A nice morning in the County Forest. Parking at 527671 on the Townline wasn't plowed.  But a few cars on roadside. Early birds had set track and obvious that new snow had fallen overnight. The snow gauge at Stn.11 measured 19 inches (48 cm ?).  Snow got heavy and wet as the weather warmed up, but beautiful winter landscape in the bush.

Tuesday was probably the busiest winter weekday ever on the Kolapore trails.  The Kolapore parking lot was full to overflowing, the Metcalfe lot was busy, and there were a lot of vehicles at both entrances to the County Forest.  Trails were fast but very enjoyable.  I would still recommend avoiding the cedar swamp in Quiet Pastures and the south end of Trail to the Summit because of wet conditions. There are new snowshoe/winter walking trails separate from the ski trails - directly opposite the Kolapore parking lot and just south of the east entrance to the County Forest.

Kolapore received 15 cm of snow Monday afternoon and overnight.  Early skiers will get to break trail.  Early skiers may also encounter challenges with parking - the Kolapore parking lot likely won't be plowed until later today.  With the wet conditions yesterday, there could be wet spots lurking under the new snow, so be sure to take a scraper.  We are having problems with walkers and snowshoers in some areas - please politely remind them that in the winter the trails are designated for cross country skiing.  There are new snowshoe/winter walking trails separate from the ski trails - directly opposite the Kolapore parking lot, and just south of the east entrance to the County Forest.  Also at Metcalfe, but there may not be any parking there at the moment.  Kolapore Trail Guide   

Yesterday was a glorious ski day.  Today, not so much.  There's still lots of snow, but it will be rather sluggish, because as I write this at 8:15 AM the snow is slushy.  We received 2 - 3 cm of snow overnight.  The temperature is around 0 at the moment, and is supposed to drop below freezing this morning.  It could get icy.

There was good skiing today, particularly as more trails were "skied in".  The Kolapore parking lot on Grey Road 2 was plowed later today, but a number of vehicles were parked in the lot, so there are large unplowed areas in the lot.  The snow gauge is at 40 cm.  On less rocky trails (like County Forest) there is no problem with rocks, but on the rockier trails rock skis are still recommended.  A number of skiers were having problems with skis icing, so be sure to take a scraper.  I would avoid traditionally wet trails, particularly the south end of Trail to the Summit and the cedar swamp on Quiet Pastures.

At 8 AM on Boxing Day, Kolapore has about 30 cm of powder snow on top of about 10 cm of crust.  Skiing should be very good, if you don't mind breaking trail in the short term.  HOWEVER, parking is likely to be a challenge.  I doubt that the Kolapore parking lot will be accessible until later today (at the earliest).  Even roadside parking will be a challenge in the short term.  I'll provide an update later today.  Kolapore Trail Guide

I skied in the County Forest and the south end of the Kingsway and John's Portage trails this afternoon, and the skiing was very pleasant.  At 3 PM the snow gauge was at 25 cm - about 10 cm of crust, and 15 cm of new snow.  There has been at least 7 cm of snow since then, and it's still snowing hard at 10 PM.  Skiing on Saturday should be good.  My two cautions are that there will still be spots where you will encounter rocks, and there are wet spots.  Be sure to take a scraper with you.  I would avoid the wettest trails - south end of Trail to the Summit and the cedar swamp on Quiet Pastures.  Kolapore Trail Guide

As I post at 11:30 AM, there is about 13 cm of new snow on top of crust (and rocks in some places).  It may be possible to ski on some of the less rocky trails (e.g., parts of County Forest), although even there I would recommend rock skis.  Take a scraper, because there will be some wet spots lurking under the snow.  I will post again later in the day.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore had the thaw and rain, and lost some of the base.  There is still snow cover, although there are many places where rocks are sticking through, and puddles have opened up.  We need both snow and cold weather to make the trails skiable.  As I write this at 10:30 AM Dec 24, the rain has changed to snow.  I'm hoping that our Christmas present will be a serious snow squall.  I'll post tomorrow.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Overnight, Kolapore received about 2 cm of damp snow.  We still don't have enough new snow (on top of the crust) for decent skiing.  Kolapore Trail Guide