Since my post Wednesday morning, we've had more than 15 cm of new snow, most of which came overnight.  Once again, don't count on easy access to the Kolapore parking lot this morning.  Roadside parking at the east end of the County Forest is in good shape.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Tuesday and overnight Kolapore received somewhat over 10 cm of snow, and it is snowing hard as I post this at 8 AM.  Trail breaking will be the initial task.  Parking lots won't be plowed until later in the day.  Good roadside parking is available at Dawson Lane.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Saturday was a busy day on the Kolapore trails.  The Kolapore parking lot was full by 9:30 and other parking locations were busy too.  If you are planning to ski on Sunday you should have a backup strategy if your preferred parking location is full.  Ski conditions today were generally good, although some very popular sections were getting packed down by late in the day - no new snow today.  If you are thinking of exploring more remote parts of the system, Southern Crossing is generally good, Trail to the Summit has quite a few wet spots in the south end, and the cedar swamp on Quiet Pastures has "bushwack" skiing - wet spots and fallen trees.

Kolapore received more than 15 cm of new snow Thursday night/Friday morning.   Kolapore only received about 1 cm of snow Friday night, so the information below about parking is still relevant.  Great skiing on Friday, and it was very beautiful with the snow hanging on the trees.  Some trails still have wet spots - e.g., the south end of Trail to the Summit still had "dodge and weave" areas, and that's probably true on parts of Quiet Pastures.  The parking lot at Kolapore is plowed, although not completely because parked vehicles blocked the snowblower.  I hear that the parking lot at Metcalfe Rock has been plowed.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore has received 12 cm of snow in the period Monday night through Wednesday morning.  Conditions are substantially improved.  Much of the trail will rate at least "good", although some heavily used (or abused) areas will be "fair"  There are more bumps and moguls than usual, probably as a result of the heavy use during a period with little new snow.  The Kolapore parking lot was plowed today (Wednesday) and is in good condition.  Let's hope for more snow.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Although the character of the snow has changed slightly since my post on Friday, I would still rate the ski conditions as generally poor, with some less used trails being fair.  The tracks are bumpy and often washed out. Hills on heavily-used trails will be treacherous.  Over the weekend we had a few cm of snow, but we really need in the order of 10 cm to significantly improve conditions.  If you want to do some safe, enjoyable skiing over the next few days, both Scenic Caves and Highlands Nordic have excellent conditions at the moment.  Kolapore Trail Guide    

The warmer conditions today (Friday) softened the base, and it was safer to use the trails.  However, conditions were still poor to fair - tracks were washed out and hills have been scraped slick by skiers snowplowing.  The heavily used areas (much of the north end and parts of the south end) were poor.  Some more lightly used trails were fair.  The trails desperately need a significant amount of snow in order to provide decent skiing.  If we just get cold weather they will turn to ice.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore received a layer of freezing drizzle overnight.  All the trails will be icy.  Skiing at Kolapore is probably a bad idea at the moment.  Kolapore Trail Guide

Kolapore has not received any significant snow in the past 10 days, and the trails have received heavy use.  As a result the trails are quite "beaten down" in many sections.  Most hills have been heavily snowplowed and are very fast.  North end trails are probably only suitable for hard-core Kolapore skiers who like challenges.  South end trails are in better shape, but even there the small hills are fast, and the track is washed out in some areas (for example, coming in at the east end of the County Forest).   Off-track skiing is pleasant - there is a good base and the snow has consolidated enough that you won't sink too far.    Kolapore Trail Guide

This is a minor update of a conditions post from last Saturday.  There has only been a dusting of snow since then, and the trails have been heavily used.   Most trails are well tracked in with icy glazed sections. It's super fast for experienced skiers but can be treacherous and unforgiving. Take it easy and be safe. Pick your route accordingly. It is strongly recommended that less experienced or more cautious skiers do not start at the Kolapore parking lot.  The standard loop from the parking lot has some treacherous sections, and the track is washed out in many areas.  The County Forest trails are still suitable for most skiers.   Trails will only get faster until we get some new snow.  Side Note: Trail usage is way way up but donations at the parking lot are down. Keep in mind that everything at Kolapore is accomplished through donations and the work of volunteers. The plowing, toilets, trail clearing, bridge construction, signage, insurance and construction take place 100% through trail community memberships and contributions. Support your local trail fairies. Give what you can.