The drive north was dodgey with icy roads and blowing snow, lots of roads still closed. So much recent snow in Kolapore you can put away your rock skis for now. What I wish I had brought was my wide, heavy wooden skis as I found the track lofty in many places so breaking through periodically seemed to be an issue. With more skiers the track will pack down and firm up more. We skied down Red Death...it had been a few years; nothing focuses the mind like a run down this hill in a full tuck. Lots of soft snow if you need to bail.
Kolapore is in full winter mode and an afternoon gliding through the forest, listening to the trees creaking, feeling the wind howl across the top of a ridge all adds up to

 "A lovely ski day!"

Since my last post we've probably had about another 10 cm of new snow.  The snow gauge is at 58 cm.  The trails are in prime mid-winter condition, although some trails may not have recent ski tracks.  With the cold weather and high winds, there have been fewer skiers out than usual the last few days.  If the winds continue,  be sure to check road conditions before heading to Kolapore.  Parts of Grey Road 2 south of the Kolapore area were in poor condition this afternoon, and some roads including 124 were closed.
Kolapore Trail Guide  

Since my posting yesterday, Kolapore has had about 10 cm of new snow - although it is hard to estimate snowfall, because of all the drifting.  This should help to freshen up the trails.  There is lots of snow, and all the perennial wet spots should be frozen. Grey County did a really serious plowing job on the Kolapore parking lot a few days ago, and pushed all the snow banks back, so there is lots of space.  There will be a fair amount of new snow in the lot until they have a chance to plow again.
Kolapore Trail Guide. 

In spite of several forecast snowfalls, we've only had a few light dustings since my Monday posting.  The snow gauge is at 50cm - slightly less than it was on Monday, because the top layer of powder snow has settled a bit.  Some of the popular trails are starting to get quite packed - the snow that is predicted for tonight and tomorrow should help to freshen up the trails. 
Kolapore Trail Guide 

 

Kolapore has received about 15 cm of snow over the past 24 hours.   The snow gauge beside the trail is at 52 cm - of this about 20 cm is powder snow on top of the crust.  This morning I broke trail from Entrance E through County Forest to 11, up Kingsway, down Jackrabbit and back via John's Portage.   The skiing was very enjoyable.  My one caution is that there are spots where you are hitting the ruts in the underlying crust - this could be a challenge on steeper hills.  
Kolapore Trail Guide

Unfortunately, trail conditions haven't changed much since my last post.  There is about 3 - 4 cm of fresh snow on top of the crust.  This isn't enough to provide good skiing in the crusty/icy/rutted conditions   We continue to recommend that you not use the Kolapore trails until there is a substantial amount of new snow.  At the moment the best Kolapore skiing is probably off track  - there's enough base that you can go almost anywhere, if you are feeling adventuresome.
Kolapore Trail Guide
 

We strongly recommend that you not ski on the Kolapore trails until there is a substantial amount of new snow.  The thaw and subsequent freeze will have left the trails very icy and rutted.  There is only a dusting of new snow so far (Sunday morning).
Kolapore Trail Guide 

Winter has definitely arrived at Kolapore.  We had a great ski today on the Kolapore Church - Paradise Highway loop, breaking trail part of the way and then having a broken track.  Skiing was excellent - as noted in the previous post there is over 2 feet of snow in the forest.  You can probably leave your rock skis at home now.  When you are planning your route, think about how much trail breaking you want to do - we did not see any tracks leading off the Kolapore Church - Paradise Highway loop, and no one had been in at the east end of the County Forest.  If you can get out, do so on Thursday or Friday, because the weather forecast for Saturday is depressing.
Grey County has done an excellent plowing job at the Kolapore parking lot.
Kolapore Trail Guide

Since Saturday night the Kolapore area has received about 30 cm of snow.  We received about 18 cm Sunday night - Monday morning.   The Kolapore snow gauge is at 63 cm (25").  FYI, this is the total depth of snow in the forest.  The snow depth on the trails is about half this, which still gives a good base.  
Skiing should be very good this week, as long as you are willing to break trail.  This morning we skied in through County Forest and up Kingsway to 15, and it was "walking on skis" outbound.  Coming back in the same track is was possible to ski a bit.  No hint of rocks - it is probably time to stop using rock skis.
As noted above, we encourage other Kolapore skiers to post updates regarding trail conditions. 
Kolapore Trail Guide

I skied County Forest and the lower parts of Kingsway and John's Portage this morning.  Skiing on the flat to gently rolling trails in the County Forest is fair to good.  There is a very firm track, and the 5 cm of snow we've had in the past 24 hours softens it slightly.  I would not recommend skiing the steeper hills on the trail system unless you are a very good skier - the hills are rutted, and it will be difficult to snowplow.  In some places the safest way to go down a hill is to ski off the trail - there is a very firm crust under the fresh snow.  
Kolapore Trail Guide