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Door County Cross Country Ski Report for March 21, 2013

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My condolences to those of you who don’t like to ski. For the rest of us, we are loving this March weather!

Janelle Peotter snow bathing

“What shall I name this? Skier down? Training for tanning in Costa Rica? Post Birkie recuperation? Placement advertising for Atomic skis?”

The temperatures have stayed below freezing and we have continued to get flurries. Most areas of Door County saw another four inches of new snow in the earlier part of the week. All ski areas are open and mostly in great shape!

Current ski conditions are as follows:

Potawatomi State Park
Conditions: Pot Park trails were groomed Tuesday afternoon. Trails have a very good base and with the volume of snow we’ve received, many of the low spots have been filled in, so they are relatively smooth. Because of the variance in daily temperature, the best time to ski is early morning, before the snow gets soft. The next 5-day forecast is predicting mostly below freezing temps, so the trails should hold up well through the weekend. (3/20/13 Ron Maloney)

Whitefish Dunes State Park
Conditions: Last new snow, 4″ on March 18. Trail conditions – good to very good, excellent in many areas. All trails were packed and track set on March 20. Track is full depth and firming up in most areas. Areas where there is significant drifting will be somewhat soft until a few days of the thaw-freeze cycle, after which they should firm up consistently. Trails are relatively free of debris and have a solid base of more than 6-8″. It is somewhat amazing to have these fine trail conditions on the first day of spring. Now is the time to get out during these waning days of winter. (3/20/13 Rich Dirks)

Crossroads at Big Creek 
Conditions: The Crossroads had a snowfall of 3″ this week. After the winds died down, the trails were rolled on Tuesday afternoon and firmed up nicely overnight. A track was set on Wednesday afternoon. Skiing is very good and should continue through the weekend. (3/20/13 Jim Maki)

Peninsula State Park
Conditions: Snow depth varies with up to ten inches on the trails. All trails were groomed on Tuesday and are in excellent condition except for the white loop from Lot 1, as there is spring water on this trail. It is suggested that skiers access the trails from Lot 5 or Lot 3 due to water on the white loop. (3/21/13 Jeff Pfeifer)

Newport State Park
Conditions:  Trails just groomed today – Thursday March 21. We received more than four inches of new snow this week. Trails have good coverage and are in fair to good condition. (3/21/13 Casey St. Henry)

 For more detailed information about trails and conditions, visit: DoorCountySilentSports.org.

Door County Cross Country Ski Trail Report for March 8, 2013

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This past week was a great time to ski just about anywhere in Door County.

Cross-country skiing at Snowkraft in Door County - Caitlyn Jefferys and Jim Hinnenthal

At Snowkraft 2/2/2013 – Caitlyn Jefferys and Jim Hinnenthal skiing the orchard, training for the Birkie. Photo by Chesla Seely-Anschutz

If you can get out today, tonight or Saturday morning, it is highly recommended as we have at best a wintery mix in the forecast for Saturday, but maybe snow again on Sunday. Spring skiing is always better in the early morning hours after conditions have firmed up overnight and our night time temperatures look consistently low for the next week. If we can hang on to enough snow tomorrow, we should have skiing for another week! Please, please, please – if you see folks walking on the trails, ask them nicely to get off the ski trails. Walkers put holes in the trail, these depressions allow warm air to get under the snowcover and melt the snow from the bottom up. This type of melting will destroy the trail very quickly.

Currently ski conditions are as follows:

Potawatomi State Park
Conditions:  Trails still in good condition.  The black and the blue trails were last groomed on Monday March 4th.  The skate decks were leveled and classic tracks were reset.   All trails are open and in good shape.  Classic tracks hard and fast.  Skate lanes hard and icy.   (3/8/13 Leif Hagman)

Whitefish Dunes State Park 
Conditions are holding at good to very good at Whitefish Dunes for traditional diagonal stride skiing.  Melting and refreezing conditions will exist throughout the week creating variable snow conditions.  There is about 10 inches of snow in the park.  Trails were last groomed on Thursday, February 28th and are in good condition. The trails will be “fast” in the morning and “slower” in the afternoon due to longer daylight hours.  (3/5/13 Dick Weidman)

Crossroads at Big Creek
Conditions: Ski conditions are very good especially in the morning.  Trails were last groomed on Monday March 4th.   Good classic ski track is set.  Could get a “wintery mix” on Saturday so get out and ski now if you can.  Remember that we have a community ski every Sunday from 1:30 to 3:30 with free use of our cross country ski equipment.  (3/8/13 Coggin Heeringa)

Peninsula State Park 
Snow depth is about 8-12 inches in the park.  Cross-country ski trails trails were last groomed on Sunday March 3rd and are in very good to excellent condition.  No reports of debris on the trails.  Conditions a bit soft and sticky during the day but it has been freezing up at night.  Snowshoe/hiking trails are in good condition too but please remember that hiking and snowshoeing are not allowed on ski trails. (3/8/13 Peninsula Park office staff)

Newport State Park
It was wonderful to have our trails open and in great condition for so many weeks now after a couple of years with little snow. Trails last groomed for classic on Monday March 4th.  Trails are in good to excellent condition.  Tracks are surprisingly hard and fast early in the morning but soften up in the afternoon.  (3/8/13 Newport office)

 For more detailed information about trails and conditions, go to: doorcountysilentsports.org.

Door County Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Trail Report for March 1, 2013

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All of Door County received even more snow in recent days and we are now experiencing what January should have looked and felt like, as far as average temperature and snow depth.

In other words, ski conditions are excellent all over Door County and the weather is continually supporting the snow quality by remaining below freezing throughout the days. Continuing cold weather is predicted, with more snow expected in the immediate forecast. Now, is the time to ski Door County!

Somewhere in Paradise...

Somewhere in Paradise…

Groomers report the following conditions:

Potawatomi State Park:
Excellent condition. The trails were groomed this morning at Potawatomi  Park. The skate lanes were rolled and new
tracks set. Snow is soft, but the trails are in excellent condition. All trails are open and in great shape. (2/28/13 Ron Maloney)

Whitefish Dunes State Park:  
New snow fell on Wednesday, February 27, adding to the snow base. There is about 10 inches of snow in the park. Blowing snow may cause some drifting in open areas, but not enough to cover the tracks.  Cross-country ski trails were last groomed on Thursday, February 28 and are in excellent condition. The trails will be “fast” in the morning and “slower” in the afternoon due to longer daylight hours. Trails at Whitefish Dunes are groomed for classic skiing only. Hiking and snowshoe trails also exist. When ski trails are groomed for skiing, hikers and snowshoers must keep off the ski trails. The Black Trail and beach are open to hikers and snowshoers. There is no hiking or snowshoeing allowed on or next to any ski trail (Red, Yellow or Green trails). The Brachiopod trail does
not make a continuous loop during the ski season; those wishing to see the wetland are asked to return on the Black trail.  (2/28/13 Carolyn Rock)

Crossroads at Big Creek:  
Ski conditions are very good, with 5″ of new snow falling on Thursday and Friday. All trails were rolled on Friday afternoon. Track will be set on Saturday afternoon. Should be great skiing through the weekend. (2/23/13 Jim Maki)

Peninsula State Park:
Snow depth is about 8-12 inches in the park. Cross-country ski trails trails were groomed on Friday, March 1 and
are in very good to excellent condition. Snowshoe/hiking trails are in good condition. Please, remember that hiking and snowshoeing are not allowed on ski trails. (3/1/13 Peninsula Park Website)

Newport State Park:
Trails now have 4″ or more of fresh snow, from a few days ago. Trail was groomed today. (3/1). Trail is in good to excellent condition with quite a bit of small debris on the ground due to the extremely windy conditions. Tracks are surprisingly hard and fast. Despite the debris, the skiing is the best so far this year!  (3/1/13 Casey St Henry)

For more detailed information about trails and conditions, go to: doorcountysilentsports.org.

Door County Cross Country Ski Report for February 22, 2013

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All of Door County received several more inches of snow in recent days and a few more inches are in the forecast.

trail grooming at Snowkraft Nordic

Thanks to the unsung heroes…

Fortunately the temperatures have stayed below freezing recently so the freeze-thaw cycle has stopped. Skiers should find all trails in great condition. Good luck to all headed to the Birkie this weekend! Groomers report the following conditions:

Potawatomi State Park  
Conditions:  Excellent condition. Potawatomi Park was groomed today. Skate & classic are both excellent. All trails are open and in good shape. Trails are in the best condition of the year. (2/19/13 Ron Maloney)

Whitefish Dunes State Park
Conditions: Very good. New snow fell on Thursday, February 14 adding five inches to the previous 5 inch base. Trails are open and were groomed on Friday, February 15. They are considered to be in good to excellent condition. Trails are groomed for classic skiing only. (2/15/13 Rich Dirks)

Crossroads at Big Creek
Conditions: Very good. Over 5″ of new snow. All trails were rolled on Tuesday afternoon. Trails will be rolled again on Wednesday morning as there was a lot of drifting in open areas over night. All trails will be tracked later Wednesday when the wind settles down. Skiing will be very good through the weekend. (2/20/13 Jim Maki)

Peninsula State Park
Good to very good. Everything out of lot 5 is groomed – Yellow, orange, red, blue, and green. On my second loop I notice that Bob was grooming the purple. His plans were to groom the purple and white, therefore the only part that might not be groomed is the black. With 4″ of new snow, the skiing should be good to very good. The only problem or deterrent is that there are a lot of branches bent over the trail. Anyone out there skiing could help by shaking a few branches as you pass by. (2/19/13 Greg Sunstrom)

Newport State Park
Good and will probably be better after tomorrow. Groomed Newport Thursday morning. It’s not great, but if we get a few inches Friday, I will get out that night and thoroughly groom everything. (2/22/13 Casey St Henry)

For more detailed information about trails and conditions, go to: doorcountysilentsports.org.

Door County Cross Country Ski Report for February 2, 2013

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Door County was blessed with about eight inches of snow across the peninsula on Thursday.

This means that all cross country ski areas are open for the first time in two years. The cold weather today is a blessing to set the snow as the ground was very wet from rain earlier in the week. This weekend should be an ideal time to go cross country skiing. Consider taking the Ski the Door Challenge: Can you ski all five ski areas in one weekend!

Cross-country skiing at Snowkraft in Door County - Caitlyn Jefferys and Jim Hinnenthal

At Snowkraft 2/2/2013 – Caitlyn Jefferys and Jim Hinnenthal skiing the orchard, training for the Birkie. Photo by Chesla Seely-Anschutz

Potawatomi State Park Conditions:
Trails groomed today for both skating and classic. There is a lot of water under the snow which made grooming very difficult. While we are forecast to have very cold temperatures tonight and tomorrow the current snow cover will act as an insulator and my not allow the underlying water to freeze. If it does freeze up the trails will be very nice. If it doesn’t freeze the trails may be slushy in spots. Currently the trail is snow covered but soft and in fair condition. (1/31/13 Ron Maloney)

Whitefish Dunes State Park Conditions:
Trail Conditions – fair to good. The 9+ inches of relatively dry snow was packed and track set on Thursday. The trails set up somewhat soft given the dryness of the snow, but should become firmer with the cold weather. The track set up at full depth, but the pole plant areas will probably be a little soft. There are a few areas where ponding water from the recent warm weather created areas of slush that has yet to freeze up. It is anticipated that once these areas freeze up they will be very icy so caution is advised until ‘repairs’ can be made. (1/31/13 Rich Dirks)

Crossroads at Big Creek Conditions:
Skied Crossroads trails at sunset and there is plenty of snow but it really needs some grooming. No traditional track and no washboard, but it is packed. (2/2/13 Editor)

We received over 7″ of snow at the Crossroads on Wednesday. Trails were rolled Thursday morning. The snow has a lot of moisture, therefore, it will need to freeze over the course of the day. Also encountered a few wet areas on the trail with standing water. Trails will be rolled for the final time Thursday evening. Over night they should set up very nicely. A track will be set Friday morning. Skiing should be very good Friday afternoon and throughout the weekend. (1/31/13 Jim Maki)

Peninsula State Park Conditions:
Everything at Peninsula is groomed including the skating. Everything is fair to good, most are good there are a few spots that should freeze over this evening. We received 6-7 inches. Peninsula Park can be included in Ski the Door this weekend. Our candle light ski is also a go and starts at 5:30 pm on Saturday. There will be a fire at the half way point to warm up at. (1/31/13 Greg Sunstrom)

Newport State Park Conditions:
8+ inches of fresh new snow has fallen! All trails are open for skiing and snowshoeing, but they are not yet groomed. The groomer hopes to get out Friday to get everything done.(1/31/13 Casey St Henry)

For more detailed information about trails and conditions, go to: doorcountysilentsports.org.

Door County Cross Country Ski Report for January 27, 2013

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After losing all of its snow cover due to warm temperatures a few weeks ago, Door County finally received about five inches of light fluffy snow on Thursday evening and at the time of this posting, it is snowing heavily once again.

The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in effect from 3 pm Sunday through 9 am Monday:

Snow is expected to begin by mid-afternoon Sunday, mixing with sleet Sunday evening and then mixing with freezing rain Monday night. One to three inches of snow accumulation is possible near the bay and lake with 2-4 inches farther northwest, along with up to one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation.

Hazardous travel conditions are expected to begin Sunday afternoon and continue through Sunday night. Drivers should be prepared for slippery road conditions and limited visibility. A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. The latest Wisconsin road conditions can be obtained by calling 511.

Trail groomers have been out working in some areas and report the following conditions:

Potawatomi State Park Conditions: Groomed on January 25. The low moisture snow that fell was great but does not make the best snow for packing a good base… yet the trails are all snow covered and it is the best skiing at the park so far this year. The trails are all skiable,  thin and rough in spots, but all are snow covered. Not enough snow for setting diagonal stride track. In the woods, there is about 50% fair and 50 % poor. Hopefully, it will set tonight and firm up and in the future the high spots can be smoothed out. (1/24/13 Carl Grota)

Whitefish Dunes State Park Conditions: Dunes trails were rolled and packed down to about 2″. Not enough snow to set a track yet. Will be re-groomed after the candle light event Saturday night. (1/26/13 Rich Dirks)

Crossroads at Big Creek Conditions: The Crossroads received 5″ of new snow Friday. All the trails were rolled on Friday afternoon and are in good skiing condition. Because the snow was so light, it packed well but there wasn’t enough to make a track. The skiers are happy. (1/26/13 Jim Maki)

Peninsula State Park Conditions: Recently groomed by rolling the yellow, orange, and 3/4 of red, also out across the field to the blue/green, and from the shop to Blosomberg Cemetery and out the central trail to the east side and back. There is a tree down on the red, which I couldn’t cut with the hand tools on the sled. The office has a map of what was done. Barely enough snow to roll, report from skier was that it was better than not rolled but not much better. There may not be enough snow to go back and track. (1/26/13 Fuzzy Sunstrom)

Newport State Park Conditions: 5-6″ of light, fluffy snow has fallen on Newport! All of the trails are open, but our trails are not groomed. People have been skiing the Monarch and Europe Bay Trails, which are best from the Europe Bay Road trail head. (1/26/13 Casey St Henry)

For more detailed information about trails and conditions, go to: doorcountysilentsports.org.

Current Door County Cross Country Ski Trail Conditions

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Door County Cross Country Ski Trail Report as of December 26, 2012

Northeast Wisconsin and the Door County peninsula missed out on the heavy snowfall seen by some parts of the state last week. None of the trails are in “great” condition, but we did get enough snow to provide  acceptable skiing in the county. If you have friends with private property in the Sturgeon Bay area that groom, that may be your best bet as the area just north of Sturgeon Bay received approximately 4.5 ” of snow, the most of what little snowfall we had.

Michael Webber and Trina Fuehrer skiing at Snowkraft on Christmas Eve

Michael Webber and Trina Fuehrer skiing at Snowkraft on Christmas Eve 2012 – photo by Janelle Peotter

Trail groomers have been out working at some public areas and report the following conditions:

Potawatomi State Park Ski Trail Report
Could not groom after the snow last week because the snow was too wet. There was a layer of wet snow/mush on the ground. On top of this mush, we have 2-3″ snow. When the roller compresses the snow into the mush the roller packs up with snow and won’t roll. Because the top layer of snow is now acting as an insulator we will have to get a good cold spell before the mush freezes. Temperatures in the 20′s are not low enough. 12/21/12

Whitefish Dunes State Park Ski Trail Report 
Mother Nature played another cruel one on us and left less than 2″ of snow on the trails at Whitefish Dunes. So, while there is a little whiteness on the trails, it is hardly enough to groom until we get more.  12/21/12

Crossroads at Big Creek Ski Trail Report
Trails at the Crossroads were rolled Friday evening December 21 and again on Christmas Day.  Approximately 2.4″ of snow fell initially and then another inch on Christmas Eve. It has frozen nicely into a good base. There is fair skate skiing currently but there are no tracks set yet for classic skiing. We do have bare or thin spots, but where there is a good snow cover, the trails look good.  12/26/12

Peninsula State Park Ski Trail Report 
There are trace amounts of snow of up to about three inches, but the ski trails are not yet groomed or open. Snowshoe/hiking trails are open. Please, remember that hiking and snowshoeing are not allowed on ski trails.

Newport State Park Ski Trail Report 
There are 2-3″ of snow, but the trails have not been groomed yet. There are bare spots in the open areas and conditions are not suitable for skiing just yet.

Click for more information about Door County ski trails.

Snowkraft Nordic is Open! Trails are Groomed

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Door County didn’t get the largest portion of the so-called blizzard, but Snokraft Nordic, just north of Sturgeon Bay is known for it’s fastidious grooming and ability to ski in minimal snow conditions.


With 10K+ of superbly constructed and groomed cross-country ski trails, Snokraft Nordic may not be one of the largest trail systems in Door County but, like fine chocolates… quantity is not always quality. And quality is the watchword at Snokraft, thanks to the dedicated trail groomer-skiers who want to create the finest conditions available.

Here’s the latest word from one, “In from grooming. I think the trails should be fairly decent. Of course, not an overabundance of snow, but not many super thin areas either. The entire orchard is skiable, plus a bit of bonus trail. I used the Ginzugroomer, so there is a halfway decent cord.”

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning Wednesday, December 19 that predicted 10-14 inches of snow over the peninsula. School districts all over the county did not hold classes on Thursday in anticipation. But warmer temperatures and a different storm track gave us mostly a wintry mix of rain and sleet that resembled frozen custard, on the soft side. The deepest snowfall just happened to be 4.5 inches, recorded at the Peninsular Research Station within a mile of Snokraft Nordic.

Follow SNOWKRAFT Nordic on Facebook…

Summer Heat…

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With a drought and temperatures in the 90s, one can only wonder what the winter will bring.

Last winter, 2011-12 was unusually mild and many snow events were cancelled. I checked my Farmer’s Almanac , but can’t find predictions for the winter ahead. Does anyone have any dependable way of really knowing? If you do let me know. I will plan for snow, just in case, cutting, stacking and drying plenty of hardwood.

For now, enjoy the summer and keep us in your bookmark collection for the winter ahead.

New Snowfall, Door County Cross Country Ski Report for Jan 28

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This winter, cross country ski enthusiasts are living in hope of the next weather forecast.

On Friday night, their prayers were answered with overnight snowfalls of one to three inches depending on where you are measuring in Door County. Heavier snowfall is reported to have blanketed the Sturgeon Bay area. None of the trails are in great condition yet, but there is more skiing than you might assume! Trail groomers have been out working some areas and these reports will continue to be updated as conditions change. Tuesday’s forecast is predicting much warmer temperatures, so make tracks while you can.

Potawatomi State Park
Conditions: Last night brought three new inches of snow to Potawatomi and trail groomers are out today, Saturday, January 28. Earlier in the week the trails were rolled after snow on Monday evening. Trail should be in fair condition again for both classical and skate skiing.

Whitefish Dunes State Park
Conditions: Last night brought new snow and the trail groomers are out right now working on the trails.  Main Red Trail was rolled Wednesday, January 25 so this new snow should help significantly.

Crossroads at Big Creek
Conditions: With the overnight snow of about three inches the groomer headed out and rolled all trails today Saturday, January 28. No tracks were set but the trails are very skiable. Even the open areas are now snow covered and there are very few bares patches.

Peninsula State Park
Conditions: Snow depth in the park is two inches with many bare spots. There is not enough snow to groom ski trails and snowshoe trails are in poor condition due to lack of snow.

Newport State Park
Conditions: Snowed 1″ this week but this has melted away. Not enough snow to groom, and trails are unskiable.

Visit Door County Silent Sports Alliance for more detailed information about trails and conditions.