Silver Crest Trails Association

There was 5 inches of new snow fall that came over the weekend. We groomed all of the trails today and got it under control. It was cold (5-6 F) but the sun was out and made for a beautiful day. The classic tracks and skate ski lanes are in great condition after today’s grooming.

But….conditions were slow for skiing. Why is that ? If your skis “squeak” in cold temperatures and are slow, causing you to have to work harder to kick and glide, its because low temperatures prevent pressure induced melting of the snow, and causing snow crystals to harden, break and grate against each other. Unlike warm snow, which has a lubricating water layer, the cold, brittle crystals snap and screech under ski pressure. Usually this happens around 14 F. and below. Which it was today ( Sunday ) at Silver Crest. You can buy low temperature specialty wax’s for your skis which will help. I found.. Rode RL Cold Liquid Glide, 80ml’s for $29.00 at http://www.gearwest.com

Luckily its going to warm up this week with temps in the high 20’s for Monday and climbing to the mid to high 30’s midweek. Not much new snowfall predicted for the week either.

On a great note..we found over $800.00 in the donation box at the trailhead last week. Thanks to all of our donors for your generosity. Those funds go directly to grooming your trails.

Thanks everyone !

Bob