Kenton and Damian groomed Skyway (Sunset, Winslow, Lions, Arroyo, and Vista). Jerry N. (Posted 4:15 PM Sunday) Snow gauge is at 4 feet 8 inches.
Note: Grooming will continue until about mid April on an as needed basis. Heavy snowfall generally decreases the amount of track groomed because of the increased difficulty of grooming. Attempts will be made to keep Skyway trails connected with County Line trails. If there are any problems sticking to this schedule we will try to notify you here.
Help keep this report up-to-date. Been on the Mesa skiing? Drop an email describing the conditions to [email protected] and your report will be posted here. (Who's who in reports below: Kenton is Grooming Coordinator for Skyway and County Line Trail System, Damian is a contract groomer, Fred W. is grooming coordinator for the Ward Creek Trail System, Jerry N. is web editor.)
April 15, 2001 Saturday Two feet new snow! Snow gauge is at six feet.
14 Kilometer groomed skate & classic at Skyway. Two feet new snow! Snow gauge is at six feet. Voice mail from Kenton 4:30PM Saturday. (Posted 6:20 PM Satuday)
April 7, 2001 Saturday Windy with six inches new snow
Sunset, Winslow, and Lions groomed this morning (about 8K total), after 6 inches new snow last night. Snowing pretty hard this afternoon. Soft for skating. Sticky snow. Windy outside of the trees with big snow drifts. Hard to find the trail on the open section of Lions. Leslie O via email Sat, 7 Apr 2001 18:53:50 (Posted Sat 7 Apr 2001 19:35 hrs)
March 30, 2001 Friday Ski early in the day
For 3/30/01, the same posting as 3/23/01. Possible skiff of snow tonight. Spring conditions- best skiing was before noon to avoid sticking. Joyce T. (Posted 9:00 AM Sunday)
Mar 23, 2001 Friday 30 km of groomed trails
All of Skway groomed skate & classic (Sunset, Winslow, Arroyo, Lions, Vista, Scales Rd) Will's Hill not groomed. At County Line Dog Trail, Dog Loop, & Scales Road groomed skate & classic. Loop 1, Loop 2, & Loop 3 groomed classic only. Joyce T. (Posted Friday, 7:15 PM)
Mar 22, 2001 Thursday Spring Skiing Conditions
Ward, Deep Slough, outer Limits snowmobile groomed on Monday. Went skiing today and found it to be good SPRING Skiing. You can go anywhere but early mornings it is icy and toward noon soft. Snowshoers were out using the trails. Ruth W. (Posted Thursday, 8:00 AM)
Mar 19, 2001 Monday County Line groomed classic only
Scales Road, County Line Loop #3, Dog Trail groomed classic only. Jerry N. (Posted 7:40AM, Monday)
Mar 17, 2001 Saturday Skyway only groomed classic & skate, 10 inches new snow
Skyway trails Sunset, Winslow, Lions, Arroyo, Vista groomed classic & skate. 10 inches new snow. Nothing else groomed. Snow gauge at 6 feet. Jerry N. (Posted 6:45PM Saturday)
Mar 13, 2001 Tuesday 8 km groomed on Ward System
Ward, Deep Slough, and Outer Limits trails groomed on Ward Trail system. 18" of new wet snow. Phone call from Ruth W. (Posted Tues, 8:00 PM)
Mar 10, 2001 Saturday About 5 km of Skinned Horse, Finney, Sheep Trails groomed
Skinned Horse, Finney, and Sheep Trails groomed on the Ward trail system. Check your map. This looks like interesting skiing. Phone call from Ruth W. (Posted 8:45 AM Sat.)
Mar 4, 2001 Sunday 21 km groomed skate & classic
Regular scheduled grooming on Friday and Saturday resulted in 21 km of trails groomed classic and skate. Sunset, Winslow, Arroyo, Lions, Vista, Scales, Kannah Crossing, Dog Trail & Dog Loop. Perfect conditions on Saturday and Sunday. Jerry N. (Posted 10 PM, Sunday)
Mar 1, 2001 Thursday 6 inches of new snow on the trails
There is 6 inches on new snow on the trails groomed on Wednesday. Wednesday skate & classic grooming included Sunset, Winslow, Arroyo, Lions, Vista, Scales, Kannah Crossing, Dog Trail & Dog Loop. Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday morning. Jerry N. (Posted 6:10 PM Thursday) Snow gauge is at 5 feet 6 inches.
Feb 27, 2001 Tuesday Tues grooming postponed till Wednesday. Cat will be rented due to heavy snow
Due to the heavy snow falling Monday and Tuesday, grooming postponed till tomorrow Wednesday. Ken will use the Cat to groom so we can expect more to be groomed than if Damian were working alone. With the Cat working we can expect all of Skyway, Kannah Crossing, Scales, and Dog Trail and maybe Dog Loop to be groomed. Jerry N. (Posted 8:15 PM Tues)
Feb 25, 2001 Sunday 8 inches of new snow overnight
Kenton and Damian groomed Skyway (Sunset, Winslow, Lions, Arroyo, and Vista). Jerry N. (Posted 4:15 PM Sunday) Snow gauge is at 4 feet 8 inches.
Feb 24, 2001 Saturday 4 inches new snow on top of today's grooming!
On Thursday afternoon there was about 6 inches of new snow on the trails. Friday Damian groomed the Skyway trails. Saturday morning more snow dumped and so Skyway trails were groomed again. After grooming finished an addition 4 inches dumped on the groomed trail. Classic trail skied in on Lions, Sunset, Winslow, Vista. Skating is possible but tough going in the soft snow. Not groomed: Scales, Kannah Crossing, all of County Line. Jerry N. (Posted 5:45 PM Sat) Snow gauge is at 5 feet.
Feb 17, 2001 Saturday Scales, Kannah Crossing, Dog Trail, Dog Loop groomed today
Feb 16, 2001 Friday Skyway groomed
Groomed classic & skate: Sunset, Winslow, Lions, Arroyo, Vista Not groomed: Scales, Kannah Crossing, Will's Hill, County Line Trails, Loop 1, 2, 3, 4 Dog Loop, Dog Trail. Jerry N. (Posted 7:00 PM)
Feb 16, 2001 Friday Ward Trail system groomed
The main Ward Trail, 7k, was groomed today. It took 5 hours because of the new snow drifts of 18 inches. Fred (Posted 7:45 AM Friday)
Feb 15, 2001 Thurs. 15 inches new snow reported at Powderhorn ski resort
Grooming is scheduled for Friday, but will be slow going with all the new snow. In the five hours the contract groomer will be working we can expect Sunset, Winslow, Lions. Saturday morning grooming should get Vista. I wouldn't expect much more unless the Cat is contracted. Jerry N. (Posted 4:40 PM Thurs)
Feb 14, 2001 Wed. Ward Trail System
Ski tracked from Ward cg to Ward cr res via old Ward trail & staircase. 10"at start & 6" at bottom of powder snow .Wind blown drifts in parks ,protected in trees. Good back country skiing. Fred (Posted 3:30PM Wed)
Feb 14, 2001 Wed. New snow since last scheduled grooming on Tuesday
Weather Service reports 8 inches new snow on the Grand Mesa and 4 inches new snow at Powderhorn since last scheduled grooming on Tuesday. Next scheduled grooming is Friday. Jerry N. (Posted 1:45 PM Wed)
Feb 11, 2001 Sunday All of Skyway groomed skate & classic, also Scales, Dog Loop & Trail
Click on image to enlarge and read report from groomer
Feb 10, 2001 Saturday Ward Trail System groomed after 6 inches new snow
Friday, the main Ward Trail, 7 km and the Ward Trail 1.7 km were snowmobile groomed. There was about 6 inches of new snow at the campground. The remaining 7 km of trails are back country. Fred W. via email (Posted 1:00 PM Saturday)
Feb 3, 2001 Saturday 7 km groomed at Ward Trail System
Groomed Feb2 w/roller 7K on main Ward Trail by Charles Stoner. Old Ward 1.1K on east side of Deep Slough tracked by skidoo. Fred W. (Posted 10AM Saturday)
Feb 2, 2001 Friday 21 km groomed skate & classic, 5 km classic
17 km groomed skate & classic at Skyway. 4 km groomed skate & classic at County Line. 5 km groomed classic only at County Line Loop #3. Sunset, Winslow, Lions, Arroyo, Vista, Scales all groomed skate & classic at Skyway. Dog Loop & Dog Trail groomed skate & classic at County Line. (Posted 5:30 PM Friday from phone message from Kenton)
Jan 29, 2001 Monday Miles and Jim broke trail on Kannah Crossing
Miles and Jim broke trail Monday from the Vista Loop thru the Kannah Crossing. We came back the same way since Scales Lake Road had to much snow.
Jim D. (Email from Jim sent 7:36 AM, Posted 5:40 PM Monday)
Jan 28, 2001 Sunday 12 inches of new snow, still snowing Sunday afternoon
Click on the above image for today's grooming report. Snow on the highway melted away from Jumbo to Grand Junction. Grand Mesa Classic had twenty participants. Course was two laps of Winslow and Sunset. Kenton Shaw and Suzi Evans were the winners. (Posted 4:00 PM Sunday, Jerry N)
Jan 21, 2001 Sunday 22 kilometers groomed
22 kilometers groomed Sunday morning classic and skate including County Line Dog Trail & Dog Loop, Scales Road, Kannah Crossing, Vista Loop, Lions, Sunset, Winslow. Fresh snow, about two inches, was soft, fast in the sun, and slow in shade, more so than usual. Jerry N. (Posted 4:00 PM Sunday)
Jan 20, 2001 Saturday AM cloud sitting on the Mesa makes for fog and freezing fog
Skiing conditions were good. About one or two inches of new snow from freezing fog. High humidity made temperatures feel colder than they actually were. No grooming required. All trails good for skating and classic. Jerry N. (Posted Sunday 9:30 AM)
Jan 15, 2001 Monday New snow makes for great skiing
The snow at Ward was wonderful powder ranging from 10/12 inches at the Campground to 6/8 inches at the reservoir. Perfect back country skiing on about 16.3 km of trails. The majority of the trails are track out. Ruth (Posted Monday 7:20 AM)
5 km at County Line (Dog Trail) groomed classic only on Sunday morning. All of Skyway beautifully groomed Saturday night and ready for the many people who came to enjoy it on Sunday. Lots of cars in all parking lots. Jerry N. (Posted Monday 7:20 AM)
Jan 13, 2001 Saturday Kenton rents the Cat from Grand Mesa Lodge and grooms more!
19 Kilometers groomed skate and classic at Skyway. All loops at Skyway plus Scales Road groomed skate and classic. The Cat packs the new snow a little better for skating so skating should be good tomorrow. Plan tomorrow is to groom 5 kilometer classic at County Line. (Posted 8:45 PM Saturday after a phone call from Kenton)
Jan 13, 2001 Saturday
12 inches of new snow
Sunset, Lions, Winslow, Vista Loops groomed. Four inches of snow fell during the grooming process. Snow was falling until early afternoon. Snow is pretty soft for skating. Classic tracks not machine set but skied in by skiers. Classic skiing is good. Snow partially removed from parking lot due to cars being in the way. Highway 65 snowpacked and icy in spots but sanding gives good traction from Powderhorn to Skyway. Highway clear up to Powderhorn with occasional icy spots. Jerry N. (Posted 5:00 PM Saturday)
Jan 9, 2001 Tuesday Kilometer count of groomed trails reported by Kenton
22 km groomed for skating and classic at Skyway and County Line. 8 km groomed for classic at County Line. Loop #4 at County Line broken but not groomed. (Posted 10PM Tuesday)
Jan 6, 2001 Saturday Racers! Tomorrow's Race Course posted here!
Tomorrow's race course takes the south side of Lions, south side of Vista to Kannah Crossing to Scales Road, Scales Road to south side of Lions to Finish Line.
22 km groomed classic and skating. New is County Line groomed for skating Dog Trail to Scales Road. Also Will's Hill groomed for first time this year. Skiing is excellent!
Jan 1, 2001 Monday Kannah Crossing to Radio Tower groomed classic & skating
County Line still classic only. New is Kannah Crossing from east end of Vista Loop to Radio Tower groomed classic and skating. Scales Road groomed classic and skating from Skyway to Radio Tower. All of Skyway and Scales Road groomed. Classic tracks still in good shape inspite of lack of new snow. Jerry N. (Posted 3:45 PM Monday)
Dec 30, 2000 Saturday County Line groomed Classic only
County Line groomed Classic only, Dog Loop, Dog Trail groomed. Perfect classic conditions. Scales Road groomed skating and classic to radio tower. Lots cars in all parking lots. Looked like the busiest day of the year. Highway Dept has done a great job of clearing snow from parking lots and making them bigger than usual. Plenty of room for everybody. Jerry N. (Posted 4:20 PM Saturday)
Dec 29, 2000 Friday 7 km of Ward trail groomed on 12/28
7 km of the Main Ward Trail was groomed 12/28 by Mary Bohl & John Monarch (contract) There are about 9 km of back country trails tracked out by skiers. The snow is GREAT. Fred W.
Skyway and County line groomed today, Friday, for skating and classic as planned. I didn't talk to Damian but skied Skyway and some of Scales Road and it appears that the planned grooming for today, Friday, has been completed. (See previous report) Jerry N. (Posted 3:30 PM Friday)
Dec 26, 2000 Tuesday
4 inches new, Skyway groomed, County Line
classic only
Four inches new snow. Skyway loops Vista, Winslow, Sunset, Lions groomed for skating and classic. Scales Rd to Radio tower to Scenic Viewpoint to County Line parking lot via loop #3 groomed classic only. County Line parking lot Dog Loop to Loop #3 through trees to Scales Lake and Scales Road groomed classic only. Plan for Friday is to groom for skating all currently groomed for classic only. Jerry N. from conversation with groomer Damian. (Posted 5:00 PM Tuesday) Snow gauge = 34 inches
Dec 23, 2000 Saturday County Line groomed classic only
Country Line groomed classic only, Dog Loop and Loop #3. Dog Trail broken, not groomed, Loop #4 broken. Scales Road Skyway to radio tower and all skyway loops groomed skate & classic. Jerry N. (Posted 8:00 AM Sunday)
Dec 21, 2000 Thursday Vista Loop & County Line groomed
General conditions: Mostly sunny, very slight breeze, snow "granular", starting to settle from last week's dump, so that should facilitate grooming, especially at Ward. Also means snow is starting to set up for some good backcountry. Ward System: People/machine packed from campground to Ward Creek- "really nice snow" was the comment from a group that came down. County Line: Several cars today- last groomed on Sunday to my knowledge, but there was a blizzard that afternoon. Looked pretty well skier-packed. Skyway: Groomed Tuesday. All trails open (including Vista and Scales) and great for classic. Some areas blown in a little, and snow "soft" in areas for skating, but pretty good. Joyce T. (Posted Dec 21, 8:00 AM)
Dec 21, 2000 Thursday Ward Trail groomed on Wednesday
Groomed Wed. a.m. the main Ward Trail, 7km. Groomed by contract groomer Charles Stoner. Some blowing and drifting of snow. Fred W. (Posted 8:00 AM Thursday, Dec 21)
Dec 17, 2000 Sunday Vista Loop & County Line groomed
Two fallen trees removed from Vista Loop. Vista Loop groomed. County Line Loop #3, Dog Trail to Scales Road, Scales Road to Skyway groomed. Sunday afternoon windy, snowing. Jerry N. (Posted 4:00 PM Sunday, Dec 17)
Dec 17, 2000 Sunday Groomed Ward Campground to Ward Creek Reservoir 7 Kilometers
Ward Creek was groomed w/28" snowmobile track on noon Saturday. Man hrs to complete: ski 9 hrs, snowshoe16 hrs, snowmobile16 hrs. The rock slides are covered. Recommend dog booties for changing snow conditions. Fred (Posted 4:00 PM Sunday, Dec 17)
Dec 16, 2000 Saturday Ward Trail powder
Howdy - perfect day for Ward Trail - even south-facing slopes were powder for some turns . . . Kelli, Tanner, and Asha from Delta. (Posted 8:00 AM Sunday, Dec17)
Dec 16, 2000 Saturday Fallen tree on Vista Loop
I was up skiing today and broke trail on Vista Loop. It appeared a tree had fallen down right across the trail on vista loop. It was hard to tell because the wind must have blown and it was a little difficult to see exactly where the trail went. The snow was excellent and it was a beautiful day. Beth (Posted 8:00 AM Sunday, Dec 17)
Dec 16, 2000 Saturday Cold, dry freshly groomed snow
Sunset, Winslow, and Lions loops at Skyway groomed. Heavy snowfall during week. Snow gauge at 3 feet. (Posted 4:30 PM based on Jerry N. skiing at Skyway)
Dec 15, 2000 Friday 24 inches of new snow at Ward Campground behind the Visitor Center
About 24 inches at Ward Campground. Ran snowmobile down 4.6 km today. Fred Wild (Posted 9:00 AM Friday)
Dec 14, 2000 Thursday 20 inches of new snow for the week
10 km groomed at Skyway. Tree down on Winslow slowed grooming. Tree will be completely removed by Saturday. Reported by Damien to Kenton to Jerry. (Posted 8:30 PM Thursday)
Dec 13, 2000 Wednesday Report from Ward Lake
Hi! My sis and I skied up from Ward Lake but didn't get too far in 1 hr. .. breaking about 8-12 inches! I might try again today...Jan Rupp (Posted on the web at 11:00 AM Wednesday)
Dec 11, 2000 Monday Twelve inches of new snow.
Today Monday 12-11 skied from Water Dog Res to Long Slough Res. We broke trail in 8-12 inches of new snow. JIM DUBOIS (Posted on the web at 8:05 AM Tuesday)
Dec 10, 2000 Sunday Trace of new snow.
Grooming report phoned in at 8:00 AM by Kenton on the Grand Mesa. About 1" new snow. Snowing lightly. Windy. Can't groom, but still 15 kilometer of trails groomed yesterday good for classic and skating. Trails in the trees such as Sunset offer protection from the wind. (Posted on the web at 8:05 AM) Snow gauge at 2 feet.
Dec 9, 2000 Saturday New Snow !
7:30 AM Report from Kenton via cell phone: 2" new snow. Temp. 23 degrees. Partly cloudy. 15 kilometer groomed for skating and classic. (Posted on web at 7:45 AM)
Dec 2, 2000 Groomed:
No new snow. Lions loop and Winslow loop groomed for the race. Nice new track set on those loops. Sunset, Vista, County Line to Scales Road, Scales Road from Skyway to radio tower to Scenic View on loop 3, good skiing on old snow and on previously groomed trails. Excellent glide especially in warm afternoons.
Nov 25, 2000
One inch new snow overnight. No new grooming. Excellent classic and skating on all trails groomed since Nov 12. Scenic overlook to County Line parking lot not groomed but used by many skiers. A little too narrow for skating. Trail broken for classic on loop #4. Excellent glide especially afternoon as temperatures rise.
Nov 21, 2000 Groomed:
Dog Loop, radio tower to scenic vista on loop #3.
Nov 18, 2000 Groomed:
Winslow Loop, Sunset Loop, Lions Loop, Vista Loop
Skyway to radio tower via Scales Road is excellent for classic or skating. County Line to Scales Road excellent for classic or skating.
Nov 12, 2000 Groomed:
Skyway to radio tower via Scales Rd. County Line to Scales Road
