This morning I skated up Penguin Hill from P5, then along Ridge Road to the Champlain Lookout with a return trip via the CP and GP. Recent thaws have given a very hard base, hard enough that my not-so-sharp pole tips skittered out in places. However there was just enough tilling and fresh snow over the base that my edges held with no problem. Skating was definitely better on the parkways than on Ridge Road, where the surface was a bit crunchy and not particularly flat. There were a few icy spots on the saddle at the top of Penguin. Classic tracks were very hard. The parkways had a much flatter surface than Ridge, although there were often groomer tread marks. Overall it was an enjoyable ski, and conditions should improve with another groomer pass and a little fresh snow tomorrow.