Decided to head to the backcountry trails today after last night's fresh snowfall. Proved to be a good choice as those trails are finally coming into their own. Probably only 4 or 5cms had fallen but every little bit helps. Missed my early alarm so I didn't get first tracks on anything and maybe that was a good thing. There are still a few rocks, and logs, and open creeks here and there but they are mostly managable and in places you would guess they would be. You might peer down a steep hill and say - "I bet there's a rock on that steep bit just over that last bump"... and sure enough you'd be right! For the most part the early risers have uncovered the offending granite and the ski tracks tend to work a little left or right of the obstacle so avoiding the rocks is pretty easy. Open creeks (or at least the steep ditches where they flow) have been well flagged with yellow caution tape by the ski patrollers so you have some warning to slow down. Other than that it was clear sailing and quite a lot of fun.

Skied quite a loop of trails today circling back and forth to grab a little more of this one or that one. Didn't see too many people on the trails but everyone I met had a smile on their face and a happy greeting.

Did step out onto the groomed runs a couple of times. Fortune parkway looked really nice and Ridge road was in good shape. As expected the steep drop at Wattsford Lookout was swept clean to an icy (somewhat gravelly) chute by the days snowplowers. I did find a little snow off to the side to ski down but it had a little gravel mixed in so not ideal. Not sure that pitch will ever get enough snow to stay in place this season what with the icy layer that lies beneath. All in all probably one of the nicer days to be out skiing. A little more fresh snow falling tonight so tomorrow should be nice as well.