rwmaron Posted December 18, 2016 Report Share Posted December 18, 2016 Rode in softies today as I wasn't sure what conditions I'd find; still only runs 8,9,10, and 11 open. Lots of snow guns running so we should see more terrain soon. Bitterly cold at the start - better later in the morning when the wind eased and the sun made an appearance. Not opening until noon tomorrow due to the cold. In retrospect could have ridden the hard boot kit. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted December 29, 2016 Report Share Posted December 29, 2016 Thinking of coming up for a New Year's Day carve session. Hoping the hill has recovered from the rain/sleet/snow event last week. Anyone been out this week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted December 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted December 30, 2016 I was out for a couple of hours on Wednesday morning (in softies again) - Ken was out on the Donek too. Lots of traffic as it was day 2 of the DSAC camp. Runs 6-12 were open and snowmaking continues. Some natural snow since then; I think you'll be fine. Good news is that the open is 9am on Jan 1 according to the website. I'll be out on Monday and Ken is planning the same. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 The 'new' ride. Found this in the rafters :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 3, 2017 Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Ken, you might get to use that if you get the forecast snowfall tonight. I was out on new years day. Conditions were okay, not great─flat light with very light snow falling, and the familiar ice base under a 2" surface groom, which got scrapped off down the middle of each run after about an hour (lots of beginers on the hill). Best snow was on Four pipe and Double jaw, Scissor bill looked good, but was off limits with a nastar course. Blue ruin and Bindle Stiff were both icy down the middle. Had to take that carve all the way across and turn in softer snow on the edges of the run. My last several runs found the best snow right under the express chair. My legs started to get tired about the same time as it started to get busy around 12:30. Hope this storm refreshes the slopes. Might come up on Thursday if Duluth gets significant snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 3, 2017 Patroller Don and I found similar conditions on Monday, plus the Duluth schools were still on break so it was busier than I expected. First outing In hard boots this season for both of us. Less new snow than expected though. At least we have fat biking as an alternative....... Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 6, 2017 Report Share Posted January 6, 2017 So, Spirit claims to be making more snow while closed during the cold temps. I'm hoping they refreshed the icy slopes in addition to blowing snow to build jumps in the parks. The U.P. continues to get daily lake effect snow. Thinking I should head over there for a couple of days some time in January. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 8 hours ago, bigwavedave said: So, Spirit claims to be making more snow while closed during the cold temps. I'm hoping they refreshed the icy slopes in addition to blowing snow to build jumps in the parks. I'd be surprised if they did - I don't ever recall seeing the snow guns moved back once a slope is finished. I'll be patrolling both evenings this weekend so will be able to give you an update; I'll be out Monday afternoon too. I have to travel for work the week of the 16th but would be all over a UP trip either of the next two weeks. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 9, 2017 Report Share Posted January 9, 2017 Finally! looks like Spirit's slopes are being refreshed by mother nature! Might come up on Thursday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2017 Patroller Don and I were out for a couple of hours this afternoon; last night's snow freshened things up nicely. Flattish light but typical light weekday traffic let us have our way. Only bummer is that Juggler Joe is chopped up with small ramps again this year. I'll be out again Thursday afternoon. Russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Rode from 10-2:30 today. Started with subzero temps and bright sun. Met up with Ken and later Russ joined us. Maybe 10 other people there for the first few hours, so we had the place to ourselves. A blustery windchill kept the crowds away. Snow was as good as it gets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 ...looking forward to some of that Spirit groom! We're coming back! The Lonbordin and Co. show will roll into town March 10th and leave around the 18th. So don't use up all that sweet snow in the meantime alright. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Hi Dave, I look forward to riding with you again! Are you planning to stay at Spirit the whole time? We'll try to save some snow for you Had so much fun yesterday, I'm thinking of coming up again tomorrow. The long range forecasts are hinting at possible rain/sleet event next week with the January thaw, especially east and south of Duluth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Yup, we will be in one of those Octagon things at the top. Thaw... tell me about it... the 10 day forecast has no temps below 32 and plenty of rain here... I think Paoli will be closed after this weekend for some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khoward Posted January 13, 2017 Report Share Posted January 13, 2017 Planning 1st chair tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 (edited) A good day carving cures all ills. ...three out of 3 carvers agree Edited January 15, 2017 by bigwavedave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 15, 2017 Report Share Posted January 15, 2017 Thinking of coming up on Tuesday, before the thaw. Looks like tomorrow's snow/sleet/rain is taking a more southerly track, but still a significant warm-up later in the week. Will probably hold off on the U.P. trip─freeze/thaw all this week and then possible rain by the weekend. Hey Russ, did you get out on that new board today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 3 hours ago, bigwavedave said: Hey Russ, did you get out on that new board today? No - today was fat biking day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Great photo! Doesn't look like you're having any fun What trail is that? Do they groom trails for fat biking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Photo was taken in the Lake County Demonstration Forest just north of Two Harbors where there are 7-8 miles of trails groomed for fat biking in a beautiful setting of mixed forest types. Trails groomed in Duluth for fat biking include Mission Creek, Piedmont, Hartley and Lester parks, and the Duluth Traverse. Enter 'COGGS Trails' in the Google machine for more details! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 16, 2017 Report Share Posted January 16, 2017 Cool! Lots of trails to explore. I'll be on the hill tomorrow for first tracks. Gotta get some while it's still primo conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobble Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 what's the weather outlook for the weekend? down here its suppose to warm all week with rain and snow starting this weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 17, 2017 Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Hey Bob, similar forecast for up here with the week ending in rain snow mix. Started out foggy this morning and it looks like it's not going to burn off this afternoon. Flat light but good snow. Tomorrow should be much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigwavedave Posted January 18, 2017 Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 Rode from 10-12 with Ken in foggy conditions, took a break and when I went back out the sun started breaking through. By 1:00 it turned into a gloriously sunny day Crowds remained thin enough to have uninterrupted runs on everything from Cinder Snapper to Double Jaw til my knees had enough around 3:00 Gandy Dancer this afternoon: Conditions should be great Wednesday and Thursday. Then conditions may deteriorate starting Friday with a mix of freezing rain and drizzle over the next several days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwmaron Posted January 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 I'll be out Thursday morning for a couple of hours to get a few turns in before conditions go sour.... Rust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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