2/28/2015 Los Alamos Nordic Trail Report

We got up on the trails last night and rolled the trails, followed by some passes with the 4' Tidd, plus an optimistic pass with the classic track setter.  It was snowing pretty hard at times, so we knew it may be gone by morning.  But, with that much new snow, it gets hard to groom through anything, so we've had to stay on it so that we don't get stuck, at least more than we did anyway.

Jim Fredrickson got back up this morning to start running the rollers again, so we're keeping it packed through the new layers of snow.  It's a process, for sure.

So, please be patient and just enjoy some classic touring.  If there is a break, I'll go run the classic track setter for a better classic skiing experience.  There just won't be any skating until the storm lets up (sorry).  Hopefully, we can get the whole thing groomed out for this next week.

Sorry I don't have any pictures.  It was wet and cold last evening and my phone quit working.

New snow

Sandia peak has received several new inches of snow in past 36 hours.  Hopefully service road gets packed by downhill area tonite or tomorrow nite.  Downhill area only open on weekends now.

Ron

2/27/2014: New Snow on the Los Alamos XC Ski Trails!

Well, looks like this late-winter blast will provide some more nice skiing for a little while.  It's been tough for me to make it up there to keep up with every little storm that has come through lately, so there have obviously been some gaps in trail maintenance.  I think the last "grooming" was the quick packing job I did two weeks ago: (https://www.facebook.com/swnordicskiclub/posts/946086965415990).  

These last few little doses have been pretty nice, but those few segments that got burnt out during our heatwave kept melting back down, despite the additions to the good snow pack in other areas.  It's weird.

Anyway, it has finally snowed enough that I got some volunteer support, including a potential new groomer!  (yay, and whew!).  So, we'll plan on heading up to pack things down this evening, plus maybe get in some groomed classic track for the weekend, depending on how much snow we receive.

Most certainly, I would not count on skating this weekend.  We'll pack and get a "best line" classic track set that follows the path of most snow on the trails.  

PLEASE, do not skate over the groomed classic tracks!

I'll report back this evening when we're done.

New snow, skiing

Sandia peak received  few new inches (0-6" depending on where) of snow last few days.  The service rd, upper unm loop are good for classic, and the access rd to 10K and 10 k loops are reported by Chris N to have good skiing.  I have asked Steve G to groom service rd with snow cat Friday nite so maybe it will happen.  Fredrik is grooming next on March 2.  Still could use some shovelers up there for different sections (i.e. mostly upper loop, access rd and parts of 10K loop).   Active weather pattern predicted for awhile so maybe can look forward to a few more weeks at least.

Sandia peak new snow

Sandia peak got a couple inches (tops) new snow yesterday/last night.  Classic track filled in with nice fresh powder on service rd and upper loop good also for classic.  Looked like skating on the road would have been good.

Grooming update

Snow was very hard on  the service rd today still. Fredrik groomed it and it helped a little. Tracks still intact but quite icy.  Chris says good skating below but little or no classic tracks.  Did not check the upper loop since I figured it was pretty icy in shade.  Both skating and classic should be better next couple of days when it warms up.

More grooming

Service rd groomed very well by downhill snow cat preserving entire length of classic track on nw side; walked in (why when they have 8 to 10 feet perfectly level an hard surface??) from quarry almost to gate (they gave up walking over  there eventually). Access road was walked in alongside the track mostly as well as most of bunny hill (now that one I understand!); bunny hill still pretty powdery amazingly enough.  I skied a small part of 10K loop but fast icy conditions in track and also in skate part dissuaded me from attempting the down hills and it's in very good shape. Would be nice to show our gratitude to the guy that drove the snow cat; he did a great job at preserving the classic track! 

Grooming

I know Fredrik set classic tracks today on the upper unm loop, the service road,  and it appeared down below to 10K but I did not ski below the service road (tracks there and upper loop so good).
No grooming for skating where I skied but perhaps below (someone please comment).

late edition (Feb 14): Steve Gallegos said they (downhill area) .will groom the road tonite .
I requested they try wherever possible to leave a classic track.  Hope this works out well.

Steve's (Roholt) photos:  (referred to in 2nd comment)

New snow

According to the Sandia peak ski area website there is about 8" new snow on top.   Fredrik is suppose to set track Friday. I will try to get the service road groomed by the alpine area before that.

Grooming update

Fredrik tried to groom but snow too hard and had problems with the machine.  He will set trcks on Friday.

Grooming

Fredrik said will set tracks Tuesday (10th). 

Sandia peak skiing

Service rd was groomed very wide by downhill snow cat.  Looked like awesome skating. Classic tracks in wood still ok to excellent.

Groomiing update

Classic skiing is very good on the service road, the upper loop and access road.  Not sure about the 10K loop since I didn't ski it and haven't any reports.  Skating may be good below service road (access road looked good in spots for skating) but service road is very chewed up (other than tracks) due to heavy pedestrian traffic.  Upper loop is not groomed for skating, just classic.    

Canada Bonita Trail Report 2/4/2015

Trails were regroomed (no new classic track set) yesterday.  Everything still looks pretty good (relatively, anyway...), but the usual thin spots are already showing degradation.  The front access hill is of course, the worst with a big bare spot.  It just never built up a base this year, so it's a storm-to-storm skiable situation.

We'll probably hold off on any new grooming until the next storm, or sometime early next week, so get it while it's good.

Big thanks to Hans for getting the job done yesterday!!!

Grooming

Fredrik groomed and set track on everything today.