Nice day for a ski…

by | Dec 5, 2020 | .

December 5th, 2020 is the 2081st anniversary of Cicero’s fourth Catiline oration, well as the 87th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st amendment abolishing prohibition. Freedom lovers will certainly enjoy celebrating this great day with a ski at the Alturas Lake Ski Area. Wapiti trail does have some aspen twigs poking though the snow and North Cabin trail is rather rough with some dangerous stumps to avoid. Otherwise, the trails are in really good condition for skate and classic. In addition, our most excellent groomer, Chadeus Maximus, will be there, grooming out any slight flaws that could annoy you on this otherwise perfect day. Feel the freedom! Enjoy the sunshine! Kick and glide!

TRAILS LOOK VERY GOOD AT ALTURAS

by | Dec 3, 2020 | .

On December 2nd, the 129th birthday of German expressionist artist Otto Dix, all trails at Alturas Lake except for Sheep Thrills were groomed. In addition to smooth skate lanes, classic tracks were added to South Loop, Over the Hill, and most of the Trail to the Lake. For the low amount of snow available to push about, trails looked remarkably good but trail edges are soft. At Park Creek some initial rough roll out of trails has begun.

Trail grooming begins for the new season…

by | Nov 30, 2020 | .

On the last weekend of November, all cross country ski trails at Alturas lake were compacted with double or quadruple snowmobile passes. That should be enough to allow for rough ski touring but not skating or “classic” techniques. Although snow coverage is generally pretty good, sage brush still pokes through the snow surface in some places and no directional signs are up yet. Tree trunks and rocks that are breaking the trail surface or just barely covered are clearly dangerous so extreme caution is advised. More grooming is planned over the next few days to smooth out the skate lanes and set classic tracks. At Park Creek we await the imminent return of Adam, the first man, from the wilds of Northern Idaho for grooming to commence.

P.S. Chadeus Maximus did in fact return to the Alturas Lake ski area on Monday, dug out the grooming equipment and flattened all trails for the first time this season. A light snow was falling steadily on Monday evening.


 

This may be the last time…

by | Apr 9, 2020 | .


On Thursday, the 9th of April, The birthday of visionary artist Charles Burchfield, Davinius was inspired to head out into the sunny winter morning to retrieve grooming equipment from the far side of Alturas Lake Creek and groom the trail on his way out. As he left his snow cave he hummed a little tune and wondered when he might groom again…
This may be the last time
May be the last time I don’t know
This may be the last time we ever sing together
This may be the last time, children
May be the last time we shine together
May be the last time I don’t know
I really don’t know what tomorrow will bring

When the party’s over…

by | Apr 7, 2020 | .


Wet soggy snow and high temperatures are leading to the demise of this ski season. Adam groomed at Park Creek after the last storm and Alturas was last groomed on Friday. We will be picking up signs and grooming out for a last time later this week. It is always sad to see the cross country season come to an end. But…
Once we’ve both said our goodbyes
Let’s just let it go…
Bye now.