Open, -4º at 7am. Another clear sunny day. Really good skiing. The skiing is about as good as it gets. 25 km classic and 5 km skate.

Ian re-groomed the Chickadee, groomed the Loon and Waite’s Place Loop. He shoveled up on the Loon and Waite’s Place like crazy to fill in low spots and level out bumps and assures me that all his work means we are getting a dumping of snow from the Saturday night/Sunday storm.

About the storm, the snow forecast  is for over a foot Saturday night, and over a foot on Sunday. New snow is amazing. “Snow is like kindness, it beautifies everything it covers.” The skiing will be amazing. Now the caveat, new snow is a lot of work!!!!!!! For us in moving it around and packing it out. Work for you, as in a slower, softer ski. We will be grooming the entire time. New snow takes time to set up. We will work to get it set up as quickly as possible. The new snow will be soft, slow and gentle. The woods will be silent with snow. (Until the wind blows.)  So plan on slowing down, and enjoying the new snow as is. After a few days, it will firm up, and speed up and we can go back to our hurried days. But, enjoy the slow down while it is here with fresh new snow.

Watch for the return to Nordic Center signs if you need to return more quickly.

And the temperature is going to drop. Cross country skiing is a warmer sport, you’ll help yourself stay warm with movement. Dressing smart helps. Plan now. All those warm clothes you own, bring them along.

• Layers. Dry layers. A dry shirt to drive home in is really nice.
• Sweaty socks mean cold feet. And don’t come out in short cotton socks.
• Wind proof outer layer.
• Down and wool are great additions.
• Mittens are warmer than gloves.
• A neck warmer.
• A hat and a hood.
• Dry socks. Your feet sweat.
• And if you need it hand and toe warmers.