We seem to be in the good graces of the snow gods this year, with good skiing opportunities as early as most of us can remember. For a couple of weeks our dedicated JNSC volunteers were able to pack a beautifully groomed skating trail, even though the snow wasn’t quite deep enough to set classic tracks, snow was continuing to accumulate higher up on the rougher terrain at Eaglecrest. By the time late November rains washed off the last of the campground snow cover, the snow was deep enough to set a classic track by snowmachine on the Eaglecrest trails. And now, while we wait for the snow to move down to sealevel again, the Eaglecrest area has started operation and has taken over most of the grooming from our volunteers.

So don’t hang around and twiddle your thumbs or mope just because the snow at the campground has melted off. Conditions are downright excellent at the ‘Crest, with lots of snow and well-set dual classic tracks, with a skating lane in between. If you’ve become accustomed to skiing only in the Valley the last few yearsnow is the time to give Eaglecrest a try. Check the groomed trail conditions forum on the link to the right to see what the latest reports are. And drive on up to get a good head start on the season.  After all, despite the last three winters of wonderful conditions in the lowlands, you can never be sure when the snow will be back. And the Eaglecrest meadow loop complex is a gorgeous location with terrific variety and superb grooming.

Just remember a couple of things: please pick up a day pass or a season’s pass at the ticket window before you head out on the trails to support Eaglecrest’s professional grooming equipment and personnel,  and please don’t take your dogs on those trails, even after hours. There are plenty of other places to run dogs, and their paw prints in the tracks create cavities in the snow that really affects getting kick with classic skis. But do get out on the snow and remind yourself how magical winter is up above the snowline, even when it’s dark and gray down in town.