THAT is why we pay taxes and buy season passes. As I was driving to P3, trudging through the overnight dump I was thinking this run was going to be a slog through newly fallen snow. Miraculously I arrived at a freshly plowed parking lot and headed into the park on recently groomed track.

ROUTE: From P3 up the Champlain Parkway to the top of the hill just before the downhill into P5. Back along the CP to 27, 26 and 5 and into P3.

SKATE: There was a lot of new snow but the quick groom (packing and one classic track uphill) made for easy movement. It was a bit of a dance uphill because the ungroomed snow was catching one ski while the other skirted the classic track. It was still much better than barreling through new snow, but it was a bit of work. Control was easy but fast downhills were a bit treacherous because the snow was piling up a bit. The off-parkway trails, 5 especially, were great - there was recent grooming and the newly fallen snow was easy to glide through.

TRAFFIC: There were a few people, mostly skaters, coming back as I was heading out. The crowds were arriving as I was coming back. Lots of classic skiers on 5 and a consistent stream of skaters on the parkway and some on 5 etc.