Crystal Forest

The recent weather (freezing rain) did not bode well for the xc ski conditions. Nor did the NCC website that claimed all trails were not recommended. Well I had been away for a few days and seemed to be coming down with a cold so I thought a ski would be the tonic. I headed to P10 which was full of cars. While there was a guy in the parking lot checking for ski passes I did not see much signs of Demsis work anywhere else. I guess they are all off for xmas holidays? Well the parkway was crusty and slick but it was actually good conditions for my waxless skis. There was signs everywhere of debris from the rain and trees coated with a thin sheen of ice. It had the look of crystal trees everywhere. Some just coated with ice and others either broken or bent over with the weight. It is strange that a sight that is so beautiful is so destructive to the forest. Every once in a while you would hear some tinkling and the odd crash of some ice falling from a tree. I would guess that the back country trails might not be so great but the parkway was good for a days skiing. With some extra snow and some grooming we should be back in business soon.