A Doldrums report.

Skated the North Loop and spent a happy 45 minutes crust-cruising the marsh/fen between the North Loop and the Meech Lake Road. There has been no tracksetting with the result that conditions are hard and fast but with a thin powder surface there's enough for control and grip. In the skating track the ruts from yesterday sometimes try to take control of the skis but with concentration things are reasonably good. The classic tracks are in good shape but are hard and fast. Being the Doldrums there's nothing heroic.

The best part is the marsh. There's about 5 cm of powder snow on top of a very firm base which makes for almost perfect crust-cruising. Look for the ski tracks down to the fen about 50 m before the bench and follow them down for the best skiing you're likely to have today. There's a lot more to the fen than appears to be the case from the parkway - depending on ice conditions on the creek you can go almost from P9 to P8. Get down there and cruise and explore.