Grooming February 28, 2020
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Trail sponsorships are available. Please visit www.noquetrails.org and follow the links. You too can be feted in an up coming grooming report.
| Forestville: Doug is out at 8 PM with the Ginzu going to Tourist Park and NMU. Then he plans to groom Noque’ and Animoosh to the pines. this morning but no word yet on what will be covered.
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Way too Long Grooming Report:
It is just like staples in your desk top stapler; you always run out just when you need one. I expect neither of you had to delay your powder skiing to gas up your snow thrower. You may think a 20 minute delay is no big deal but, to paraphrase the great grooming report writer Forest Gump, “Powder skiing is like a box of chocolates; you have to get there early to eat all the caramel filled ones.”.” You leave the weird pink stuff for your family or co-workers. They will just think it is bad luck (unless they notice you poked them in the bottom). Unless over head deep, champagne powder is best when supported by a firm crust base. I’m sure you have both been anxious for this new cold snow following last week’s thaw. As you may recall from last week’s powder episode, one needed a flying telemark due to the depth and weight of snow. Things can go badly rather quickly in such situations. The ideal powder skiing has effortless turns where the resistance is properly suited with the hill. There is a logarithmic relationship between snow depth friction coefficient and slope angle but that is beyond the scope of today’s reporting. Everyone has a different “ideal” but I am always looking for that perfect glade skiing where you effortless turn through the trees. There are two main ways to find the ideal powder pockets. In mountainous skiing one must often jump into double or triple black diamond chutes to access the untracked powder pockets. Cliff jumping is fine but the cherry is the glade skiing that is off limits to the faint of heart. The other filter is climbing. If you can imagine, some would rather ski on groomers or tracked powder rather than hike a few hundred feet to access the ideal snow. When skiing areas with 5,000, 6,000 and even 7,000+ feet of vertical lift service skiing, one often ends up doing climbing skin laps of just a few hundred feet. It is surprising how fast the easy to find lift service powder gets tracked. Skiing yesterday’s powder would have yielded hoots from skiers anywhere in the world. The lightning could have been better but if you squint and imagine, you can see the linked effortless tracks in knee deep champagne all the way up the ridge. It was awesome.
Saux Head: All trails were roll packed yesterday and the plan is to track set this morning, the 28th.
Big Bay Pathway: Hidden Grin was groomed yesterday and in very good shape. I expect some late day snow may have covered the tracks but it is light snow.
Fit Strip: Neil groomed all trails Monday the 24th but yesterday’s (2/27) new snow will be on top.
Snow bike trails comments:
I expect 6” to 8” of new snow yesterday will have groomers busy.
Snow Bike North Trails: Last 1st ridden Comment:
Lower Trails
The Pines 6” to 8” new snow
Penstock
Blue Herron
BLP Rocks
Collinsville
Upper Trail
Upper Blue Herron Solid but a few drifts hid any soft edge and snow snakes
Silver Lead Solid but a few drifts hid any soft edge and snow snakes
Peter’s Sandbox Solid Excellent
Ramblin Man Excellent as of the 10th
Wildcat Excellent as of the 10th
South Trails: Groomers are out this morning early so there will be some trails ready at first light.
Trail Segment Last Report Comments:
Mt Mqt (East) New Snow Har-Lang (BG Connector)
East Greywalls
Main (Benson/Freak)
West Greywalls
Enchantment
Oak Hill
Old Camp Ridge Closed due to down trees
Shirleys Closed; high water
PPP –
Seppi –
Bob’s Sled – closed (trees)
Eh Line – closed (trees)
IOHT to South Beach – UP 200 start Not Plowed
THE FORESTVILLE TRAIL HEAD CHALET IS OPEN! Chalet hours are 7 AM to 10 PM and rental equipment is available between 10 and 4. Come in and enjoy the fire and company.
To learn more about the NTN, to join, volunteer, become a sponsor or make a comment, please visit www.noquetrails.org .
Sondo