 3″ snowfall January 12th – we’re skiing on amazingly good conditions considering the little snow we’ve received during this winter done missing.

Packed powder skiing was thoroughly enjoyable this afternoon.  Those of us chatting in the warming house today are predicting a fun weekend in the Blue Hills.  Carpe diem – come ski the Hills!

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The word’s out!  The Westside of the Blue Hills Trail has good cover on almost the entire network of trails.  It’s only been groomed once (rolled & compacted on January 4th) so the surface is still rough.  However, in this season of  the winter gone missing, skate skiing the Westside was very enjoyable this morning.  Check out the Westside pictures (below).

The only problem area is a 200 meter section of trail on the back loop between map points F & G.  That area has 5 meters of intermittent running water, and a sun-exposed hill with very thin base.  You can either tread cautiously over that area, or bushwhack through a snow covered bypass above this section.  To access the Westside, you’ll find limited parking at Letter A or Letter L.  To ski from the Eastside to the Westside, you’ll need to remove your skis to walk a 100 meter bare stretch of trail near #26 as you prepare to cross the Firelane Road.

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Sunshine and near record warm temps blasted the Midwest January 5/6.  Thanks to the work of our groomers the past few weeks, the compacted trails withstood the heat wave – only occasional dirt spots are present.  After decent overnight freezes, we were able to perform light grooming of the core loop Saturday and Sunday mornings.  With this weekend’s temps rising into the low 30′s, skate skiers enjoyed firm fast trails topped with a little fresh corduroy that provided enough edge control to help conrol the downhills – more like skiing a cool sunny day in March.  The core loop continues to provide the best skiing, while many of the side trails are firm enough to provide enjoyable skiing despite the overall lack of snow.

On January 1st, a classic track was set from map points 1-21 & beyond.  The track is still present, but shallow and glazed.

Eager for more grooming?  Due to the thin base, until more snow arrives, we have to limit our grooming to avoid uncovering more dirt spots.  If skiing the next couple days, you should find decent conditions just as temps reach the low 30′s.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/4: The groomers are magicians with the 5″ of snow we got January 1st.  Thank you! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/4: Grooming wonderful.  Thank you! –author’s location unknown
• 1/5: Warm temps softened the snow, but still better conditions than most places.  Strided the ungroomed trails for variety. –Twin Cities, MN
• 1/7: Screaming fast!  What a BLAST!!  Thanks groomers for touch up. –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/7: Great skiing for this 2012 winter!  Grooming good.  Love the skier in the tree :-)  –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/7: We are blessed to have this trail.  Thank you. –Wabasha, MN
• 1/8: EXCELLENT - hope it holds ’til the snow comes back. –St. Paul, MN
• 1/8: Didn’t think it could get any better than yesterday but it did!  Fun day!  Note that the core loop is now flagged with blue ribbons. –Ladysmith, WI

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