Today was one of the best ski days of the year.  The snow gauge is up to 35 cm (15").  I scratched a few rocks today, but most trails were in good shape.  On Saturday I would strongly recommend getting out early.  The temperature will likely get above 0 C, which means that there is a good chance that the snow will clump on skis (including non-wax skis) when it warms.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received about 15 cm of snow yesterday and overnight.  There is 30 cm of snow at the snow gauge.  Ski conditions today were about as good as they have been at any point this winter.  That said, rock skis are still advisable.  The Kolapore parking lot is well plowed.  Some trails were not broken as of later this afternoon.  Get out and enjoy!

Kolapore Trail Guide

There is still snow in the bush at Kolapore.  However, with the thaw yesterday and the freeze last night, I would recommend staying off the trails until we either have a reasonable amount of new snow, or it gets warm enough for spring skiing.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Over past two days, I checked out County Forest, John's Portage, Jackrabbit, Trail to Summit, Marc's Folly, Paradise Hwy, Kolapore Church, Wild Mouse, and Kingsway.  Early this morning, I was out again on the Paradise Hwy - Kolapore loop.  With no new snow in past 24 hours, the track is once again very compact, beaten down on slopes.  The snow is very thin for this time of year.  Rock skis recommended.  Snow conditions are better in the southern areas and on connecting trails, though there are some lingering wet-spots on lower Jackrabbit and Trail to Summit. Yesterday, the snow measured 13 inches (31 cm) in County Forest, most of it Friday's snow, which is shrinking swiftly.  Ski with care.  There are plenty of rocks just below the surface.

(Another) Kolapore Trail Guide

Snowing hard most of the day. Did the Church Loop late this afternoon. Well-tracked. Still the occasional rough spot (rock skis are still recommended) but overall excellent conditions. Continuing snow overnight should lead to a great weekend. Wax up! CSM325 

We've had about 10 cm of snow in the past 24 hours, most of which came this morning.  As I write this at 12:30 it is squalling.  I'm becoming quite optimistic about ski conditions this weekend.  Caution will still be required, because not all the underlying rocks will have a good snowcover.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received about 6 - 7 cm of snow over the past 24 hours, which added to the 10 cm we received the previous day.  Conditions are improving.  I would still recommend staying off the steeper and rockier trails, because the recent thaws exposed most rocks.  I was out yesterday afternoon, and I was glad I was on rock skis.  Take a scraper with you - the thaws have left wet spots, that are hiding under the snow cover.   We are proceeding with the Soup and Ski event planned for members on Saturday. 

Kolapore received about 10 cm of snow over the past 24 hours.  This will substantially improve conditions.  I would still recommend staying off the steeper and rockier trails, because the recent thaws will have exposed most rocks.  Be sure to take a scraper with you - the thaws will have left wet spots, that will be hiding under the snow cover.   The forecast is promising - we will likely proceed with the Soup and Ski event planned for Saturday.  An e-mail will go out to Kolapore members (probably this evening) giving the decision.

Kolapore Trail Guide

I did a short ski in the County Forest this morning, and it was passable, considering that the snow gauge is at 10 - 12 cm (4 - 5"). However, there are parts of the County Forest that we avoided because of wet spots and rocks. I would not recommend any other Kolapore trails until we get more snow.  By far the best skiing this morning was off trail (as long as you know where the old lanes are.)

Kolapore Trail Guide 

Kolapore received about 5 cm of snow last night.  This is on top of a rather thin crusty/icy base.  Some of the flatter and less rocky trails may be OK, but I would recommend staying off most trails until we get more snow.  I haven't skied since last weekend because of the poor conditions, but I'm going to try some of the less rocky trails at the south end tomorrow.  The weather forecast for this coming week is moderately promising - I'll post again as soon as conditions improve.
Kolapore Trail Guide