About 10 days ago it looked like the ski season was coming to a dismal end with only a few centimeters of crushed ice left on the parkways. With around 20cm of fresh powder falling over the past week in the park, today had perhaps the best snow conditions I've seen this year. I did the Lakes Tour on skate skis, starting at P16 and going up 54 to Lusk Lake and along 55 green to Lac Renaud and Taylor lake before returning to P16 on 50. On my return I did a quick detour to the Meech Lake shore on 36, using a combination of doubling poling the flats and skating on the steep uphills where there are no tracks to avoid damaging the classic tracks. Conditions were uniformly excellent with freshly groomed corduroy giving a fast yet forgiving surface. The classic tracks were slightly glazed, making for nice fast descents. Leaf debris was minimal. On the flats in places I found it easier to double pole in the tracks than to skate. Coverage is complete on the usual spring trouble spots like the open curve near Lac Renaud. The steep hill leading back to P16 had been well tilled, making for an easily controlled descent. At the very end of my ski I could start to feel a bit of suction slowing the skis down, particularly in places with southern exposure. Ski traffic was also starting to polish the skate lane to the point that my edges didn't hold very well. In mid-March even on a cloudy day the sun has enough power to soften the snow. It's sad that despite the superb conditions I didn't see many other skiers out. I'm expecting there will be grooming again tonight, so tomorrow morning should provide exceptional skiing. Get out and enjoy these last few days of the season!