Blue Hills Trail

True wintry conditions were enjoyed by a surprising number of skiers Monday morning (March 5th) – & again Tuesday morning.  Obviously these skiers have been watching their calendar and the weather reports.  Cross country skiing of this quality has been sorely lacking this winter.  If you missed out, take a look at a video submitted by a Tuesday morning skier (turn the volume way down if you find southerly breezes disturbing).

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/4: Mankind speaks & I long for the whispering silence of the forest; the forest speaks & I forget the clamoring voices of mankind. –author’s location unknown
• 3/4: XC skiing for us is one of the most glorious parts of living in northern Wisconsin.  Thanks so much to the Blue Hills Bunch for saving winter 2011-12. –author’s location unknown
• 3/4: The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe – Through the Wardrobe into the Winter Magic of the Blue Hills beautifully groomed. –author’s location unknown
• 3/5: Monday morning & there were at least 5 cars in the parking lot when we arrived!  The conditions were fabulous!!  Thank you groomers! –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/5: It was all worth the long wait this snowless winter just to ski on the trail today!  Thanks to the groomers & Mother Nature. –Eau Claire & Ladysmith, WI

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Despite the warm weather & general lack of snow, we’ve had a surprisingly good winter of skiing at the Blue Hills Trail, and we were wondering last weekend if we would soon have to call it quits.  However, with new snow, we were lucky enough to enjoy fabulous cross country skiing conditions this weekend in the Blue Hills.  The February 29th HEAVY damp 14″ snowfall required a herculean grooming effort on Friday, March 2nd to get the core loop & beginner trail into shape for skiing.  On Friday alone, our groomers put 110 km on their two snowmobiles while repeatedly packing that 16 km section of trails.

Focusing on quality rather than quantity was the correct decision.  More grooming on Saturday & Sunday mornings mixed in fresh overnight snowfalls & created a firm skate lane, a solid classic track, and gave lots of happy skiers a true taste of winter.

Snowshoers were delighted as well, having a chance to tromp through deep snow for a change.  All in all, a beautiful weekend in the Hills!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/2: We followed the new snowshoe trail – what a nice aerobic walk!  Thanks for breaking trail, & thanks to John Kann for marking the trail with ribbons.  We also saw the deer beds in a perfect spot. –Apple Valley, MN
• 3/2: My sister & 2 girls, along with my son, all had a great time – their 1st time out – thanks! –Nebraska
• 3/2: Soft but lovable.  Skating fast & fun.  Pole plants an adventure.  Thank you God for the gift of snow. –Prairie Farm, WI
• 3/3: Thanks for the grooming.  EXCELLENT. –St. Paul, MN
• 3/3: Great job groomers!  Beautiful conditions today. –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/3: Maybe one of last outings on skiis.  Great 28° day with great grooming.  Thanks much all. –Rice Lake, WI
• 3/3: Nice day for a long ski!  We are tired & ready for a snooze!  Thanks groomers.  –Apple Valley, MN
• 3/3: Too much snow – can we have some of it for home?  Great ski. –St. Paul, MN
• 3/3: Our first time on the Eastside.  Beautiful pines & rolling hills.  Great trail conditions. –Birchwood, WI
• 3/4: Magnificent! –Hugo, MN
• 3/4: What a BLAST!  Thank you to the groomers! –Ladysmith, WI

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We were in the bulls eye for Wednesday’s snowstorm (Feb. 29) and received 14″ of HEAVY damp snow.  Mix & stir that stuff, allow to settle, and you were dealing with concrete.

The access road to the trail head was plowed by the township crew late Thursday afternoon – thanks for clearing our parking lot (bring a ladder to climb the berms!)

With hard to manipulate deep heavy snow – & another heat wave in the forecast – we decided to focus on preparing the core loop for weekend skiing.  This morning, our groomers went round & round & round & round until they were satisfied with a mostly smooth surface and a fairly firm base.  After recovering overnight, they plan on grooming the core loop again Saturday morning – this time using the G2 implements to set classic track while again packing the skate lane & creating skier friendly corduroy.  Catch it while it lasts!

Remember that snowshoers are welcome on the Blue Hills Trail.  There’s a dedicated snowshoe trail that starts behind the warming house.  And you can snowshoe on any of the ski trails, just stay to the side of the groomed surface.  Since we are limiting this weekend’s grooming to the core loop & the beginner loop (a total of 14km) – snowshoers & bushwhackers will find another 20km of ungroomed trails to explore.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/1: After the big snowfall yesterday, this afternoon we headed down the Firelane Road following the snowplow & watched Vern Chandler doze the parking lot.  We donned snowshoes & took a hike through a winter wonderland.  So much snow!  So fun to take it a little slower on shoes.  Found where the deer bedded down for the night under the pines. –Ladysmith, WI

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Birkie weekend offered great skiing in the Blue Hills.  Whether recovering from the Birkie, or discovering these trails for the 1st time, or returning for the 1000th time – Sunday skiers enjoyed wonderful conditions.

Winds blew in a dusting of snow Monday morning, the sun shone brilliantly, and temps peaked in the upper 20s.  This produced a gorgeous day on skis, a silent visit to the woods while exploring on firm packed powder.  And a wonderful opportunity to let your imagination loose while interpreting the fresh animal tracks (did you see the otter slide and tracks on 1/2-mile of trail between #5 & #6?).

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/25: Beautiful snowshoe trail! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/25: Escaped from brown drought to some of the finest skiing I think we’ve ever had.  Fantastic job by the groomers, awesome trails, & great snow conditions in a dire winter. –St. Paul, MN
• 2/25: Great time skiing after watching Birkie!  Wonderful trails in great shape.  Thanks! –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: Perfect day for a nice long ski!  –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/26: Stopped by on our way home from a visit to Birchwood.  Fun morning with great trails.  Beats no snow at home. –La Crosse, WI
• 2/26: Awesome day, awesome trails, awesome snow beats not having any snow in Eau Claire.  Glad we could come by to enjoy some great time out with my parents. –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/26: We’ve skied these awesome trails many times, but it was the first time we had brought our boys out here & their second time out skiing & they loved it!  Maybe the BarneBirkie next year?!!  –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/26: As always, Blue Hills was great XC skiing!  Went out twice over weekend & couldn’t ask for better trail conditions – wish it was a little closed to home! –Madison, WI
• 2/26: Good snow – great skiing – thanks. –Lake Mills, WI
• 2/26: Great fun with the kids.  Drove from Minnesota for some snow.  Thanks. –Stillwater, MN
• 2/27: Fantastic ski!  Blue sky; warmth of the sun; so quiet with the dusting of snow; solitude – what could be better?  Thanks for yesterday’s grooming!  Also, try the snowshoe trail that starts behind the warming house – it’s another world on that trail. –Ladysmith, WI

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Congratulations to everyone participating in the Birkie – job well done!

On your way home, take time to ski the Blue Hills Trail.  Skating & striding conditions were very good today – experience the beauty of the Blue Hills.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/24: Our first time here – looks great! –Lake Tomahawk, WI
• 2/24: Superb!!  Thank you groomers!  Westside wonderful!  Good luck Birkie skiers! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/24: We came from Iowa to ski the Blue Hills Trail.  Amazing grooming! –Des Moines, IA
• 2/24: Wendi won the race by 1/2 length!  Dan came on strong at the end but the Polish princess dominated the Norwegian ***again***.  Let it snow baby.  –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: Wow!  Gorgeous morning.  Phenomenal grooming! –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: I love skiing! –Pulaski, WI
• 2/25: Beautiful Day!  The trails are great! –Pulaski, WI
• 2/25: Awesome tracks on Westside! –Chetek, WI
• 2/25: Core loop on East in good shape; only one bare spot. –Minneapolis, MN

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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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How to view images: To see larger versions of the thumbnail photos, view each picture individually by clicking on the thumbnail; or you can “show as slideshow” by clicking the link above the images. To move quickly through the slideshow click the photos themselves. For either option, if you want to save the image for yourself, simply right click the full size image to obtain the original; higher quality images are available by contacting our website.  To avoid copyright infringement, reprints must credit the Blue Hills Trail Association, Inc.

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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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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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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It’s been a warm dry fall, allowing time to prepare the trails for the upcoming ski season.  If you’d like to reflect on the beauty of the Blue Hills Trail, take a look at the following video.  It’s guaranteed to get you ready for snow.

How to view the video: on the lower right corner of the video screen, choose one of two different resolutions – for those of you with a slower internet connection, select the 360p mode; for faster connections choose either 360p or 480p.  Pause and play buttons are available, as well as volume control.  When the control buttons disappear, hover your mouse over the video to find the controls.  Just give the various control options a try – be sure to try the full screen view (the rectangle on the lower right).  Enjoy the show!

Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, turn up your volume control, then sit back and relax.  See anyone you know?

If your time is short, try this version:

The past few days offered some of the best skate skiing of the winter, good edge control allowing your skis to run as fast as you dare.  With Spring beckoning, skiers aren’t the only ones enjoying these trails.  The pictures below show a few examples of skiers and critters making tracks.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house:

• 3/10: Beautifully groomed this morning – Spring’s in the air!  –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/11: Blazing fast ski today after glaze from last night.  Fun day! –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/12: Amazing skating – thanks to the great grooming!  Like a day in January – 25°F, packed powder and sugar snow, super edge control, fast downhill.  Wow!  –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/12: Thanks for the fabulous grooming!  Better than the best!!! –Eau Claire, WI
• 3/12: Great ski today.  Thanks groomers. –Ladysmith, WI

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Warm temps were present Sunday afternoon (Feb. 13) through Thursday evening (Feb. 17).  The base has diminished, but remains adequate throughout.  More seasonal temps are in the forecast for tomorrow and beyond.  Grooming will be resumed as soon as possible: if the base turns into an icy brick, we may need fresh snow before we can successfully groom.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house:

• Thanks for doing such a great job with these trails!  We enjoyed ourselves. –Prior Lake, MN
• Should have been beautiful at 8 this morning.  50 degrees at 2 p.m. made for quite a workout.  Should have brought classic skis today.  –author’s location unknown
• Warm, sunny weather = sticky snow but fun none the less!  8 yr old Emma did great! –author’s location unknown
• Warm, too much.  Going home for softer wax.  Too much slippage! –author’s location unknown
• Come back Father Winter with more snow and cooler temps!  Not ice – yet.  Slip and slide uphill and take your chances on the downhills.  Today I turned it into a double poling workout.  Pole plants are very solid :-)  –Sumner, WA
• Thank you for creating and maintaining such a wonderful site for skiing!  We could not have enjoyed ourselves more! –Eden Prairie, MN

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Tuesday’s grooming has held up well, and with temps in the low 20s, skiing today was excellent.  Brisk winds hurried the few clouds away, and bright sunshine highlighted the beauty of the trails.  Winds in the treetops deposited a small amount of trail litter, but this was not a problem.  A firm classic track was fast, and the skate lane was equally enjoyable.  Solid pole plants, fairly fast skating, good edge control – great skiing!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house:

• Beautiful day!  Sunshine, freshly groomed trails, snow is squeaky cold. –Ladysmith, WI
• Wow – first time here, had a fabulous day of skiing!!  Best anniversary present ever! –River Falls, WI
• Family brought me out to introduce me to XC skiing!  Beautiful day and great company.  Nothing like this in Palm Springs, CA!  Of course, it’s a bit warmer there too and only snow on the peaks. –Palm Springs, CA

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