Nordic Pulse

Friday, April 4, 2025

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7:30 AM TEMPERATURE:  A crisp -4.1°C. Today's (Friday's) Environment Canada forecast calls for a high of +13°C. Basically, it's yesterday with the dial turned up from warm to simmer. Cool shades 😎 & sun screen are in order.

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GROOMING: Breaking News: Our trusty skidoo-ginzoo tag team of one(1) was out Thursday night, smoothing out the most aggressively ugly skate-ski tracks while the snow was still soft & compliant. But, as nature intended, the overnight low of -4.1°C has since transformed everything into a frozen slip 'n slide. So if you're skate skiing this morning, expect a delightful combo of very hard and terrifyingly fast. Think less “smooth cruise” and more “accidental Olympic tryout.” Classic spring ski conditions: rock-hard to start, then a gradual transformation into mashed potatoes as the sun and air temp work their magic.

Snow cover? Still plenty on many trails. But be prepared for the odd portage. Or, if you insist on skiing at higher elevations, expect many portages. Maybe ten. Bring your trusty antique rock skis—the ones that should probably be in a museum (side by side with our most eldery & marginally esteemed groomer-operator) but still get regular use & abuse.

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WALKERS  We know the temptation is real—to stride proudly up the center of the ski trails, three abreast, deep in conversation about either the merits of sourdough starters or the depressive demerits of trump's terrible tariffs. But please, for just a few more days, resist the urge. Those boot prints? They freeze overnight and become the next morning’s unwanted ski obstacles. Elephant hunters might get excited seeing those tracks, but skiers? Not so much. Some dedicated skiers are still enjoying the trails - let's share respectfully for these final days of the season.

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SKATE SKIERS Expect an icy trail early on. Steeper pitches may remind you of a high-speed luge track mid slope. If you enjoy the thrill of near-zero control, go for it! Otherwise, patience is key. The snow will soften around 11:00-ish, but pinpointing the perfect ski window is like solving an ancient riddle: Too early? You’ll need hockey skates, a helmet & full padding. Too late?  The smoothly manicured corduroy will have been carved up by everyone else whose timing was better than yours. Use the Goldilocks method—somewhere in the middle should be just right.

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CLASSIC SKIERS  The last set tracks were laid down on Sunday, March 30, which means they’re now in “survival mode.” Expect icy, speedy conditions in the morning, softening in the non-shady stretches as the day warms up. The best classic tracks are likely up in the Northern Lights section, where the shade helps preserve them. If those don’t work, freeform classic skiing is always an option—just pretend you’re pioneering a new route.

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HAZARDS & ADVENTURE ZONES 🚧 Upper elevation trails are rapidly losing their snow. Birch Bend’s top section, which gets more than its fair share of sun and wind, is looking rather sketchy. Proceed with caution—or just embrace the inevitable and add “portage pro” to your skiing résumé.

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Enjoy the trails while they last!