Kolapore received about 4 cm of snow on Wednesday and Thursday morning.  The snow gauge is up to 33 cm.  The skiing today was enjoyable but fast.  Caution was required on some of the more challenging hills.  With the snow we are receiving this evening, and predicted for overnight, skiing could be very good on Friday.

Kolapore Trail Guide

The trails were very pleasant today.  The temperatures were just above freezing, with lots of sun, so the trails were reasonably soft.  I suspect that when the temperatures drop, the tracks will be very fast until we get fresh snow, which is predicted for Thursday.

There's new snow in the tracks.  Unfortunately, when I was out this morning the snow was very clumpy.  It is likely to be worst in fresh snow or lightly skied tracks.  Be sure to prep your skis, especially non-wax skis, with glider or silicone before heading out (and even that isn't guaranteed to work.)

Kolapore Trail Guide

I did a short sunset ski around the County Forest, and the trails are getting fast.  More heavily used trails (e.g., the Kolapore Church - Paradise Highway loop) could be REALLY fast.  The freezing drizzle that fell on Tuesday is likely contributing to the speed, but the tracks aren't glazed - hard wax worked well.  Skiing should be enjoyable if you choose the right trail.  There are still some wet spots, and some rocks showing (the Kolapore snow gauge is at 26cm/10").

Kolapore Trail Guide

Over the past 36 hours Kolapore has received about 7 cm of new snow.  The first few cm were very wet snow, but last night we had some nice colder snow.  Conditions on the trail today could be pleasant, recognizing that there will be wet spots from the recent rain, and some rocks showing through.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore had a fair amount of rain Friday night, but little or none yesterday or so far today. We received a dusting of wet snow through the day yesterday and overnight.  There is still a reasonable base of snow, although rocks are sticking out in some locations.  The temperature is hovering around 0, so the wax of the day is "non wax skis".    I don't think that this is the right day for less experienced skiers to come out (and that will be true until we get some new snow). 

Kolapore received a fair amount of rain overnight.  At 8:30 AM the temperature is 0, and it has just started to snow.  The trails are probably slightly wet snow at the moment, and will turn to ice when the temperature falls.  I would recommend staying off the trails until we get a decent amount of new snow.  I will post an update later today.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

The snow that fell on the weekend has substantially improved trail conditions.  However, the ice and snow is still bending many trees down.  Some trails are likely to be difficult to follow.  Yesterday I skied the Paradise Highway - Kolapore Church loop, doing trail clearing, and the snow and track conditions were excellent.  There are still a few rocks and wet spots.  While skiing I was very disappointed by the laziness of skiers who had been through before us.  In one spot in particular, skiers had skied over or around branches that could be easily removed.   Don't be one of those skiers who seem to expect someone else to do all the work.

Kolapore Trail Guide     

Everything that was said in yesterday's post is still true.  Lots of bent over trees and fallen branches.  Please help with the cleanup.  I will add that as of 12:30 today, the snow gauge is at 23cm/9".  This is still relatively thin snow cover for many of the trails, so rock skis are strongly recommended.  There are occasional wet spots on the trail - be alert.  And after those cautions, I'll add that it's a winter wonderland in the forest.

Kolapore Trail Guide    

The ice from last Saturday's ice storm is still on the trees, and last night's fresh 10cm of powder is sticking to it. The trees are heavy and hanging down everywhere. Absolutely beautiful, but it's adventurous in the forest right now, and can be slow-going. 

Please help by clearing branches and in some cases freeing the trees from their snow burdens. Consider packing a small saw if you have one to help clear small branches on the trail.

The forecast is calling for 10-20cm tomorrow (Saturday), so the snow conditions will be improving still--but the tree conditions may get worse.