SKI TRAIL REPORT #1, DEC. 13, 2024

by | Dec 13, 2024 | .

So far this season, there has been very little snow in the Sawtooth Valley. Sagebrush still towers above the 6 inches of snow covering open meadows.  However, years of pruning vegetation from the 10 foot wide meandering ski trails at Alturas and Park Creek has resulted in a a pretty good skiable surface. We have been laying down corduroy over the last couple of weeks which has been good for skating and flat tracking, however classic tracks are still in need of more snow to properly impress. Perhaps predicted snow over this weekend will make some classic grooves possible. At Park Creek, the forest service did a great job of clearing over 200 burnt fallen trees from the trails. We can’t thank them enough for their help in making the ski trails useable this season. So here we go again, get your kicks in, glide down memory lane and be thankful were all still here for another season of fun, giggles and rapturous awe.

Sawtooth trails still excellent

by | Mar 19, 2024 | .

Generally gorgeous sunny weather and nicely groomed trails continue to make the Alturas and Park Creek ski areas a first class destination for cross country enthusiasts. Although mechanical difficulties have been a pain to deal with as our 2 quad tracks and a snowmobile all broke down at the same time, grooming has continued non stop with our back up gear with no real drop in quality. The Quad track is now back in service at Alturas where the oldest snowmobile in our fleet proved to be a quirky but dependable replacement. Warm weather with highs in the 50’s means that the trails have been going through a 3 bears’ soup cycle of too cold, just right, too hot. Temperatures are predicted to be falling later in week with more snow on Friday. For almost real time ski grooming reports for the Sawtooth trails you can check out the BCRD’s on line nordic pulse maps.

Grooming resumes at Alturas

by | Mar 9, 2024 | .

As you may have heard, three of our four grooming machines broke down last week in some kind of cosmic coincidence. On Friday we headed to the boneyard and resurrected the oldest snowmobile in our fleet of groomers – the old yellew Skidoo, hoping that it could once again work its magic at Alturas Lake while we wait on repairs to our newer machines. Remarkably it started right up and was able to pull the roller around all trails on the highway side of the creek. Yellow and red flashing lights on the dashboard came and went and siren alarms bleeped loudly on occasion, but it did keep on truckin’, laying down some respectable but slightly rough corduroy. On Saturday, Davinius will attempt the trail from the bridge to the lake. No classic tracks right now but real progress nonetheless. At Park Creek, Adam, our first man of grooming, is still laying down some great trails with the last running snowmobile there.

EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN

by | Mar 6, 2024 | .

After a successful Ski Festival weekend we have experienced equipment problems at both ski areas resulting in a temporary grooming halt at the Alturas Lake Ski Area. Park Creek grooming will continue with a back-up snowmobile pulling the grooming equipment there. Both of our quad tracks and one backup snowmobile all experienced issues that will require new parts to arrive and some work to install. And all the new snow fall means that Alturas trails will be deep going for a bit. Thanks for your support at the Ski Fest events and for your patience while waiting on repairs.

Alturas Soup Kitchen Today! ALL SYSTEMS GO!!!

by | Mar 3, 2024 | .

The annual Alturas Lake Soup Kitchen will take place today at its traditional site on top of the Over The Hill Trail from 11 to 3. After a successful Park Creek Event yesterday, the weather looks to be more cooperative today and the soup lineup is going to be steamingly delicious as always. Be there or be square,