Local trail report

Viroqua Hills Golf Course looked good on Friday - 2 passes (skate only)

Prairie Wind - groomed Saturday (skate and classic)

Maple Dale - groomed Saturday (classis only, will get foot traffic soon)

Now I will move the snowmobile to Timber Coulee and start grooming down there.  

Sorry, I won't be able to groom at Prairie Wind or Maple Dale for a while.

See you Sunday at Prairie Wind.  If anyone has a soccer ball, bring it along!

Sunday Ski at Prairie Wind

Join us for another ski session at Prairie Wind on Sunday, 1 - 4pm.  Same deal as last time; don't park in or block their driveway (see map in earlier post).

I groomed at Prairie Wind on Wednesday afternoon, but it was pretty windy and some sections got drifted over right away.  I'll probably touch it up before Sunday.

Saturday Clinic at Prairie Wind

Come out for a Saturday Ski at Prairie Wind!  Any time between 1 and 4pm is fine.  If there are enough kids, we will split up into a few groups.  The plan is to cover some of the basic technique drills, and of course play some games.  Have fun on skis!

We will have a fire near the pavilion.  Parents can hang out there, run an errand, or ski with us.  Bring some hot dogs or hot chocolate etc if you like.  I will bring the firewood and start the fire.

Important - do not park in the driveway (red X on map)!  If you have 4wd, you can follow the field road (dashed line) out to the new pavilion and park there (green oval).  Otherwise, turn your car around and park tightly against the shoulder on the north side of Prairie Wind Drive (green line).

Prairie Wind is on the southeast side of Viroqua, off Lewison Lane.  Just south of the cemetery.

We are guests... we need to be courteous, not leave any trash or block their driveway etc.  Thanks.

Local Conditions

Last weekend I set some tracks at Prairie Wind and Maple Dale.  Both are short, mostly flat loops close to town.  Prairie Wind is near the end of Lewison Lane on the southeast side of Viroqua.  Park on the east side of Lewison Lane near the Prairie Wind sign.

Maple Dale Fishery Area is a few miles east of town, near the bottom of Maple Dale Road... just west of Pierce Hill Road.  There is a small parking area on the north side of Maple Dale Road near the stream.

KVR is pretty good for skating, and there are some decent skied-in tracks in a few places.  There is also a lot of foot, snowshoe and dog traffic.  But, its pretty good for the amount of snow that we have. 

I have not groomed at Timber Coulee for a while... we need more snow.

Stay tuned for a free clinic on Saturday, January 22 from 1-4pm.

Reminder - do not use our skis to cross roads, sidewalks, areas with no snow, etc.

Fresh tracks in town

Tracks at Prairie Wind

I made one set of tracks at Prairie Wind and also down at Maple Dale today, so there are some local options for classical skiing.  We still need more snow at Timber Coulee.  There is good skating (but no tracks) at Viroqua Hills Golf Course (free) and KVR (need a daily or annual pass).

Bundle up and enjoy the snow, there isn't much in the forecast for a while.

Damn Phunski!

Back for 2022 is the Dam Phunski at Kickapoo Valley Reserve this Saturday. 

5km (11:00 start at Bridge 14) and 1km (11:30 at the maintenance building) options.

The weather looks great.

I have groomed at Timber Coulee, but we need more snow to set tracks.  I also groomed at Prairie Wind, but need to re-do those tracks after the blowing snow recently.  I'll update conditions after the weekend.

2022 Information

Just add snow

Merry Christmas! (even though it doesn't look like winter yet)  I can't guarantee a really snowy winter, and the NWS outlook is not too promising, either.  Last year we didn't have good conditions until almost February.  

For this winter, I will rent out the Club's gear and offer 3 free clinics throughout the winter; tentatively January 22, February 5 and 19.  I have been working on the trails at Timber Coulee and they should be fun to ski once the white stuff comes.

GEAR PICK-UP: In order to streamline the process of picking up your gear, please take a few measurements for me: 

A) Floor to wrist. Your classical skis should come up to somewhere between your wrist and elbow; shorter for younger and beginning skiers. 

B) Floor to "middle of shoulder". Classical poles should be somewhere between your armpit and top of shoulder. 

C) Euro boot size. Google a conversion chart if that helps. I will have several pairs for your child to try on. 

Text this info to me at 608-632-6272 and let me know when you want to pick it up. $50 per set for the season. Make checks to "Snowflake Junior Nordic Ski Club".

WAXING: I have gone away from grip tape in favor of using traditional hard waxes. It requires a little work on your part, but offers better performance in most conditions. I will send two waxes and a cork home with you. I am applying 4 thin layers of Toko Red to all the skis before they go out. This should be good for the first outing or two, but you will need to apply a little of the appropriate wax (temperatures shown on wax) before subsequent sessions. 

CLASSIC/SKATE GEAR: I am sending out classic gear for starters. If your skier wants to switch over to skating later in the season, I can provide different skis (shorter) and poles (longer). No charge.

CONDITIONS: Skis are made for snow. Do not ever ski across roads, sidewalks, etc. Do not ski when there is not enough snow; if you see grass or dirt in your tracks; there is not enough snow and you will damage the skis.