GROOMING #87!!!!! 2023/24
March 18th, 2024- The last grooming of the season happened today with a quick hour from one volunteer groomer to make the last beautiful corduroy on the FS Road at Vallecito Nordic Club trails until next season.
We look forward to skiing with you all next year!
GROOMING #86!! 2023/24
March 17th, 2024- And a Happy Saint Patty’s Day to you all with 4” of new snow for our next to last day of grooming in the 2023-24 season! One groomer gave you 3.5 hours setting up skating on the FS Road, Burnt Meadow and even East Creek.
GROOMING #85!! 2023/24
March 16th, 2024- Four-to five inches of new snow this morning! Two volunteer groomers gave you 3 hours each today with skating corduroy on the FS road to Burnt Meadow and East Creek. The pair also set new classic tracks in from East Creek on the FS Road- note some are discontinuous due to limited snow depth.
GROOMING #84!! 2023/24
March 15, 2024- We got 4-5 inches of snow and it’s still snowing hard (yes the “snow globe” experience) at 11 am!! A solo volunteer groomer set up the FS Road for skating out to the base of East Creek and set new classic tracks .Do mind the thin spots…Today you received another gift of 3.5 hours :)
GROOMING #83!! 2023/24-sort of…
March 13, 2024- A new 1/2 of snow, but new melted spots on the FS Road an new “glaciers on the Beach greeted our solo volunteer groomer- who wisely punted after a bit. We will suspend grooming for 3/14/24 and see if there is enough snow to revive the skiing on the FS Road. Stand by
GROOMING #82!! 2023/24
March 12, 2024- Two volunteer groomers went out three hours each to battle the rutted ice this morning at 7:30 and 24 degrees. Sadly the FS road is not responding to our best efforts and remains icey, rutted, and poor skiing. The Beach is reported to be better after grooming and skiable. Unless the incoming storm provides a good new base, we are very close to being done after a fantastic season of skiing..
GROOMING #81!! 2023/24
March 11, 2024- The Beach and the FS Road to the base of East Creek were groomed for skating today by a solo volunteer groomer who gave your 2.5 hours.The beak is reportedly good skiing! and the FS Road…”fair”
GROOMING #80!! 2023/24
March 10, 2024- Another 3.5 hours of volunteer groomertime brought you newly groomed skating on the Beach, FS Road and East Creek!
GROOMING #79!! 2023/24
March 9, 2024-The Beach and FS Road to East Creek (but not up East Creek) were groomed for skating by a solo volunteer groomer over the course of 3 hours.
GROOMING #78!! 2023/24
March 8, 2024- After 4 hours by a solo volunteer groomer the Beach is groomed to Pine Point, and East Creek was nursed back to pretty good skiing! It was 20 degrees at 7:20am this morning.
GROOMING #77!! 2023/24
March 7, 2024- Yes a solo volunteer groomer went out today with temps of 25 degrees at 7:30 AM ! Just view it as a diet- The FS Road trails now extend only just past the East Creek turn off to bare spot of warmth beneath twin pines. East Creek was also groomed has 3 bare spots making it a ski’n walk affair (go for the multi-sport!!) and the best news is that the Beach was groomed and is still good skiing!
We plan to groom the trails tomorrow morning :)
GROOMING #76!! 2023/24
March 6, 2024- The FS Road to Burnt Meadow, East Creek and the Beach were groomed for skating today after a 7:30 Am start at 26 degrees and another roasting 40 degrees at 11am (a.k.a. “the witching hour”). Part of that 4.5 hours from one volunteer groomer today was spent in a semi-desperate attempt shoveling snow to keep lower East Creek and the FS Road between Two Pines open. Let’s see if tomorrow’s predicted light snow changes the outlook for our increasingly short ski trails!
GROOMING #75!! 2023/24
March 5, 2024- Wow, after four passes by groomers skating was good again on the Beach, the FS Road, Burnt Meadow, and East Creek. The classic tracks? Well they are kind-of not a thing right now in our Spring Fling! Two volunteer groomers gave you a 9 combined hours today -they reported 20 degrees at 8am.
GROOMING #74 2023/24
March 4, 2024 -Grooming for skating today included a scrumptious Limited Springtime Menu which included the FS Road to Burnt Meadow and the Beach to just outside of Pine Point campground. This took two volunteer groomers 3 hours each to cook up. Grooming / skating meal prep began at 8am with the temperature at 28 degrees and it was a roasting 40 degrees by 11 or 12. Look for the reality cooking and nordic skiing shows to find Vallecito Nordic soon! and…Ski it while you can!
GROOMING #73 2023/24
March 3, 2024- A solo volunteer groomer went out this morning in the new 1/2” of snow and groomed the Beach, the FS road, East Creek, and Burnt Meadow for skating. He also shoveled snow at “twin trees” (two quite lovely Ponderosas!) just past the East Creek turn off to make it possible to get through with our grooming equipment. We closed of the the southern-most access road to Pine pnt CG from the road due to melt out. The skiing was slow (what is the correct wax for the layer of pine needles after all this wind?) and the snow was slushy…perhaps it was not the apex of skiing conditions for this fantastic season :)
GROOMING #72! 2023/24-
March 2, 2024- The main road, East Creek and beach were groomed for skating.
Sadly, two mountain bikers rode the entire beach late in the day and left deep trenches. A lot of effort was expended getting those fat tire tracks smoothed. If our volunteers charged,and we included gas/machine time, our non-profit paid the equivalent of $250 to remove these ruts - be sure to tell your friends: “friends don’t let friends bike on on Vallecito Nordic trails!”
The warm temperatures and lack of new snow are catching up with us. Be careful just below the Eat Creek turnoff on the main road. The snow there is thin and only covers a narrow section of the road. Maybe tonight and tomorrow we’ll get some snow!?
GROOMING #71! 2023/24-
March 1, 2024- The main roads and beach were groomed. Campground trails are pretty sketchy - a mix of snow, ice gravel and pine needles. Please be very careful if you venture on those trails. Our groomer/skier says, “Skiing at 11 am pretty good. Nature’s grooming on the lakeshore was the best.”
GROOMING #70! 2023/24-
Feb 29, 2024- Two volunteer groomers leapt into action this morning at 19 degrees for our Leap Year day! The main skate super highways (FS Road, East Creek, and The Beach) and few connectors were groomed for skating over the course of 3.5 hours (combined 7 hrs groomer time total). The campgrounds were skipped as the snow in thin in there. The skiing was good!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow morning, March 1st!
GROOMING #69 2023/24-
Feb 28,2024- A cool day today after yesterday’s storm, it was 6 degrees at 7:30 and 36 degrees at noon. After yesterday’s “magic melding” by groomers, today’s volunteer grooming pair were able to groom all trails for skating and set new classic tracks on the road, Burnt Meadow, East Creek and the Beach. That took 5 hours for each of them. The skiing was pretty good today!
The longer sunny and warm days are taking their toll with bare spots showing up near the beach entrance to North Point Campground and dangerously thin conditions between Burnt Meadow and North Point CG. Let’s hope for a bit more snow Sunday!
GROOMING #68 2023/24-
Feb 27, 2024- Just about 4” of snow lay atop rain-soaked slush this morning while temperature hovered at 33 degrees. Another 2” of snow fell while 2 volunteer groomers gave you 4 hours each to “meld” the disparate substances into one skate-skiable surface. Today’s work should make a good base for tomorrow’s grooming.
GROOMING #67 2023/24-
Feb 26, 2024- It was barely below freezing (29) when two volunteer groomers started at 7:30 this morning. After 4 hours of work for each, and overheating machines (breaking up the ice with the teeth down on our “tidds” puts a lot of resistance on the motors..then they overheat) the skating was reported to be pretty good. Do your snow dances!
GROOMING #66 2023/24-
Feb 25, 2024- Yes we are grooming! and yet we are not “Waiting For Godot”, rather we are..”Waiting for da Snow” as dey say up in da UP ja know! Three and a half hours from one groomer started early today just after the last stars and planets faded in the dawn sky. The temperature was 25 degrees. All trails were groomed for skating and the temperatures approached 50 degrees by 1pm.
GROOMING #65 2023/24-
Feb 24, 2024- It was a beautiful day at Vallecito today! Another solo volunteer groomer did a pass on all trails to set hem up for skating with spring conditions. The crust skiing on the beach is great early in the day!
GROOMING #64 2023/24-
Feb 23, 2024, It took three passes on all trails and 6 hours before our lone groomer today was satisfied hat there was great skating to be had at Vallecito..again!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow 2/24/24
GROOMING #63 2023/24-
Feb. 22,2024- All trails were groomed for skating this morning by two volunteer groomers who gave you a combined 8 hours of their Thursday. They reported lots of happy skiers on the trails on a beautiful day at Vallecito!
GROOMING #62 2023/24-
Feb 21, 2024- There is great skiing to be had - mostly before the higher temperatures after 12 noon. Nine and a half hours of grooming by 2 volunteer groomers got all trails set for skating and hard won new classic racks set. It was 29 degrees at 7:30 and a toasty (sadly) 43 degrees at 2:20pm.
GROOMING #61 2023/24-
Feb 20, 2024- The warmer temperatures are making it challenging, but 2 groomers hit the window between ice and “cotton” for a combined 8.5 hours to keep all trails good for skating. The classic tracks are a bit beat up at the moment.
Grooming is scheduled for 2/21 - catch it before the slow snow of the afternoon!
GROOMING #60 2023/24-
Feb 19, 2024- Despite 2 overheating snow machines, two intrepid groomers gave you 5 hours each today to get most trails set for skate skiing. It was 20 degrees at about eight o’clock this morning at the trailhead.
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Feb 20th.
GROOMING #59 2023/24-
Feb 18, 2024- With our warmer temperatures in the day, and the refreezing at night, the challenge to make great corduroy takes tenacity. Today that was manifested in 5 hours from a solo volunteer groomer hitting some stretches with as many as 8 passes to coax ice to good skating. All trails were groomed for skating.
Incidentally, congrats to one of Friday’s groomers who won the women’s 30 Km Langlauf on Saturday! Whoop whoop!
GROOMING #58 2023/24-
Feb 17, 2024-Bright stars shown as our solo volunteer groomer headed out this morning. After multiple passes and 6.75 hours the skating was was “fast and smooth”! The pursuit of the perfect nordic mandala continues at Vallecito!
GROOMING #57 2023/24-
Feb 16, 2024 - What would you do f you were going to ski the 30km Langlauf Race tomorrow at the Nordic Center? Obviously… if you were part of our Vallecito Nordic Club volunteer grooming squad you’d offer to fill in for injured friends. Thais what happened for you this morning as our racer joined with another goomer at 17 degrees to work the snow machine for 3.5 hours. After multiple passes and combined 7 hours, the skating was great!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow (Feb 17 )morning by an early rising lone groomer.
GROOMING #56 2023/24-
Feb 15, 2024- Seven combined hours from 2 volunteer groomers resulted in all trails groomed for skating - and the classic tracks look great. Ski it while it lasts!
Grooming is scheduled for Saturday morning Jan 16th.
GROOMING #55 2023/24-
Feb 14, 2024- A hearty Happy Valentines Day from two volunteer groomers who each gave you a 1/6 of their Valentines Day! (yes 4 hour each). All trails where beautifully groomed for skating and the classic tracks are still great!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Feb 15th.
GROOMING #54 2023/24-
Feb13, 2024- Fantastic grooming today by our father-son volunteer team who gave you 4.5 hours each after starting at 3 degrees at 7am. All trails were groomed for skating and new crisp classic tracks were set. “World Cup “ conditions are there for those who come ahead of the late afternoon warmth. A big thank you and au revoir to today’s groomers before they return to France next week!
GROOMING #53 2023/24-
Feb 12, 2024- It was a balmy (not!) 8 degrees this morning when our two volunteer groomers started the sleds and spent the next five hours each slaving away to bring you wonderful corduroy for skating.
Kindly move well out of the way of groomers as they approach and keep you dogs out of the way as well- we almost had a leash entanglement today that could have injured dog, owner, and groomer. Thank you :)
GROOMING #52 2023/24-
Feb 11, 2024- With the thermometer reading Zero degrees this morning and bit more new snow, our Sunday dynamic duo of volunteer groomers snow farmed for 6 hours each. They groomed all trails for skating -much to the delight of skiers! Conditions are still a bit soft which is not too surprising given the 20+ inches of snow which fell at Vallecito in the last 5 days!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow morning Feb 12th.
GROOMING #51 2023/24-
Feb 10, 2024- Happy Lunar New Year- the year of the (snowy?) Wood Dragon! All trails were groomed for skating this morning after a solo groomer gave you 3.5 hours of their Saturday. The beaches, FS road, and East Creek are still a bit soft for skating, but the trails in the campgrounds are nice and firm. The classic skiing is…superior!
Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow morning, Sunday Feb. 11th.
GROOMING #50 2023/24-
Feb 9, 2024- This morning 8-10” of light dry snow greeted the team of 3 volunteer groomers. After a combined 15 hours the snow had been compacted, groomed for skating ( a wee tad soft) and new classic tracks were set! Amazing! Come and ski it!
GROOMING #49 2023/24-
Feb 8, 2024- With 2-3 inches of new snow this morning two groomers gave you a combined 6 hours to to make wall to wall corduroy for skating. Rumor has it that the best skiing is through the campgrounds right now.
Tomorrow morning (Saturday 2/9/24) 3 groomers plan to groom all trails for skating and set new classic tracks!
GROOMING #48 2023/24-
Feb 7, 2024- Nearly lost in the snow globe, two volunteer groomers groomed (no, that is not redundant) all trails for skating in the 6” of new snow - while more fell. That took them a combined 9 hours, and then the gracious lads helped a skier get a car unstuck. Hurrah!
GROOMING #47 2023/24-
Feb 6,2024- All trails groomed for skating after 5.5 combined hours from two groomers. It was great skiing!
GROOMING #46 2023/24
Feb 5, 2024-All trails were groomed for skating this morning by two gracious volunteer groomers. The classic tracks will be reset after we get more snow :) Ski you out there!
GROOMING #45 2023/24-
Feb 4, 2024- All trails were once again transmogrified from chunky ice to great skating by a solo groomer who gave you best for 4.5 hours Sunday.
GROOMING #44 2023/24-
Feb 3, 2024- Great skiing after 2 groomers gave you 11 hours combined to get all trails beautifully groomed for skating and classic!! We had a great set of skate and classic clinics!
Grooming is anticipated for Sunday morning - come enjoy!
GROOMING #42 2023/24-
Feb. 2, 2024 - El Nino delivers moisture due to higher ocean temperatures in the equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean - in this storm we got both, warmer temperatures and moisture - some rain some snow. Valiantly two groomers spent a combined 10 hours compacting and grooming the 4-5” of wet snow on all trails and the ski clinic area - with some (mis?)adventures. The predicted low of 23 degrees tonight should help firm up the surface for the morning’s grooming and free skate clinics tomorrow morning! (see the Events tab)
GROOMING #41 2023/24-
February 1, 2024- It was a warm night for the last day of January with a low of 28 degrees. Two volunteer groomers got after it for 5 hours each to make multiple passes on all trails for skating. The skating was very good from 10-12:30, then began to get a bit soft in the sun.
We are predicted to get 5-11” of snow tonight and during the day tomorrow (snowdown!!), so we anticipate grooming in the snow globe late morning. Find your classic skis!
GROOMING #40 2023/24-
January 31, 2024- Transmogrification is the word of the day, “a strange or preposterous metamorphosis”. That is what happened today when the rock-like frozen ruts of yesteray’’s late afternoon skating were… wait for it,… transmogrified into to “remakabley good, fast and fun skating” everywhere except Graham Creek Campground and the boat ramp! Two volunteer groomers made multiple passes to accomplish this over the course of 8 combined hours.
GROOMING #39 2023/24
January 30, 2024- All trails groomed for skating after 10 combined hours from 2 two volunteer groomers. Again the classic tracks will have to wait for new snow to be reset because the overnight freeze of the wet afternoon snow makes them impossible to reset with our equipment. Do your snow dances for this next storm! - And be careful near the trailhead, PRID is providing sand/gravel, but the road near the porta potties is very icy!
GROOMING #38 2023/24
January 28, 2024- All trails were groomed again for skating this morning as we await better conditions for renewing the classic tracks. The groomer news is that the mashed potato effect did not kick in until 2-2:30 pm. Two groomers “bashed about” on your behalf for a combined 8 hours today. BTW - it is not clear if we will be grooming Monday (1/29) morning, even our super-hero volunteer groomers have Dr. appointments some days. :)
GROOMING #37 2023/24
January 27, 2024, As the stars finally faded and the magnificent full moon bathed Vallecito, two volunteer groomers started their Saturday skate lane mendala on all trails (see new photo at right). After 10 combined hours the skating was fun and fast. Despite good efforts, the snow was too hard to set new classic tracks.
GROOMING #36 2023/24
January 26, 2024- All trails groomed for skating after a hard freeze overnight. The classic tracks are getting a bit worn/glazed, but are pretty good given the high temperatures. Two groomers gave you a gift of a combined of 9 hours. We anticipate grooming tomorrow morning.
GROOMING #35 2023/24
January 25, 2024-A It was a delightful 27 degrees at 8am this morning at the trailhead. All trails where groomed for skating after multiple passes by two volunteer groomers who gave you a combined 10 hours of their Thursday. The resulting corduroy was excellent skating and the low snow clouds even gave us great snow squalls!!
GROOMING #34 2023/24
January 24, 2024- It was 28 degrees at 7:30am and up to 34 degrees by11:30am. Probably the most experienced pair of groomers Durango has to offer (yes volunteers) spent 4 hours each (8 total) grooming the skate lanes multiple times-first “pulling up popcorn” then laying down corduroy on subsequent passes. There are a few slick spots- but phenomenal skating awaits! The classic tracks are still square and…beautiful. Grooming is scheduled for tomorrow, Jan. 25 in the morning.
GROOMING #33 2023/24
January 23, 2024- After two volunteer groomers made multiple passes grooming to comb the icey spots, all trails were set for skating. As the temperatures headed for the mid 30s late morning the skating was fast and lots o’ fun! The classic tracks are holding up well.
GROOMING #32 2023/24
January 22, 2024- It was 30 degrees at 8 am this morning as two volunteer groomers set out to renew all trails for skating and put in new classic tracks! It was another 10 combined hours in your skiing gift basket!
GROOMING #31 2023/24
January 21, 2024- A month past Solstice and wet snow was falling all day at Vallecito as two volunteer groomers refreshed all trails for skating - and practiced their snowmobile grooming “tidd” extraction techniques. After a combined 12 hours in the moist snowglobe they claimed the temporary triumph that is grooming in the falling snow.
GROOMING #30 2023/24
January 20, 2024- All trails groomed for skating by 2 volunteer groomers who gave you a total of 7.5 hours tody. The classic are getting a bit glazed with ice. hopefully we’ll get some new snow and can reset the classic tracks soon.
GROOMING #29 2023/24
January 19, 2024- Six hours total from two volunteer groomers got the skate lanes refreshed and the classic tracks are still great!
GROOMING #28 2023/24
January 18, 2024- “Hero snow “, “dreamy skating”, “Days of Heaven” “creamy” “Perrrrrfect classic!”, “forever glides”… When multiple days of great grooming, snow conditions and perfect wax converge ?…well that was this morning at Vallecito! Starting out at 16 degrees, two groomers hit all trails multiple times over the course of 10 combined hours to produce fantastic skating -and according to two enthusiastic classic skiers-”perrrfect” skiing!
GROOMING #27 2023/24
January 17, 2024- All trails were groomed this morning for skating with “perfect corduroy” and the classic tracks still are in great shape! When the two volunteer groomers started at 7:30 this morning it was a balmy 4 degrees fahrenheit and it rose to 25 degrees by the time they finished at noon. So we'll thank them for donating 9 hours toal of their collective lives on a nippy morning… by skiing on that perfect corduroy!
GROOMING #26 2023/24
January 16, 2024- All trails groomed for skating,and the good classic tracks from yesterday were left in place. Two volunteer groomers gave you toral of 7 more hours for your skiing delight.
Late week is sounding warm and maybe wet..come ski while the conditions are spectacular!
GROOMING #25 2023/24
January 15, 2024- All trails groomed for skate and new classic tracks set today- although the afternoon wind may have filled some. Temperatures were in the mid 20s as two volunteer groomers logged a total of 11 hours on the nordic trail mandala.
GROOMING #23 2023/24
January 13, 2024 -8.5 hours all groomed! And ready for Demo Days Sunday! - w some new snow!
GROOMING #22 2023/24
January 12, 2024- A beautiful day at Vallecito today! Although chilly- it was 1 degree F at 9am and 20 degrees at 4pm. Double classic tracks were put in up the road,and single set of classic tracks on East Creek, the beach, through the campground, princess and out past Brad’s Cabin. The classic only trail from was compacted w snowshoes, then with a snowmachine repeatedly, then groomed for classic-an act of love. Three volunteer groomers have you a total of 18 hours today-get those folks a beer!
GROOMING #21 2023/24
January 11, 2024- Nineteen degrees at 8:30 am started another 16 total hours of grooming by 2 volunteers today. After many passes the trails are beautiful skiing again! More of the practice area was groomed for the Demo Day this Sunday.
GROOMING #20 2023/24
January 10, 2024- All trails groomed for skating and double classic tracks set prior to the roundup. The new classic tracks did not fare well with the combination of exiting horse traffic (see yesterday’s report) , and the addition of bovine and equine “brown klister” was mostly removed by one of our volunteer groomers. Hopefully that concludes the story of the bovine -and associated equine, incursion.
On to the better news! After 10 total hours from two groomers, there are also now classic tracks out the North Beach and up the “boat ramp” connector trail into the bottom of Graham Crk Campground. The skiing surface is firming up and more snow is on the way for Vallecito Nordic Demo Day this Sunday Jan 14th!
GROOMING #19 2023/24
January 9, 2024- Holy Cow! (or rather 3 stray cattle?!) So we knew it would be another Big Day and it was. Starting at 3 degrees below zero at 6:30 am, three volunteer groomers spent… 9 hours each, yes that’s right… 27 groomer hours today! All trails were groomed (repaired-see below) for skating and there are beautiful classic tracks from Madden’s Corner, up East Creek and through Burnt Meadow. Bovines-willing, it should be great skiing tomorrow- especially on the beach.
About the cattle- three strays postholed their way up the road groomed for nordic skiing to near Graham Crk and then went up the hill. They still up there. It is in the kindest of words it is… suboptimal. :-) The snow rodeo continues!
GROOMING #18 2023/24
January 8, 2024- Well now that was some snowfall! Our groomers and PRID colleagues report...30” of snow by this morning!! After 3 groomers gave you 20.5 hours total today, the snow beasty is compacted by snow machines and our verrrry spiffy new snow rollers- a least for the time being. Tomorrow morning we will groom for skate and classic- and yes it will be a wee tad soft for those who must skate, and the classic should be spectacular after grooming! By late morning there should be great skiing!
January 7th, 2024- It looks like we are waiting for the snow globe to subside and the road conditions to improve- check-in tomorrow for the next grooming update. The really funny weird thing about nordic skiing (and grooming) is that we love snow! but the “big dumps” require a huge amount of effort to get trails back to ideal skiing. No complaints today though as the the landscape is blanketed by our very favorite mineral..snow!
GROOMING #17 2023/24
January 6th, 2024- An amazing day for skating and classic today with all trails groomed for skate and classic skiing except a few pesky connector trails out of Graham Creek Campground. Two groomers gave you a total of 6 hours today, and… by 2pm over 100 vehicles had come to the trailhead for skiing and snowshoeing! Conservatively, that probably means 200-300 folks out enjoying the spectacular day!
NOAA is predicting a total 12-20” of snow a Vallecito by Monday morning- so maybe don’t plan your huge skating day for tomorrow :).
GROOMING #16 2023/24
January 5, 2023-Most all trails were groomed this morning for skate and there are some “gorgeous” new classic tracks!! Reports are that is was blue bird, blue wax morning! Come and ski it before our next snow installment!
GROOMING #15 2023/24
January 4, 2023- Ten inches of new snow fell last night and this morning! Imagine this…a heroic total of 18 volunteer groomer hours on the snow were given, for you,-today alone. Starting at 8:30 this morning, two groomers set off in the snow globe with 4” new inches of snow. After the last 6” fell- bringing us to 10”, a third groomer went out mid -late morning. Many laps were made East Creek, Burnt Meadow, Pine Point Campground and new grooming on the “princess loop” below Graham Creek CG. Skating was good after all the grooming and skis reportedly sank in 1-2” as expected after this “Storm 1”. Things should freeze and firm up tonight and be ready for another grooming session (And Great Skiing!!) in the morning.
GROOMING #14 2023/24
January 3, 2024- Two of Durango’s finest and most experienced were out grooming the trails to a skating delight this morning -and they were done by 10am. The snow was fast and firm - according to the weather report we may not see that again for a bit! Speaking of “bit”, for those of you chomping at the bit for classic tracks just standby.. hopefully these next storms will give us the required snow depths for those groovy groves you love so.
SeasonGROOMING #Lucky 13 2023/24 Season
January 2, 2024, This morning two wonderful new groomers (for VNC) took to the trails early and produced spectacular trails for skate skiing! The road, East Creek, Burnt Meadow, and the beaches were groomed for skating.
Note that the connector trail from the N. end of the beach up from Pine Point Campground is very thin but skiable-especially uphill. Thin conditions still exist on East Creek and other areas -so be aware as you ski! Come on snow!
GROOMING #12 2023/24 Season
January 1, 2024
Two groomers “farmed” the snow on multiple passes into beautiful skating on the road, the beach, East Creek, and Burnt Meadow. As noted on previous updates, the snow is thin - so be alert for emerging rocks and narrowing trails in some areas.
We have begun grooming a lessons area on the south beach in preparation for Demo Days January 14th - Mark your calendars!
GROOMING #11 2023/24 Season
December 31, 2023,
Another 4 hours by a solo groomer produced astounding and truly phenomenal skating! Several passes over the road (including Burnt Meadow), the beach and East Creek this morning.Thin snow means you need to be alert for a few pieces of gravel up East Creek and on the hill out of Pine Point CG. Also be aware of icey spots on the north beach trail.
Grooming is planned for the coming weeks. Mid-morning through early afternoon remain the sweet spot for skating.
GROOMING #10 2023/24 Season
December 30, 2023-All trails groomed for skating - the snow is still to shallow for classic tracks. Great skiing and 70 cars
Grooming #9 2023/24 Ski Season
December 29, 2023 - Today’s groomer made several passes over the road (including Burnt Meadow), the beach and East Creek this morning. The skating was excellent and the touring looked great too. There is a little bit of gravel coming out at the very top of the East Creek hill and a few lumpy and icy places, but overall great skiing for the conditions. Grooming is planned for the next several days. Mid-morning through early afternoon seem to be the sweet spot for skating.
We still don’t have enough snow to set classic tracks, but there are some starting to appear along the beach.
Come out and enjoy the skiing!
Grooming #8 2023/24 Ski Season
December 28, 2023 - Today’s groomer made several passes over the road (including Burnt Meadow), the beach and East Creek this morning. The skating was excellent and the touring looked great too. There are some icy places so be careful on the first section of trail and about halfway out the beach. Grooming is planned for the next several days. Mid-morning through early afternoon seem to be the sweet spot for skating.
Grooming #7 2023/24 Ski Season
December 27, 2023 - One of our star grooming teams made several passes over road, beach and East Creek this morning. They also began smoothing out Burnt Meadow (the last loop on the road) but said it is still rough. All the effort yesterday to shovel snow paid off, with excellent skate skiing despite a few lumpy and icy spots. The first section of the road from the trailhead is hard and fast - please ski carefully.
There isn’t enough snow to set classic tracks yet. But we have seen folks having fun touring, so please come out and ski!
We have had some early morning visits from moose. If you’re lucky maybe you’ll see one.
Grooming #6 2023/24 Ski Season
December 26, 2023 - The R&C grooming team went over the main road and beach this morning. Another grooming elf worked on East Creek and shoveled snow onto some of the rough and icy patches. Excellent skate skiing! The sweet spot seems to be late morning. Enjoy
Grooming #5 2023/24 Ski Season
December 25, 2023 - A grooming elf made four passes over the main road and beach this morning. Very good Christmas skiing on our meager base. You still need to be careful of some thin and icy spots. Happy Christmas!
Grooming #4 2023/24 Ski Season
December 24, 2023 - The storm didn’t bring much snow to Vallecito so the snow cover is still thin. There was light grooming Saturday and Sunday mornings. The road and beach groomed out fairly well and was more even and fewer ruts than there has been. There are some rough spots: an icy section about halfway out the beach, Pine Point exit road and twin trees (Just down hill from the East Creek turnoff) on the road. The road down to the cabins (the first half mile of the road) is still slick and icy. There was no grooming on East Creek or Burnt Meadow.
Have a wonderful Christmas day!
Grooming & NEWS #3 2023/24 Ski Season
December 18, 2023 - We are still waiting for a big snow!
Groomers are very gently scratching up the beach and main road most mornings. Thanks to their efforts there is some very good skating (no classic tracks yet) available. But be careful of some very hard and icy sections, some lumpy places and a few places where the grass/rocks and dirt are beginning to show. That said, there is about 4.5 miles of skiing to be done, but done carefully.
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WE have a winner!
Marnie Clay of Durango won the skate ski package donated by Pine Needle Mountaineering.
If you see someone on shiny new Rossignol Skis it might be Marnie. Thanks yo everyone who got a Vallecito Nordic membership early. It really helps us plan for the ski season.
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Grooming Report #2 2023/24 Ski Season
December 14, 2023 - We are still waiting for a big snow!
Sadly, we only got about 4" of mush last night at Vallecito. Groomers rolled trails and scooped snow onto bare spots this morning. There will very light grooming on the road and beaches tomorrow (Friday). Skiing is not terrible on those trails, but it’s very thin cover. With temperatures predicted to be in the 40’s next week the snow that’s out there may not last. If you ski, please watch for thin spots. We have to be patient and hope for a big storm soon.
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Grooming Report #1 2023/24 Ski Season
December 5, 2023 - We aren’t open yet! Ugh!
The trailhead gate was closed on December 1st, but vehicles drove down the road in the snow from the first storm leaving ruts and the road was plowed to Madden’s Corner for construction at a home there. The second storm didn’t bring enough snow to cover the gravel or fill the vehicle ruts. We need more snow!
We are all ready - equipment is in great shape and at the trailhead and our crew of volunteer groomers are getting their warm clothes organized.
One nice 10” or 12” storm and we’ll be skiing!
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