02/07/12,  6:52 a.m.

If Skyway Snotel is behaving, less than an inch fell over the past 24 hours, which I find surprising here from my sick bay window.    Weather looks somewhat cooperative for the full moon set tonight.  You will see at least some moon at some point!    Today’s high around 23 with mostly sunny sky’s, but looking outside right now you’d never know it.    Grooming to begin this a.m. out of Skyway.

Skyway:

Sunset: set 02/05/12 late for Classic and for Skate.

Winslow:  set 02/05 for Classic and Skate

Lion’s Loop: set02/05/12 for Classic and Skate.

Arroyo: set 02/04/12 for Classic and Skate.

Vista Ridge:  set 02/04/12 for Classic and Skate.  Hardly touched.

Vista Valley: set 02/05/12 for Classic and Skate.

Kannah Crossing:  set 02/05/12 for Classic and Skate.

Scales Lake: set 02/05/12 for Skate  and 02/04/12 for Classic

Will’s Hill: set 02/04/12.

County Line:  

Dog Loop:  set 02/05/12 for Classic and Skate.

Tower: set 02/05/12 for Classic and for Skate, Kannah to Overlook.

Overlook: set 02/05/12 for Classic and Skate.  Double pass to add some width.

Loop 1: set 02/04/12 for Classic and Skate

Loop 2: set 02/05/12 for Classic and Skate

Scales Glade:  partial track pack by sled.   Lots of trenches from skidding.    Logs and brush o’plenty.

Ward Creek Ski and Snowshoe Park:

Ward Trail:  set for Classic 02/03/12 then picked up another couple later yesterday.

dc 02/07/12 6:55 a.m.

1/23/12  4:22 a.m.

Highway 65 is once again open and grooming will begin early this morning.   Reports of heavy drifting, incredible waving and more snow coming have all filtered in in the past 12 hours.   Had a peak at Skyway yesterday-whoa!

Skyway:

First off Monday a.m.-use Vista Ridge and Kannah Crossing to access County Line.

County Line: On a delay.

Ward:

Ward Trail- packed and rolled over 18-24″ new  top to bottom.   Observe the slide off the highway below the lower parking lot.   Much of that about the state.  Who will be first?

dc 01/23/12   Happy Birthday Maya!

01/24/12 6:59 a.m.

Snow continues to fall Tuesday morning throughout the system with 3″ new on the floor and more on the way.  Should clear by noon and we’ll get back on the groom then.   The last storm totals ranged from 15-24″ with drifts of rather large stature.  Expect to see some minor track blow in and drifting again today.

Skyway:

Sunset: set 01/23/12 for Classic and Skate.

Winslow:  set 1/23/12 for Classic and Skate

Lion’s Loop: set01/23/12 for Classic and Skate.

Arroyo: set 01/21/12 with sprint course work in progress.  Use caution.

Vista Ridge:  set 01/23/12 for Classic and  Skate.

Vista Valley: set 01/19/12.  First off later on today.

Kannah Crossing:  set 01/23/12 for Classic and 1/19 for Skate.

Scales Lake: set 1/23/12 for Classic and Skate.

Will’s Hill: set 01/23/12

County Line:  

Dog Loop:  set 1/23/12 for Classic and Skate.

Tower: set 1/23/12 for Classic and 1/19 for Skate.   What a difference some snow makes!  Almost out of the trench of the haul road.

Overlook: set 1/23/12 for Classic and Skate.

Loop 1:  natural-excellent snow shoeing.

Loop 2: natural-excellent snow shoeing.

Scales Glade:  exploratory scheduled for Wednesday.

Ward Creek Ski and Snowshoe Park:

Ward Trail:  set 1/22/12 with a track pack and roll.

dc 01/24/12 7:05 a.m.

Friday 12/16/11  5:27 a.m.

Tree’s up.  Took her down(with permit) south of County Line.  Like a bad country song.  Straight trunk.   Standing room only in the house now.

Three guys on sleds hit County Line yesterday, also with permit.  We got jacked off of skid roads, dusted by drifts, and yelled at by skiers.  Sorry if the magic squeegee elf helicopter was broken.    I guess some were fooled by the rollers we were dragging, latest thing in back country ‘doo riding.

Groomers Holiday today.  Hot tubs, back rubs (I hope) and a fixin’ or two of some equipment.   None of us are getting any younger, and nobody got hurt.  Not even the new guy, but he has now mastered the Fred Flintstone maneuver.  Welcome to the club Shawn!

Here is the very latest, and what shape it has taken!

New snow is still skiing soft.  We will be back out tomorrow pounding it into submission.

Peace on Earth.

Skyway:

Sunset: set 12/15/11 for  Classic and  Skate.

Winslow: set for Classic and Skate 12/15/11. Mini Coaster.

Lion’s Loop: set 12/15/11 for Classic and  Skate.

Arroyo: set 12/15/11 for Classic and Skate

Vista Ridge:  set 12/15/11 for Classic and Skate.

Vista Valley: set 12/15/11 for Classic and  Skate.

Kannah Crossing: the big drifter- set 12/15/11 for Skate.  Classic set was to be on the way back from CL yesterday.  Broke the setter.  Was thinking about dragging the new guy with his feet spread apart precisely on the way home, then thought better.

Scales Lake:  set for Classic 12/14/11 and Skate 12/154/11.

Will’s Hill-no track set, but plenty of groomed room to get through for the thrill of will and the hill.

County Line: 

Wheeeeewwww.   Some day.    We hit it all, skid roads, trucking highways, even a few new shots.   All trail are now rolled, no track set.  Poles would sink anyways.   We’ll be holding our own little opening weekend come Saturday with a set.  Maybe Andy Daly and a Gart brother will show up!  Andy-I still apologize for the burnt pancakes back in ’84.  Just look at us now-

Ward Creek:

Ward Trail: Rolled two wide on Thursday.   Setter in the shop (my garage).   Actuator failure actually.

dc 12/16/11  5:48 a.m.

11/02/11

After 10″ of new last night,  Scales Lake Rd was set in its entirety for both Classic and Skate.  Conditions are soft, coverage is good.  Should see some firming overnight.  Forecast calls for clearing and sunny skies into Thursday and Friday, a slight chance of more snow Friday night was mentioned.

Please be aware that although the road is impassable by wheeled vehicle at this writing, you may see some workers from the various lease holders using snowmobiles and/or cats to gain access as they move to shut off valves and head gates associated with the public water system.    The microwave tower has been recently serviced,  but that does not eliminate WAPA from the equation either until they can access using the S & P trail.

dc    2 p.m. Wednesday

GMNC is now accepting applications for the position of Lead Groomer for the 2011-2012 season.   For a complete Job Description click on the link below.

Qualified parties are urged to apply with an outline of their relevant qualifications and experience to gmnordic@gmail.com.  Place “Lead Groomer” in the subject line.

Grand Mesa Nordic Council Lead Groomer Job Description 2011

With our still healthy and shiny Pisten Bully up on blocks for the Summer season, the Council continues to move forward with several projects.

REI has graciously provided us with a grant of $5000.00 for some trail improvement at County Line coupled with the development of a host program to further encourage membership, involvement, and stewardship of the public lands we utilize.

Our fundraising arm has been hard at work with a goal of raising $10,000.00 for a warming hut.   More on that below.

My tomatoes are kinda off this year, but the fact that I am getting some at all reminds me of the approach of Summer’s end, and thoughts of wax, fast skis and early season grooming aches and pains.

dc

Posted Sunday, April 17, 2011  7:30 a.m.

Overview:  Grooming for the 2010-2011 season has ended, but it was our pleasure to serve  membership and user’s (read potential members) cross country experience to the best of our ability.   We are all very fortunate to have this resource as well as the staff, volunteers, board, equipment and member support to enhance it for recreational pursuits.

GMNC – no lifts, only (groomed) lines…..the best value in Colorado skiing.

Update: May 1

The Snowtel site at Skyway continues to broadcast season high readings.  Crust skiing conditions, as to which we get many requests, have not developed on any consistent basis.  the best thing to do is watch the weather patterns, look for a few days of somewhat consistent sun and warmth with reasonably cool overnight temperatures, and make your move early a.m.    Share any information by using our “contact” tab and we’ll post here.

Posted Saturday, March 26, 2011  5:06 p.m.

Overview:  Snowmaking resumes again tonight, with 3-5″ forecast, then a chance 0f 3-7″ Sunday and another 3-5″ Sunday night.   Throw in Monday’s anticipated 3-7″ on top of that, and the Spring showers may give us a foot or more.   All odd numbers listed-guess it doesn’t snow “even” any more.   We’ll see how tomorrow shapes up before committing to the groom.  Might go all too quickly as it stands now.   Twas to be the day to begin our groomed terrain reduction program.

Today made for one of the better we’ve had this March if you’re up for clear skies and great skiing.   Familiar faces were spotted throughout the system, taking it all in again.

Skyway:   set Saturday

Sunset- Classic and Skate 

Winslow-  Classic and Skate

Lion’s- Classic and Skate

Vista Ridge-Classic and Skate

Arroyo-Classic and Skate

Vista Valley- Classic and Skate

Scales Lake- Classic and Skate

Will’s Hill- Classic and Skate

County Line: set Saturday

Dog Loop:  Classic and Skate

Tower: (Former Dog Trail and Scales past the tower site to the overlook): Classic and Skate

Loop 1: Classic and Skate

Loop 2:  Classic and Skate

Overlook: (former Loop 3 section from parking lot to overlook)  Classic and Skate

Scales Glade: (former Loop 3 section from old Dog Trail back to Loop 2) Classic and Skate 

Ward:

Ward Trail: No longer groomed, but the skiing goes on……

dc 5;15 p.m. 3/26/11

Posted Wednesday, March 23, 2011

New snow amounts vary when you add in the wind factor.  Grooming began at Skyway this morning and will move over to County Line as the day moves on.   Forecast calls for more snow through the weekend, kind of in an irritating piddly fashion from a maintenance standpoint.   We’ll re-set accordingly.