Category: Conditions

I am so impressed by the dedication of our staff, both grooming and working the ski shop, shoveling and plowing etc…and our skiers. They are so loyal and dedicated to our ABR FAMILY.

We groomed up 78 km of trails today at -18 F, set tracks on 61 km. Skiers were pleased. I am so impressed with the turn out of skiers on a cold day, the wooded trails were used mostly and the trailside warming cabins were heated by skiers to help extend the distance they could venture out to.

Monday we plan to touch up skate lanes, Re track the Highlands, re-track Puumala…maybe more.

dedicated groomer, and future Chief Groomer, with matching nose tape

dedicated wife and ski shop boss

this is why we do what we do..this group of 4 families (many missing from photo) have been coming for 21 years on MLK Weekend, the children were 3-5 years old when they came here in 2004.

Not sure where to start…how much fun the groomers had or how much fun the skiers had.

we groomed up 72 km of trail today, most with resetting tracks. The wind last night was not kind to our grooming yesterday. Skiing was highly rated today, I was working the ski shop, chalet, rental shop and wax barn/restroom buildings and skiers were very pleased. Very fun to hear of the positive response to our transitioning the ski trail business we built for 30 years to a non profit Foundation.

Saturday lunchbox sponsored by the local Northwinds Coop was a hit today with 31 lunches delivered. Next week is Rigonis Bakery….great pasties.

3 groomers heading out again in the morning, the 2 remote warming cabins were warmed today, just remember to run the wood stoves safely..DO NOT leave the stove doors open, DO NOT stack combustible material on the stove or close by, and over firing/stocking the stoves with too much wood is not good. Dress warm, plan a wooded route and have fun tommorow!

Trails groomed up well this morning, the tracks are great full depth and well formed, very few areas to step out of to avoid debris. All trails are open and we plan to groom all or most of the combi trails early morning. It is really fun to see the recreational skiers out enjoying the trails. We have 92 km groomed and open for skiing. Don’t forget to order your Lunch Box Saturday order, this Saturday sponsor is our local coop deli, Northwinds.

2-3 inches of new snow, groomers were out grooming and setting tracks on 85 k this morning, 100% open

just a dusting last night and -9 F early morning so I called the grooming off at 4:30 am. We have fresh tracks on all the classic only trails and 1 day old tracks on the combi trails. I was pleasantly surprised with the skier traffic today as the temps rose to 10 but with a south wind. Our open trailhead is open but as the skiers enter the woods they are sheltered. Most skiers were classic today and I sent them on the Tammarack 2 track…a nice 12 km loop to Jason park with a warming shelter….many carried on to the Puumala trails classic only 9 km, which were reported as very good except the entrance and the wetlands crossing. Jack pine/White Pine were also reporting very good. After 47 days of being open for skiing we have been very pleased with conditions and attendance.

we have a groom crew showing up early morning and expect great skiing tomorrow at temps in the 20’s. Don’t forget “Lunchbox Saturday “. This Saturday the local “Northwinds Co-op” is providing preordered lunches to ABR ski trails main chalet or ticket booth. Details coming on the menu tomorrow morning or on Facebook. Looks like a great healthy lunch opportunity to enjoy in the ABR chalet.