Kolapore received about 10 cm of snow early this week, plus another 5 cm+ Friday morning.  The snow gauge is at 36 cm (14").  Over the past two days I've skied Trail to the Summit (one of the wetter and rockier trails) and Southern Crossing for the first time this season, and conditions were quite good.  There are a few wet spots, but it is easy to bypass them. 

If you are coming in at the Kolapore entrance there have been inconsiderate walkers and snowshoers on the trail, so ski conditions on some trail segments will be mediocre until we get fresh snow.  (The snow this morning may have helped.)

As I've noted before, the Kolapore Wilderness Trails Association is arranging and paying for snow plowing now at the Kolapore parking lot.  If you want snowplowing to continue, please join the Association or make a donation.  Roadside parking at entrance W (west end of County Forest) is limited.  If you want to access the south end, there is better parking at entrance E, just off Grey Road 2.

Kolapore Trail Guide

On Friday Kolapore received about 15 cm of snow.  The snow gauge was at 40 cm.  (For those who have looked at earlier postings I know this doesn't add up - the snow is settling.)  Skiing should be excellent this weekend, although there will be a lot of trail breaking on Saturday. Bring your camera - the snow is hanging on the trees.

I'm pleased to report that the Kolapore parking lot is in good shape on Saturday morning - it was plowed late enough yesterday, and there isn't much of a hump from the County plow.  The Kolapore Wilderness Trails Association is arranging and paying for plowing now.  If you want snowplowing to continue, please join the Association or make a donation.  FYI, a skier told us today that there is very limited roadside parking at the County Forest Entrance W.  There is lots of roadside parking at the County Forest Entrance E, just off Grey Road 2.

Kolapore Trail Guide   

Kolapore has received about 15 cm of new snow in the past 24 hours.  The snow gauge is at 37 cm (14").  It is hard work breaking trail today. 

I expect that the Kolapore parking lot will be plowed by some time this afternoon.  As noted in my previous post, Grey County is no longer plowing the parking lot, so plowing is being arranged and paid for by the Kolapore Wilderness Trails Association.  Please support the Association if you want plowing and other trail maintenance to continue.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore has received about 15 cm of powder snow in the past 24 hours.  The Kolapore snow gauge is at 25 cm.  Although there will be some wet spots and rocky areas (hey, it's Kolapore!), overall skiing should be quite good.  Rock skis are still recommended. 

The Kolapore parking lot on Grey Road 2 was plowed Jan 5.  Plowing is now being arranged and paid for by the Kolapore Wilderness Trails Association.  If you want plowing to continue, please support the Association.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

Kolapore received about 10 cm of snow over the past 24 hours.  There is now about 15 - 20 cm of powder snow in the bush.  This compacts down to about 2 cm of snow after a few skiers have been through.  This is thin for Kolapore skiing, but some of the less rocky trails (e.g., much of County Forest) are OK if you use your rock skis.  I wouldn't go on some of the rockier trails unless you want an excuse to buy new skis.

The Town plow is going a bit wide at Entrance W, so there is room on the shoulder for a few cars.

Kolapore Trail Guide 

Although Kolapore has received snow over the past few days, there still isn't enough to ski on.  Somewhat surprisingly, the Collingwood - Thornbury area has received more snow in the recent squalls.

Kolapore Trail Guide

Although there is still snow cover on many parts of the Kolapore trails, it is very thin.  I would recommend deferring any skiing until we get some more snow.

Kolapore Trail Guide

I was pleasantly surprised by the skiing in the County Forest and some adjacent trails today.  Although there is only about 5" - 6" of snow, the solid base kept us off most rocks, and there was a modest amount of powder on top.  The skiing should be OK for a day or two - until the predicted warm and wet weather arrives.  I wouldn't use the Kolapore entrance, because there have been walkers on the trail and there are a lot more rocks.

I'm becoming more optimistic that a solution will be in place for snow plowing for 2014 - 2015 at the Kolapore parking lot in the near future.  However, this will need the support of Kolapore skiers through donations and/or memberships.

Kolapore Trail Guide     

Unfortunate that the County does not feel able to clear the lot. I am glad that my membership contribution will assist in getting the season under way- but I am hopeful that the County will step up again in recognition of the local economic contribution of this excellent trail system.

It has been snowing steadily for hours now at Kolapore and I actually did a few laps around our property near Ravenna a couple of hours ago. (No rocks on our trails!)  It's obviously a while before the trails are skiable but all this snow has me looking forward to the coming season.