General Ski Information from Skiers

General messages about conditions and other ski information.

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Message: Pasted in below is the text of an e-mail from my friend Mark in Wisconsin, which includes two reports from a resort in Minnesota. Read it and weep: Check out these reports from Minnesota, also there are reports of still skiing the Birkie trail from OO north. Snow in the forecast for here tonight and tomorrow, no accumulation. Apr 26 - Maplelag Resort (Callaway): Conditions: Unbelievable!! Clearing, wind almost calm and 25 degrees at 10pm. Just came in from skiing the loop I have been packing out. I could not resist considering the conditions and fresh cord calling my name. I ended up pulling out one of the Ginzu's for the early evening grooming. Groomed up pretty nice considering all the new snow. Hard to describe the sensations of skiing on dry, fresh, packed powder on April 26th...and loons calling in the distance. Wow! The the glide was great, I wasn't sinking through really like I thought I would and felt really nice. The skate deck was a little tight and I was pushing pretty far down on the pull plants but all in all, unreal. Photos: (Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort) Apr 26 - Maplelag Resort (Callaway): Conditions: Snow keeps on coming and blowing and the cars keep getting more buried. Hard to say with settling, melting underneath and blowing but figure 16-20" of snowfall since yesterday afternoon. Just packed with the snowmobile on that 4km loop when I could today since busy dealing with snow and hauling employees around. Later in afternoon was going to rollpack but that was buried in snow and I couldn't get it out. I thought I had it in a good spot, ready to roll downhill but I just couldn't connect. So I took out a older Tidd Tech drag since the Ginzus are put away for the summer(?!?!) and made a few passes with it. Mother Nature got the best of me today as I got stuck big time for the first time ever here at Maplelag and thankfully a grader was passing by to pull me out. Tonight I am going to drag out that loop a bunch of times and hopefully can ski tomorrow....but don't plan on it with 30 cars buried. When I do get the chance to ski, I am going to make this snowfall count, that's for sure. Photos: (Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort)
Date: 4/27/2008
Name: Dave Helwig
Area: Somewhere in Minnesota
 

Message: To everyone who has skied at Hardwood Hills Cross Country Center near Barrie, Ontario....the following is the final snow report from former owner Kim Viney. I wanted to reprint it here in case any of you missed it on the Hardwood Hills link. The center has been sold, but will continue to be an outstanding xc venue. Sunday, March 30, 2008 Updated at 5:30 pm Our ski trails are now closed and another season has come to an end. Thank you for your support through a great winter for snow and some wonderful ski conditions. Starting Monday, March 31, the Hardwood Hills office will be open 9 am - 5 pm Monday through Friday and we will be closed on weekends until we re-open for mountain biking in mid-May. This is also my final update before we pass along the business to our new owners, headed up by our long-time ski coach, Jack Sasseville. It is hard to believe that 25 years have slipped by since we started Hardwood Hills! It has been a pleasure for myself and my staff to provide nordic skiing and mountain biking for you and your family over the years. We thank you for your support and hope that we have enriched your lives as you have enriched ours. We wish our new owners much luck and success going forward and I personally look forward to seeing you out on the ski and mountain bike trails! I would like to thank our fantastic staff with whom I have had the pleasure of working over many years. A heartfelt thanks to: Glenn, Judy, Ron, Dave, Kevin, Merrie Lynn, Andrew, Peter/Bruce, Joe, Ed, Sandra, Brenda, Jacob, Braydon, J.D., Evan, Mike, Brian, Beth, Ben, Meaghan, Laura, Stephan, Shelby, Sharon, Jamie, Bob, Arienne, Tracy, Jack, Mark, Wendy, and all our part-time instructors and Jackrabbit leaders. The pleasure has been mine. Warm Regards, Kim Viney
Date: 4/4/2008
Name: Rick Garstka
Area: Hardwood Hills
 

Message: ATTENTION: Anyone interested in learning to do the biathlon? If you'd like to try this sport, I might have a top notch instructor form NY. There's a PA summer biathlon series, also. Most of these are held in the NE section of the sate. Many times, biathlon clubs will loan beginners riffles. If you are sincerely interested, send an email to: denmcdough@hotmail.com
Date: 4/3/2008
Name: Denny
Area: LM/Latrobe
 

Message: Want to get sick? Go to skinnyski.com and look at the places still skiing. Wish that would be here. Next year......
Date: 3/26/2008
Name: Denny
Area: LM
 

Message: To all who view this PACCSA website and our webcam pictures - THANK YOU for your continued support. Your enthusiastic ski posts make for interesting reading and never fail to convince me that there are many passionate and devoted cross country skiers in our area. Look for notices for the PACCSA trail-clearings that will be scheduled in the summer and fall, and have a safe and active off-season. See you next winter.
Date: 3/24/2008
Name: Rick Garstka
Area:  
 

Message: Welcome spring and another 3 inches of snow. Looks like a good weekend of skiing. We have a 3 foot plus base with new snow and cool temperatures through mid next week. Some new snow projected friday, clear sat and snow sunday. We are open Easter Sunday. The reason for this is I can not think of a better way to celebrate life that being in nature on a set of skis. Hope you have a great weekend. we are open 7 days a week until April 15th. With the earlier change in the clocks than normal we have extended our hour from 10AM until 6PM daily. Hope this helps. Hugh Osceola Tug Hill XC www.uxcski.com uxcski1@brez.net
Date: 3/21/2008
Name:  
Area: Tug Hill
 

Message: I'll be up Saturday, if enough snow ,4+, will groom the red, then putting it in storage. Who knows though with snow, will have to see Saturday morning. would be nice to get a last ski in.
Date: 3/20/2008
Name: Bob Mazur
Area: LR
 

Message: Charlie, I just heard on KDKA forecast for 3-6 inches of snow on Saturday 3/22. Could we be skiing on the Ridge for Easter? We could have an egg hunt in the snow!!!!!!! I haven't put my skis away!
Date: 3/20/2008
Name: AC
Area: LR
 

Message: I'm still here. I'm NOT putting away my skis yet. I am waiting for the daffodil snow!
Date: 3/18/2008
Name: xc ski junkie
Area: all
 

Message:  Great Spring skiing at Wilderness Lodge today. It got a little soft by afternoon,but the trails had good coverage. I classic skied,but a number of people were skating.
Date: 3/15/2008
Name: Dave Artis
Area: Wilderness Lodge
 

Message: If you are still checking Ski Post you are a true xc ski junkie. (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) Anyway, I'm entered in a charity stair climb to benefit the American Lung Association. Event will be held at the Gulf Tower in downtown Pittsburgh the morning of March 29. 38 floors, 760 steps. Anyone who wants to enter or to contribute can get the necessary info at www.climbpittsburgh.lunginfo.org I don't expect to ski again until the snow flies next winter, but you never know. If we are done, I claim the distinction, though not the pleasure, of being the last person to ski the Ridge this season. Worst conditions I've ever skied in/on and that's saying something. On the positive side I was not eaten by a hungry bear emerging from hibernation. Hasta la skista!
Date: 3/14/2008
Name: Dave Helwig
Area: Gulf Tower
 

Message: Ok Rick always tells me I talk like the glass is half empty rather than half full. So as depressing as cam looks, iffff/when we get enough snow before the end of the month will make sure make some effort to make the trail skiable for anyone that wants to ski. Will keep the cam on till near end of month depending on if chance for snow.
Date: 3/14/2008
Name: BM
Area: LR
 

Message: Dear xskiguy, I like the web site! Great info!
Date: 3/10/2008
Name: AC
Area: LR
 

Message: click on the links and go to xskiguy.tripod
Date: 3/10/2008
Name:  
Area: Laurel Mountain
 

Message: Any reports for Laurel Mountain above Ligonier? Has anyone skied there?
Date: 3/10/2008
Name:  
Area: Laurel Mountain
 

Message: A skier on Sunday said there was one bad spot at the bottom of one hill at LR but otherwise was fine. I was there for only a short time; spent most of the weekend at Kooser State Park. When the snow hit Saturday there was plenty of snow to ski Saturday afternoon and Sunday. We skied through gorgeous evergreens loaded with snow, crossed bridges that spanned across raging streams, and watched the wind pick up the snow and swirl it around.
Date: 3/10/2008
Name: Sue
Area: LR
 

Message: "Can I have a witness? Can I have a witness?" Come on somebody, what was it like today? Would like to come up Tuesday if it's worth the drive.
Date: 3/9/2008
Name: Dave Helwig
Area: Laurel Ridge
 

Message: what does it look like for sunday? any opinions? the web cam shows maybe an inch of fluff but by morning that could be more. tell me it will be moooore. there is probably on ice base. think snooooow!!!!
Date: 3/7/2008
Name: jes
Area: lr
 

Message: "The Horror! The Horror!" Let's hope that Charlie's Good Ugly comes through. Call me greedy, but I'm not ready to be done.
Date: 3/4/2008
Name: Dave Helwig
Area: Laurel Ridge
 

Message: Ambrose Tuscano, 26th overall, 1:17:05, Great Ski Race, Truckee, CA
Date: 2/5/2008
Name: Stan
Area: Fort Hill
 

Message: Skiing on the Mountain today was absolutely perfect!! There was over a foot of snow. The trails packed nicely giving skiers a great track. Everything was covered on the trail leading to Lippo's Loop. There was alternating blue sky/sunshine and moderate snow showers. It was a beautiful winter wonderland! Keeping my fingers crossed this snow will withstand the warm-up early this week and that more March skiing will be possible!
Date: 3/1/2008
Name:  
Area: Laurel Mountain
 

Message: If you don't feel like driving to the Ridge despite the great conditions I recommend the MT, which has scarcely been skiable this weekend. Heading west there is a good track set in a solid base to the bridge over the Panhandle Trail (about an hour of steady skiing to reach). With predicted temps in teens tonight conditions should be very good tomorrow, especially earlier in the day. Directions from Bridgeville: Route 50 through Cecil> .35 mi. turn right on Southview Rd.> .35 mi. turn right on Galati Rd.
Date: 3/1/2008
Name: Dave Helwig
Area: Montour Trail--Galati Rd. Trailhead
 

Message: Annie, glad you had a great time on Spruce, sans the trees. I don't think this trails gets used, or cleared, like it use to. I'm so upset not to be able to get out and ski. I keep looking at all the web cams and it makes me sick...March, snow, and I can't get out to play in it. Oh well, I do look forward to next year's ski outing atop LM, the picnic, and meeting some new people. See you there!
Date: 3/1/2008
Name: Denny
Area: LM
 

Message: Hi Denny Skip and I skiied Laurel Mountain on Thursday. Spruce was beautiful but there are a couple of trees across the trail in different places. Thanks for the info. Next time we are there we will try your favorite. We skiied Wednesday and Friday in the North Woods. It was incredible. Unfortunately we have committments for the weekend. I am hoping with so much base that even with the early week warm up maybe later week will make a comeback. We look forward to meeting you at the picnic!
Date: 3/1/2008
Name: Annie
Area: Laurel Mountain
 

Message: Skiing, as I'm told, is great atop LM....no rocks. Spruce trail should be gorgeous, the section that is enclosed with all the pines. Wish I was there!
Date: 3/1/2008
Name: Denny
Area: LM
 

Message: Rick & Denny, thank you for the info.
Date: 2/29/2008
Name: Steve
Area: LM
 

Message: Steve...perhaps you could contact PACCSA about a free lesson for your children. We have a number of very competent instructors, some of whom are skaters, too.
Date: 2/29/2008
Name: .Rick G
Area:  
 

Message: Response to Steve: There use to be several places to rent gear in the LV. No more. However, not positive, someone mention that the Compass Inn, Laughlintown, has ski rentals. Check it out. They're located on Rt. 30 across from the Pie Shoppe.
Date: 2/29/2008
Name: Denny
Area: LM
 

Message: Does anyone know of a rental shop that would have kid's sizes? Hopefully somewhere convenient to rt 30. Ligoneer, Laughlintown, etc.. I think that first timers may be better off somewhere that skaters are not whizzing by.
Date: 2/29/2008
Name: Steve
Area: Laurel Mountain Rt 30
 

Message: So most people would be glad to be away from all the snow. Here I sit in sunny Florida gazing at the webcam and boy am I jealous of all of you. back when I scheduled this trip I figured the snow would be gone and it would be "safe" to travel down here. I know many folks would not understand this line of tninking but this is one place where all of you would agree with me. Enjoy that blast my friends and may it not be the last of "Winter 08"...mental note if you are planning a trip to a warm area in the winter consult with Chas the Weather guy first!!
Date: 2/29/2008
Name: Nancy B
Area: sunny Florida