Cross Country Ski Report as of Jan. 22

All cross country ski trails are open in all areas of Door County and they just keep improving. The recent snow has been dry and is sometimes hard to pack down when rolled by groomers so it can be a bit slower to ski. However, the natural beauty of the snowfall on the trees and the new snow coverage over leaf debris where trails were getting thin makes up for this.

Potawatomi State Park: The last snowfall was 1.5 inches on Jan. 19. The upper green, blue, red and black trails were groomed for skating on Jan. 20. The diagonal stride track was last set on all trails on Jan. 18. The skate lane is firm, fast and rated very good. The diagonal stride track has withstood several days of use and is rated good with a few skied out areas on curves, hills and a few areas of drifted-in tracks.

Those planning a shorter ski may want to consider avoiding the lower trail green start loop and starting at the group campground parking site on the upper trail because of better conditions there.

Crossroads at Big Creek: Trails have been groomed several times since the new snows and are in very good condition. There is a good, deep base throughout Crossroads. The skate lanes are smooth but may be just a little soft due to the nature of this dry snow. A new track has been set as well.

Whitefish Dunes State Park: Trail conditions are rated very good to excellent, and all trails were packed and tracked on Jan. 20. Tracks are full depth and there is very little debris along the trails. Base is a little soft in some areas due to the dryness of the snow, but is certainly firm enough for solid pole plants. Overall base depth is estimated to be at least eight to 10 inches. These are probably the best trail conditions the park has had in a long time, just in time for the Whitefish Dunes State Park Candlelight Ski on Jan. 25.

Peninsula State Park: Red, blue, and purple loops were all re-groomed as of Jan. 20 and 21, and are in very good condition. All other classic tracks (yellow, orange, green and white) were groomed on Jan. 19 and are in good condition. After grooming, there was another inch of snow and this was skied in but not re-groomed. Plan ahead to take part in the annual candlelight ski as part of the Fish Creek Winter Games on Feb. 1.

Newport State Park: Trails are in excellent condition. Newport and Europe Bay loops are all groomed for single track classic.

For more detailed information about the Door County Silent Sports Alliance and trail photos, visit doorcountysilentsports.org.