The Good News: We've had a few days to clear the worst of the fallen limbs before things freeze up.

The Bad News: Unless you have no-wax rock skis and are slightly nuts, North trails are not a good option. County Forest likely still passable but we need a good freeze-up and snow snow snow to get things going again. Stay tuned.

Just finished a few hours of stick-picking. If you've got no-wax rock skis and know the trails pretty well, it's spring skiing conditions. Main trails are packed well and secondaries are passable. Patience, and don't take on more than you can chew and you could get in a nice ski. Pick up a stick on your way by.  If you encounter a significant problem, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org   Stephen

County Forest Footnote:  I encountered skiers coming out of County Forest late this afternoon, and they indicated that conditions were "better than expected".  I would agree.  The ice cover that was everywhere on Friday has softened enough to allow decent skiing on non-wax skis.  There is a lot of debris on the trails, although not as much big debris as came down in the wind storm 10 days ago.  Bruce

I skied in the south part of the system this morning, and (not surprisingly) the trails are extremely fast.  Great double poling.  For less experienced skiers the trails may be too fast, particularly on the hills.  Blue hard wax worked nicely this morning. With the weather forecast for tomorrow (freezing rain/rain), conditions are likely to go from fair to terrible.

As a result of high winds last week there are many twigs and branches and even a few trees down on the trails - please help with the cleanup.  The trail guides and other Kolapore supporters did quite a bit of cleanup on the weekend, but more is needed.  If you encounter something that's too big for you to handle, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org with a description of the location (and a photo would be very helpful).

There has been no new snow since Thursday evening, when 2 - 3 cm of new snow fell on crusty snow.  The new snow has been packed down, and trails are very fast.  I recommend avoiding avoiding steep trails because of the fast conditions (possibly with ruts) and numerous branches down. 

As a result of high winds last week there are many twigs and branches and even a few trees down on the trails - please help with the cleanup.  If it's too big for you to handle, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org with a description of the location.

I skied around County Forest this afternoon, and it's not bad, although the tracks are a bit uneven where skiers have broken through the crust.  There is more snow than I expected (32 cm at the snow gauge), but only 2 - 3 cm of new snow.  Trails that get much use are likely to be fast tomorrow.  I continue to think that it is best to avoid steep trails because of the fast conditions (possibly with ruts) and numerous branches down. 

Based on my survey of the County Forest, I can guarantee that there will be many branches down on the trails - please help with the cleanup.  If it's too big for you to handle, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org with a description of the location.

The good news is that there is still a snow base at Kolapore.  The bad news is that we got more heavy rain last night, and there will be lots of rocks showing on the trails, plus numerous wet areas.  It's currently (8 AM) just below freezing, and the trails are likely to be icy.  I continue to recommend staying off the trails until we get some new snow.  There will be many branches down - please help with the cleanup.  If it's too big for you to handle, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org with a description of the location.

Kolapore Trail Guide

At 10 PM the conditions at Kolapore are disgusting.  We had quite a bit of snow today, followed by a very heavy rain storm.  I just shoveled our walk, which was covered by slush and water.  I would strongly recommend staying off the trails until we get a decent amount of new snow.  The high winds today are likely to have brought down a number of branches or even trees.  If you can't drag them off the trail, please send an e-mail to info@kolaporetrails.org to let us know about the location of any problems.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

Kolapore received a dusting of snow overnight - it's hard to tell how much, because the strong winds are blowing it around.  Quite a bit of snow and high winds are predicted today.  The Kolapore parking lot was in good shape yesterday.

Kolapore Trail Guide

When I first posted at 8 AM Kolapore had received about 5 cm of new snow overnight, and by 10:15 we were up to 10 cm.  It is still squalling.  The current temperature is -14 and it is likely to stay cool.  Be prepared for real winter conditions today.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received about 20 cm of snow Wednesday.  We have not received any new snow since then.  Ski conditions are generally very good.  The popular trails (almost everything east of the 10th line) have skied-in tracks.  The Kolapore parking lot is well plowed.  Based on skiing Trail to the Summit yesterday, I would caution that our lowland trails (Trail to the Summit, Quiet Pastures, Southern Crossing west of the 10th line) are likely to have a lot of wet spots. 

Kolapore Trail Guide