P10 /Fortune/Ridge/1B/24/Ridge to Blanchet/side trip to Western and Champlain Lookout.

Starting out just before 3:00, the low sun was fabulous, and we managed to get a parking spot at P10!! If possible, I would have preferred to skate, the conditions and temperatures were so perfect for it!

The trails were buzzing with holiday skiers, and everything appeared to have been groomed recently. And my grip wax was charmed, both fast and grippy and lasted the entire trip.

The only negative during the whole magical sunset tour was that many of the classic tracks were skated out by the time we arrived. It was somewhat annoying as the once-soft turds of snow had hardened to rocks. In a few spots it was nicer skiing out of the tracks. On 1B this sacrilege was unavoidable because the one classic track was positioned in the middle of the lane. On Ridge Road it was just negligence on the part of a group of sociable skaters.

Here is Garry's report - he skated, of course! "Skate conditions were generally excellent on coarse, abrasive, deeply tilled snow. There was no problem edging, and glide was good. Heavy traffic had compacted the Fortune Parkway, but further west there was still evidence of recent grooming. I turned around at the Wolf Trail but grooming continued west, presumably at least to McKinstry, if not the Fire Tower. The Demsis "ridge" was quite evident down the center of trail 1, but didn't pose a major problem. Even at mid-afternoon there was little water in the snow, so even with a deep freeze tonight conditions should remain very good through tomorrow afternoon. ".

It was an extremely beautiful afternoon, and there were many photo ops. As usual you can find several more photos at www.musicianonskis.ca/blog