Sugar Hills was groomed today, Cowhorn Lake (including the Boomer Blue) and River Road Trails were groomed yesterday. All in good to excellent condition so it should be a great weekend of skiing.
Saturday, March 7 is Springloppet at Sugar Hills, site of the popular now retired Vinterloppet race. Sponsored by Minnesota Biathlon, race coordinator is Vladimir Cervenka. There will be a Candy Cup race for kids, too!
Friday, February 27, 2009
legion trails
Legion was groomed today. The skate lane and track looked excellent from the groomer. Dress warm the next couple of days and enjoy the skiing.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Legion trails
Legion was groomed today. The skate lane was combed and a new track set. The trail is in great shape. The sun is becoming much stronger and any place the trail is exposed, especially south facing slopes, are softening during the day. As long as air temps stay fairly low the trail will hold up for a while. Grooming will continue as long as conditions allow.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Weather Big Picture for February 23-March 1
Thursday AM update:
Wow! The storm system snuck north a bit. Light snow will continue today and end by this evening. Accumulations will range from an inch in the far northern part of the area with several inches near Brainerd. Snows will be heavier in southern Minnesota with some local 8"+ likely in the Twin Cities. Temperatures will be below average late this week and into early next week.
Get your skiing in this week. At this time of year, melting conditions could arrive at just about any time. The numerical weather prediction models indicate a possibility of rain by March 4/5. Before then, conditions will be great for skiing.
(Original):
There will be no major weather pattern changes this week. The temperature will warm to near freezing on Tuesday and then cool off by the end of the week with highs in the teens and lows below zero. Occasional light snow will occur during the week as we will be in the "zone" where temperature contrast is largest (subzero weather just across the border in Canada, above freezing in southern Minnesota on Tuesday). However, there are no major storms looming. Overall, additional light snows on top of the refreshed snow pack we have in place now should make for some excellent skiing this week.
Wow! The storm system snuck north a bit. Light snow will continue today and end by this evening. Accumulations will range from an inch in the far northern part of the area with several inches near Brainerd. Snows will be heavier in southern Minnesota with some local 8"+ likely in the Twin Cities. Temperatures will be below average late this week and into early next week.
Get your skiing in this week. At this time of year, melting conditions could arrive at just about any time. The numerical weather prediction models indicate a possibility of rain by March 4/5. Before then, conditions will be great for skiing.
(Original):
There will be no major weather pattern changes this week. The temperature will warm to near freezing on Tuesday and then cool off by the end of the week with highs in the teens and lows below zero. Occasional light snow will occur during the week as we will be in the "zone" where temperature contrast is largest (subzero weather just across the border in Canada, above freezing in southern Minnesota on Tuesday). However, there are no major storms looming. Overall, additional light snows on top of the refreshed snow pack we have in place now should make for some excellent skiing this week.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sugar Hills trail conditions
All the major trails at Sugar Hills were groomed and new track set this afternoon(thursday the 19th). The inch plus of new snow helped cover up the ice that the warm weather had formed, the result is trail conditions in great shape. Sugar Hills Skiing should be excellent thru the weekend, for those of us who aren't heading for Hayward.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Coach's Corner by Mark Walters BHS Nordic Ski Coach
The Bemidji High School's Nordic ski team ended its 2008/2009 season with Zac Oelrich, earning all-state honors, and Matt Lee and Molly Manske, taking 93rd and 86th respectively in their first state appearance.
Bemidji's Zac Oelrich capped off his senior yr. with a stunning performance for the day, earning a spot in the top 25 overall in the state meet. Zac placed 24th after starting the afternoon's pursuit race in 16th place but met up with some unfortunate luck 2 KM into the event when he ran into two fallen skiers costing him a number of places in the event. As a true competitor, Zac commented "that's ski racing" and ended his High School career in style.
Matt Lee and Molly Manske came into the state meet for the first time as juniors and will be back next year as seniors to see just how much they can improve on this season's showing. Just getting to the state meet is a great accomplishment. Only 240 skiers, 120 boys and 120 girls, represent the state's best skiers. This year, 62 schools were represented at the state meet giving a well balance showing of our state's talent. Go to skinnyski.com and check out all of the state results.
The State meet, held at Giants Ridge Ski and Golf Resort, officially ends the 2008/2009 Minnesota Nordic skiing season. Many of our skiers will continue to race and participate in local and regional events.
Thanks for the great season,
Coach Walters
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Weather Big Picture for February 16-22
Wednesday update: Colder than average temperatures will round out the week with highs in the single digits to teens and lows just below zero. We will have a chance of light snow or snow showers Friday with a dusting to half inch of accumulation. Next week will bring more chances of snow-- greatest along the Baudette to International Falls snowbelt that seems to be the epicenter for snowfall this season.
-----------------------------------
Slightly snowier... maybe.
First of all, many thanks to the groomers for getting to many of the trails after the rain last week. It's nice to have another couple weeks to ski.
An area of low pressure will be slowly organizing over the next couple days in the central United States. Also, an upper level weather disturbance will be moving across southern Canada. Eventually, these two systems will merge into one large storm system over Michigan. As this happens, scattered areas of light snow will be present over the area through Wednesday. The heaviest amounts will be along the international border, where 3" will likely fall on top of what has already fallen Monday morning. Another band of 3" or so will be found across northern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and southern Wisconsin. In the KAXE listening area, this week has a better chance than any of the last four weeks for a snowfall in the 1-2" range. Still, I'd rate that chance at only 30-40% in Grand Rapids and Bemidji with the most likely amount in the 0.2" to 0.5" range. The storm system will depart our area Wednesday night.
On Friday, a fairly intense but moisture-starved low pressure system will drop south out of Canada and bring more light snow to the area. Amounts will most likely be in the 0.1-0.5" range.
Temperatures will be mild Monday and Tuesday with highs in the upper 20s and lows generally no colder than about 20, but as the storm system departs, it will pull in colder air, and highs Thursday and Friday will be mostly in the low-mid teens with lows near zero. The weather for the Birkie on Saturday looks breezy (northwest winds) with highs in the mid teens.
We're entering what typically is our "second season" for snowfall. As I'm looking into the "dreamland" portion of the numerical model prognostications, I'm starting to see indications for a storm somewhere in the central U.S. in the February 23-26 time period. However, the pattern evolution leading up to next week does not remind me of anything that leads up to a significant snow event for us. In particular, I think the pattern may favor rain rather than snow, but it's pretty hard to tell so far in advance.
-Bob
-----------------------------------
Slightly snowier... maybe.
First of all, many thanks to the groomers for getting to many of the trails after the rain last week. It's nice to have another couple weeks to ski.
An area of low pressure will be slowly organizing over the next couple days in the central United States. Also, an upper level weather disturbance will be moving across southern Canada. Eventually, these two systems will merge into one large storm system over Michigan. As this happens, scattered areas of light snow will be present over the area through Wednesday. The heaviest amounts will be along the international border, where 3" will likely fall on top of what has already fallen Monday morning. Another band of 3" or so will be found across northern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, and southern Wisconsin. In the KAXE listening area, this week has a better chance than any of the last four weeks for a snowfall in the 1-2" range. Still, I'd rate that chance at only 30-40% in Grand Rapids and Bemidji with the most likely amount in the 0.2" to 0.5" range. The storm system will depart our area Wednesday night.
On Friday, a fairly intense but moisture-starved low pressure system will drop south out of Canada and bring more light snow to the area. Amounts will most likely be in the 0.1-0.5" range.
Temperatures will be mild Monday and Tuesday with highs in the upper 20s and lows generally no colder than about 20, but as the storm system departs, it will pull in colder air, and highs Thursday and Friday will be mostly in the low-mid teens with lows near zero. The weather for the Birkie on Saturday looks breezy (northwest winds) with highs in the mid teens.
We're entering what typically is our "second season" for snowfall. As I'm looking into the "dreamland" portion of the numerical model prognostications, I'm starting to see indications for a storm somewhere in the central U.S. in the February 23-26 time period. However, the pattern evolution leading up to next week does not remind me of anything that leads up to a significant snow event for us. In particular, I think the pattern may favor rain rather than snow, but it's pretty hard to tell so far in advance.
-Bob
Friday, February 13, 2009
Friday the 13th
Yup....just like they say in the old country, "what could go wrong did go wrong." Steve Fuller and I headed to Sugar Hills this morning to groom up those premium trails and a belt broke on the snowmobile I was using. Then a belt broke on Steve's snowmobile. Despite all the bad vibes the trails turned out fantastic. The skate lane is combed and a new track was set, so don't give up yet and get out there for great traditional skiing or skating with your sweetheart. Friday the 13th is almost over. Boomer The Groomer
Blueberry trails will be groomed tomorrow if conditions cooperate.
Blueberry trails will be groomed tomorrow if conditions cooperate.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Trails Are Fragile - Please Stay Off
Due to the warm temperatures and rain please stay off all ski and snowmobile trails. They are extremely soft and fragile and damage can occur until freezing temperatures. Thanks, the groomers appreciate your cooperation! Boomer
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Weather Big Picture for February 9-15
Update (Saturday):
It's been six weeks since the last >1" snowfall in Grand Rapids. We could use one now, but the pattern remains unfavorable for the next couple weeks at least. Along the Canadian border, it's been an entirely different story. International Falls has doubled our snowfall this season, and they've been routinely getting 2" snowfalls. Perhaps Bemidji and Grand Rapids could see another light dusting (~0.1") on Monday as yet another system moves along the Canadian border to the North Shore with 2-4". On the positive side, we've still got snow (there's no snow left in southern Minnesota), and Boomer is grooming the trails. Temperatures will be below average this weekend with highs in the low teens recovering to near average (highs in the 20s) during the week.
Original (Sunday evening):
We'll be getting some rain this week in addition to a 36-48 hour period of melting snow. The high temperatures in the 30s on Friday and Sunday did not do much damage to the ski trails because the clear skies, low humidity, and brief period of warmth kept prevented much melting. This time, however, the persistent, cloudy, drizzly/rainy weather we are about to experience will definitely diminish the snow pack. I'm not sure how the groomers deal with this type of situation, but my best estimate is the temperature will climb above freezing Monday morning and hover in the 34-38 degree range until Tuesday night when it drops back to around freezing, but it could be as long as Wednesday evening before the temperature drops enough to refreeze things. Total rainfall will probably be about 0.5" in Grand Rapids. My guess is the snow depth in the woods will diminish from about 15-18" now to about 9-14" by Tuesday night. I'm not great at predicting snow melt, but I think there may some opportunity to groom the trails after this system if one gets out shortly after freezup and before the slush gets too hard. (FYI, I skied Suomi this weekend, and Boomer and company did a fantastic job there on Friday).
Thereafter, the rest of the week should be dry. Temperatures will fall to slightly below average by this weekend with highs in the teens and lows near zero. Looking farther ahead, the large scale pattern looks unfavorable for new snow.
Do be careful driving over the next couple days. Even if the air temperature is warm, the roads are still cold after a lot of subzero weather this winter, so driving may be quite icy-- especially on side roads.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Trail Grooming Update
Cowhorn Lake groomed Thursday, February 5th and Suomi/Amen Trails groomed Friday, February 6th. Both trails are in good to very good condition.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Sugar Hills trail conditions
Wednesday, 4 Feb. I groomed at Sugar Hills today, the warm temperatures last weekend,followed by sub-zero temperatures made it tough to get a good surface. The Classic track is in good shape has a dusting of fresh snow, it should be good striding. I groomed the skate lane on the rest of the system and the skiing should be excellent the rest of the week. Tornado Bob is forecasting melting temperatures starting Friday or Saturday, maybe some rain!!! Since we have a decent base hopefully it will hold up and be groomable once it cools down again. Thanks to all the skiers that picked up all the sticks littering the trails, especially the tree on the Rajala Run.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Coach's Corner by Mark Walters BHS Nordic Ski Coach
The regular cross country ski season as come to an end for the 2008/2009 ski season. Most of section 8 attended the Buena Vista Pursuit race held just north of Bemidji, MN on Tuesday, January 27th.
Many of the coaches used the event to select their running order for the upcoming sectional meet on Wednesday, February 4th. Sections this year will be held on the Camp Ripley course with the girls classical event at 10 pm and the boys classical event at 11 pm. This timed start will set the stage for the afternoon's pursuit race. The girls go out at 1:30 pm and the boys at 2:30 pm. The pursuit format has the fastest classical skier going out first, followed by the next fastest skier back by their time difference and so on down the line. It' a very exciting type of race with lots of stategy and speed.
The section 8 outlook has the number 5 state ranked Grand Rapids boys looking pretty strong in the sectional meet with Bemidji close behind. The girls have two state ranked teams, Little Falls and Grand Rapids, with the 'edge' going to Little Falls.
One boys team and one girls team will go onto the state meet, along with the next eight fastest individual, boys and girls, to make up the skiers representing section 8. All in all that's 30 skiers from our area going to the state meet on February 13th at Giants Ridge.
Many of the coaches used the event to select their running order for the upcoming sectional meet on Wednesday, February 4th. Sections this year will be held on the Camp Ripley course with the girls classical event at 10 pm and the boys classical event at 11 pm. This timed start will set the stage for the afternoon's pursuit race. The girls go out at 1:30 pm and the boys at 2:30 pm. The pursuit format has the fastest classical skier going out first, followed by the next fastest skier back by their time difference and so on down the line. It' a very exciting type of race with lots of stategy and speed.
The section 8 outlook has the number 5 state ranked Grand Rapids boys looking pretty strong in the sectional meet with Bemidji close behind. The girls have two state ranked teams, Little Falls and Grand Rapids, with the 'edge' going to Little Falls.
One boys team and one girls team will go onto the state meet, along with the next eight fastest individual, boys and girls, to make up the skiers representing section 8. All in all that's 30 skiers from our area going to the state meet on February 13th at Giants Ridge.
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