Grooming Reports 2015-2016
2015-2016 Season Summary:
Dates of Operation: December 14, 2015 to March 7, 2016
Season length: 84 days (12 weeks)
March 7, 2016
Turn out the lights, the party's over!
We have ceased grooming at Vallecito Nordic Trails.
Thank you to all of the skiers, snowshoers, dogs and winter recreation enthusiasts who enjoyed a great season out at Vallecito.
And the biggest thank you of all to our Volunteer Groomers!!!
March 3, 2016
Well Folks. The end is near. Trails were groomed yesterday, (Wed. 3/2) and by "trails", I mean most of the main FS Road is still skiable. Beware, rocks, bare ground, etc... do exist.
Most likely, trails will remain open through this coming weekend, 3/6 and unless we get a great deal of snow. Sunday 3/6 will be the last day of the season. If you do go out to ski please use caution!!
Feb 28 Update:
Getting thin but still skiable.
Crust skiing on the lake early mornings 7:30-9:30.
Skiing on main FS road and East Creek (for now) from 9:30-12:00
Road and East Creek groomed today.
We will continue grooming until further notice.
When we DO discontinue grooming, I will post a notice here and on www.vallecitonordic.org
So come and ski while supplies last!
Feb. 26 Update.
Prime skiing window is moving a little earlier everyday.
9:30am-12:00 seems to be the best. Coverage is hold up well. First casualty of the warm weather is the Campground Trail, bare spots do exist on this trail so beware. Coverage on main FS road and beaches is good.
Feb 25, 2016
Approx. 1" of snow on Tuesday night at Vallecito. But the colder temperatures of Tuesday night/Wednesday morning helped to preserve the snow and grant us a reprieve of the melting.
All skate lanes groomed on Wednesday.
Feb 22, 2016
Grooming efforts continue at Vallecito. Warmer and warmer temperatures are creating two skiing windows:
Crust skiing on the beach and fringe of lake,7:30-10:00am
Normal Vallecito nordic trails, 10:00-12:30
Coverage now is sufficient on trails, but sun and temps are taking a toll.
Feb 17, 2016
Similar window of optimal skiing exists: 10:30am-1:00pm
For those of you who are early risers...rumor has it that there is good "pseudo" -crust skiing out on the lake. 8:00am -10:30am.
Some areas of bare ice out there so use caution.
President's day update:
Great skiing today. Best window currently is 10:30am-1:00pm
Skate lanes all groomed today. Best classic tracks appear to be on East Creek. Campground trails have great coverage and are skiing really well. Check them out.
Feb 13, 2016
Warmer temperatures wreaking havoc on the classic tracks.
However, skating remains good from mid-morning to early, early afternoon. Continuing our best efforts grooming. Just hope Mother Nature cooperates!
Feb 11, 2016
Trails groomed again today.
Warm, sunny days are creating a smaller window of optimal skiing at Vallecito.
Best ski conditions are probably from 10:00am - 100pm
Feb 9 2016
Despite the warmer temps. Skiing at Vallecito remains great!
Feb 5th 2016
The Vallecito volunteer army has been hard at work this week grooming the trails after the big storm Sunday/Monday. What that means is...the skiing is going to be great this weekend!
Feb 4, 2016
Hey Vallecito Nordic skiers, please see the post below from our good friend and Vallecito Nordic Supporter,Dominic Schiavone. Let's all help out Hillcrest groomers!!!
Hello Durango Nordic Skiers, What a winter it’s been. I know a lot of you, like me, have been enjoying the skiing on Hillcrest as well as Vallecito. Hillcrest’s snowmobile blew up and they have had to buy a new/used one. Their donation boxes gifts can cover gas, maintenance, etc, but the money for this purchase is obviously above and beyond. Hillcrest is not city-funded, it is a non-profit and is funded by golfers. Thanks to those of you have donated already, and it would be great to show support for the great grooming this year with a little extra donation. Can you swing a $45-100 pledge?
All trails groomed for skating today (Feb.3)
Skiing should just get better and better as we head towards the weekend.
Feb 2, 2016
All that fresh snow has been tamed by Head Groomer Doug today out at Vallecito. All trails groomed for skate and new classic track set. Will be a little soft for skating but cold temps tonight should help snow set up nicely! Enjoy
Feb 2, 2016
6" of new snow reported at Vallecito this Tuesday morning.
We are mobilizing troops, but that much snow will take all day for us to groom. Please be patient. We want to ski as badly as you do. But it will take a while to pack and groom.
Thank you.
Feb 1, 2016
We are doing our best to stay ahead of the snow, with groomers going out each day. Fortunately!!, the snow is accumulating faster that we can groom it. Please be patient and enjoy the freshies. Corduroy is coming to Vallecito very soon.
Jan 29. 2016
Trails are groomed and looking good.
More SNOW coming this weekend!
Isn't it great having a real Winter?
Jan 26
Anybody want to do a fun nordic event?
Nordic Fun Relay Race
"Showdown on the Golf Course"
Wednesday, Jan. 27 5:30pm
(bring your headlamp)
-Free
-All ages and abilities welcom
-Prizes
-Fun
-Feel free to wear your Snowdown costume...or any other costume if you are so inclined
-Spread the word!
All trails groomed today, Monday 1/25.
However, about 1" of fresh snow covered all of the sweet, fresh corduroy that Rob created. Oh well, any snow is good snow!
All trails groomed on Friday 1/22.
Come on out for a great weekend at The Vallecito Nordic Trails
Jan 22, 2016
Here is a great video about VNC demo days from Durango TV
http://www.durangotv.com/video-detail.php?ID=778
Jan 18, 2016
Thanks to all of the skiers, snowshoers, families and dogs who came out yesterday for Demo Day. We had what appeared to be a record turnout.
Also thank you to all of our community partners who make this event happen: Backcountry Experience, 2nd Ave Sports, Pine Needle Mountaineering, Zuke's, Durango Running Company, Bread,
Trails were groomed yesterday (after Demo), so skiing should be great again today!
***Lost & Found Alert*** We found a blue, Stansport fanny pack and one black REI glove out on the trails at Vallecito. These items can be claimed at Durango Running Company, 473 E. College Dr.
(970)764-4366
Thanks again and happy skiing!
Jan 14, 2016
snow is shaping up nicely for DEMO DAY!! This Sunday, Jan.17 from 9:00am - 3:00pm
Come out and try cross country ski gear (classic and skate), and snowshoes from local retailers.
Free Gumbo and Chili while supplies last.
...See More
Trails groomed on Sunday, Jan. 11.
Cold Temperatures out a Vallecito. But it IS Winter after all!
Snow conditions continue to be great.
Bundle up and come on out.
***Don't forget DEMO DAY this coming Sunday, Jan.17...
Jan 10
Lots of skiers out on Saturday enjoying the awesome conditions at Vallecito.
We had two groomers out yesterday (Sat 1/9) and will be back at it again today.
Come out and enjoy the Winter Wonderland that is Vallecito Nordic and please give a tip of your hat to our hard working volunteer groomers!
All trails groomed on Friday 1/8 and classic track set.
With all of this new snow the skating lanes are soft. The skating should set up nicely over the next few days.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the SNOW!!
Jan 8, 2016
Snow continues at Vallecito!
All trails were groomed yesterday (1/7) but fresh snow makes the skating lanes a little soft still. We will continues to groom and pack trails throughtout this storm cycle. Classic skiing will be awesome, the skating will take a while to firm up. But hey, all of this snow is a great problem to have huh?
Jan 2, 2016
2016 is shaping up as a great year for nordic skiing at Vallecito.
All trails were groomed on Jan. 1 and coverage is great.
Check out the "campground trail" between the main road and the lake.
Thanks to the volunteer grooming army for all of their hard work!
Happy New Year!
Trails were all groomed yesterday (12/31) in anticipation of New Year's Day skiers. Come out and enjoy the great snow conditions.
Dec 30th 2015
Snow continues to steadily accumulate on the Vallecito Nordic trails. 2" additional inches today. All trails were groomed and classic track set today. Only one more day of skiing in 2015! Get out there and get a head start on your New Year's resolution.
Trails groomed today (Sat. 12/26) and scheduled to be groomed again tomorrow (Sunday 12/27).
Should be great skiing all weekend!
Happy Holidays
Dec 24th
Groomers will be back at it again this morning (Thurs. 12/24)
Should be great skiing.
Dec 23, 2015
Another 6" or so.
Groomed everything for skating
Some classic track set
Excellent coverage...
except for the East Creek ruts- slowly getting better.
Happy Holidays!! GO SKIING!
Dec 22, 2015
Eight additional inches during the day today (Tues).
Groomed this afternoon but still snowing hard, so that may be buried by morning on Wednesday.
Road to trailhead not plowed this afternoon. May be impassable if not plowed soon.
Travel at your own risk.
Dec 19 2015
The word on the streets is that the skiing/grooming at Vallecito today was fantastic.
Great job groomers.
Should be another sweet day of skiing tomorrow (Sunday)
Dec 17, 2015
Vallecito Nordic trails are groomed.
Early season conditions exist.
Campgrounds a little thin, but skiable. Upper E Creek rough, but ok considering the ruts- beware.
Conditions will improve towards weekend as snow sets up and firms.
...See More
Dec 14th 2015
Vallecito trails received appox. 8 inches of new snow from the Monday storm. Groomers are busy rolling and packing the new snow. Many more hours of grooming are necessary to establish a nice, firm ski surface. At this point, opening day for skiing will most likely be this Saturday, Dec.19!
Please stay tuned for more updates.
Dec 13th, 2015
Almost Enough!
Vallecito received 4-5 inches of snow on Friday night/Saturday.
One more storm (perhaps Monday) and we should be able to groom Main Road and East Creek! It's close