WBL (Or elsewhere): Any snow sticking to the ice?

[Geo]

Or is all just a dusty covering for the ice skates?

[BSMITH]

MTKA got a little micro burst of snow yesterday but it has not adhered to the ice. How smooth is White Bear?

[fabrino]

I am heading out to medicine right now with skis..ETA 10.40
will report when done
ciao

[mdh01]

Looks like you had some wind on Medicine!

[Geo]

REport from Kurt via Mike via me at White Bear:
50% coverage. Bumpy. Not worth going out unless you just want to get some vitamin D.

[fabrino]

Medicine super fun
Great wind and decent surface..totally worth it!

[slopecat]

Just got back from skiing at Afton and was thinking of going to WBL wth a kite. I think I will pass based on the report. Thanks for posting. Medicine does look decent! By the time I could get there I wouldn't have much light left so I think I will pass.

[wyatt]

In a quest to actually find some ride-able snow, here's my new favorite tool:

http://www.nohrsc.noaa.gov/earth/

NOAA has developed an application that will allow you to download a .kmz file which can be viewed in Google Earth. It has coverage over the entire continental US and is updated DAILY. Scouring the area, it shows that the best depths are areas just west of Eau Claire.

Out of pure boredom and desperation, my lady and I took a little road trip today to an area just east of LaCrosse and ended up at a little lake called Neshonoc. While the lake itself was less than ideal with the wind (super gusty), there was 4-5" of nice untracked pow all over the lake. We got about three hours of riding in. The drive was less than ideal (2+ hours with my lead foot), but it definitely beat sitting at home waiting for snow. Sometimes you just gotta make it happen.

[BSMITH]

I was out on Spring Park Bay with the Free Skaters today. 80% of the snow blew off by noon. I can't believe how well my skis worked without any snow. Did 50.6 mph. Cars are starting to drive out on the ice.