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Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
Trail Conditions Report
Sat, Jan 20, 2024: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomed the perimeter trail for both skating and classic today. Skiers should find good conditions. Enjoy before the rain and warmer temperatures arrive next week.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Thu, Jan 18, 2024: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skate lane remains a little on the soft side. Did not reset track today due to forecast of 3-4" tonight. Outside classic loop in very nice condition, thanks in large part to all those who are skiing it. New inside loop set by Groomer Tom N, approximately 3 miles. Nice fun loop but it needs to be skied in to preserve it so get out there and enjoy it.
Dave D
- david deback
Mon, Jan 15, 2024: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skate lane still soft but skiable, minimal blown snow currently. Classic track set on both interior and perimeter loops. Classic lane may be faster than skate lanes. At minus 2 please be careful but otherwise enjoy.
- Dave D
Sun, Jan 14, 2024: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
MIlham is groomed. Skiers will find soft and slow snow. Should get better once it sets up and warms up a bit. Nonetheless there were many skiers out enjoying the snow.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 29, 2023: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers should find good but thin conditions at Milham after this mornings grooming. We only received an inch of snow overnite but it was pretty wet so added to the total on the ground. No more snow in the the near forecast but lots of freezing temperatures so looks like we have the possibility of skiing for a bit. Get out and enjoy.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Jan 28, 2023: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
We were finally able to groom Milham again after a long break. Skiers will find a thin but a fully covered trail. Lots of people have been out classic skiing making their own trail and when I arrived to groom this morning the upper parking lot was already full. If it snows any tonight we will regroom tomorrow morning. I believe skaters will find ok conditions today and better conditions tomorrow. Now that the snow has been pushed down it should allow the ground to get colder. To thin to set a classic track at this time, but lots of good classic skiing to be found any way.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Dec 25, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Future chief groomer Violet and I rolled the perimeter and warm up loop at Milham this morning. I would say 70% of the trail is in fair shape with the remaining 30% with very thin coverage. Most of the 30% has grass showing through the snow or pretty much uncovered ground. Removed lots of sticks. Hoping for snow today or over night then should be in better shape until the warm up later in the week when all of this will go away again.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Nov 20, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Went over the entire trail again this morning after last night and yesterdays new snow fall. Trail is in much better condition than yesterday but the ground is still above freezing and skiers will find numerous spots where the snow is slushy. Classic skiers should find better conditions. I would not recommend trying to skate on the trail at this time. Hopefully as the temperatures stay below freezing for the next few days conditions will improve.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Nov 19, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Rolled the trail at Milham this early afternoon. Very thin and windy. Skiers will find poor conditions today but hoping after we get some more snow and it stays cold for a while longer better conditions will be found tomorrow. Road crossings are warmest of all and slushy. Will report again tomorrow if there is any news to report.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Fri, Feb 18, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomed this morning after a windy four inches of new snow overnight. The trail varies from bare grass, slush, to lots and lots of ice with one inch of compacted snow on top. Classic skiers should find ok conditions, skate skiers should find very poor conditions. My hope is that the snow will attach with time. Maybe it will be ok late today or tomorrow?
- Richard Neumann - Kalamazoonordicskiers.com
Wed, Feb 16, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
2/15/2022 update - in a recent review, I was very impressed with the classic track on the perimeter trail shared with skaters and today I was even more impressed with the interior classic only trail that meanders throughout the golf course. The tracks were deep, firm, consistent, debris free and wide enough for a good pole plant. Diagonal striding was effortless using blue kick wax on a 25 degree cloudless day. Many thanks to Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers for creating this new opportunity for classic skiers !
- Otto P Beagle
Tue, Feb 15, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers should find excellent conditions today at Milham. The skate lane was razored leaving a firm but edgable surface. The perimeter classic trail is worn but fine. Tom set a new interior classic loop near the previous one on Sunday. This trail is in very good condition. Looks like it should be fun until tonights warm up. More snow after the warm up so we will see if we get another round of skiing in or not. Will update when there is something to report.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Feb 12, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
I groomed Milham today with the Razor to loosen up the icy top layer of the skate lane with good results. Skating is super fast, with decent control. The classic tracks have survived the thaw fairly well. There are several spots of hard ice, with no snow cover that require caution. So for the next couple days, get out there and ski. We could be near the end!
Paul Wells
Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
- Paul Wells
Tue, Feb 8, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skate lane reset today using the razor for that oh so nice shave. All ruts from previous warming and freezing trends removed resulting in a picture perfect skate lane. That said it is warming up and the perfect conditions will not last long. Looking forward to the warmup tomorrow please keep in mind if it is too soft please take the day off. It is difficult to smooth out the skate grooves if they are deep when the temps drop.
Outside classic loop is showing signs of wear but still quite nice, interior loop has held up better and is a fantastic meandering lane that is slightly longer than the outside loop.
Dave D. KNS
- Dave DeBack
Mon, Feb 7, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomed the skate trail at Milham this morning. The classic trail is in great shape so I did not touch it. The skate lane is now both flatter and wider than it was this weekend. Skiers should find good conditions overall.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Feb 5, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
A rare day as MPGC classic tracks were considerably better than the skating deck with deep, firm grooves that allowed good technique on the entire perimeter trail with perfect kick and glide from my green/blue wax combo. Kalamazoo Nordic Skier routing also avoided troublesome leaf and debris areas and resulted in best classic conditions of this season! Lets support these dedicated volunteers by feeding the donation tube near the trailhead/parking area.
- Otto P Beagle
Thu, Feb 3, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomed the skate lane at Milham this morning. Dave is setting a classic track as I type this. Skiers will find poor conditions at this time. The rain that fell Tuesday night is still unfrozen in many places. There are numerous puddles under the snow cover. It is supposed to be in the single digits tonight. I would expect the trail to be vastly improved by Saturday.
- Richard Neumann - Kalamazoonordicskiers.com
Tue, Feb 1, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
At the moment our trails are in decent condition but will not well tolerate usage in 30 degree plus temps. As we all look skyward in hopes of a nice February dump it would be best if skiers stayed off of the groomed trail at Milham. Our concern is deep cuts in the soft/slushy snow will refreeze into a nasty grooves and then we don't receive enough new snow to reset a truly fresh track. Please avoid skiing for the next 24 hours and keep your fingers crossed in hopes of a really nice accumulation of fresh snow.
Dave D
- Dave DeBack
Wed, Jan 26, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Exterior loop groomed and classic track set. Classic track has some thin spots but has hardened up nice. Still slow mostly due to cold temps. Enjoy.
DaveD
- Dave DeBack
Tue, Jan 25, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
The two regular loops were regroomed this morning. Still thin but better than its been. Skiers should find good conditions.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 23, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
After receiving three inches of new snow the warm up loop and perimeter trails were groomed at Milham this morning. Skiers will find a thin trail with an icy base. To thin to set a classic track at this time. Overall skiers should find fair conditions.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 9, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
It looks like we're off and running with the 2022 XC season at the Milham Park Golf course. Groomer Dave DeBack groomed the skate trail yesterday morning and both skaters and inline skiers were able to enjoy decent, though windy, conditions on the trails.
All the snow that fell over the last few days was so light and fluffy that, packed down, it didn't amount to much. The trail is thin, and there just isn't enough snow yet to set a classic track.
That shouldn't stop inline skiers though; you can break trail on your own or follow existing tracks throughout the course. If you do, please remember to stay off the greens. Also, the golf course does not allow dogs on the premises, and we request that snowshoers and walkers stay off the groomed ski trails. They take a lot of time and effort to create, and uses other than skiing deteriorate them for that purpose.
Conditions on Sunday, today, are likely to be poor due to overnight rain. We would encourage skiers to stay off the trail while the snow is mushy and wet, as ruts created can later freeze into dangerous, hard-to-negotiate ridges.
Enjoy the venue, and don't forget to donate to the cause, either through the website or the donation tube affixed to the golf range pole barn.
See you out skiing...
Zolton Cohen, Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
- Zoltan Cohen
Sat, Jan 8, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Outside loop of Milham just groomed and looking good. Snow coverage is good to excellent but the track is a bit soft and will take a little time to set up. Depending on how this snow holds up and if we get a little more a classic track can be set but for now the skier set track is in good condition. Get out and enjoy!
- Dave D
Fri, Jan 7, 2022: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
For the second day in a row we have rolled the perimeter trail and the warm up loop at Milham. Skiers will find thin conditions. Classic skiing looks like the better choice right now. Should only get better, will update when we groom again.
- Richard Neumann - Kalamazoonordicskiers.com
Sun, Feb 21, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
XC skiing at MPGC has been premier the last two weeks thanks to the efforts of the Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers (KNS). Recent routing and grooming for both classic and skating has been "best ever" thanks to grooming expertise and a big boost from Mother Nature. Skiers are reminded to "feed the tube" located by the golf range shed so that this great service can continue.
Thanks KNS!
- Otto P. Beagle
Fri, Feb 19, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
We groomed today after about eight inches of perfect new snow, and have all our trails open for skating and classic. Once they set up, skiing will be excellent.
Paul Wells
Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
- Paul Wells
Tue, Feb 16, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
We groomed today after about eight inches of perfect new snow, and have all our trails open for skating and classic. Once they set up, skiing will be excellent.
Paul Wells
Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
- Paul Wells
Sun, Feb 14, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
The perimeter trail was groomed this morning for both styles. Skiers should find excellent conditions. The interior classic trail had a number of people skiing on it and appears to be holding up well. Ten cars in the lot when I finished this morning. Expect to see many more this afternoon. Lots of happy faces.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Thu, Feb 11, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Ran the groomer around Milham this morning. Reset the classic track and freshened up the skate lane after yesterdays one inch of snow. Skaters should find excellent conditions. Classic skiers should find good conditions. The track is not deep in places but it is well defined. The interior classic track is holding up well. Kirby moved the trail yesterday where the truck had driven down the middle of the skate lane (we had placed the trail over a road in the search for good snow) and that problem has been solved.
- Richard Neumann - Kalamazoonordic.com
Mon, Feb 8, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Night skiers watch out for TIRE RUTS. Wonderful conditions at Milham now EXCEPT FOR 1 or 2 sections where a truck drove over the skate track. You can step over them, but it will be hard to see after dark :(
- Monica
Sun, Feb 7, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers should find current conditions at Milham excellent. The perimeter loop was groomed for skating and a fresh classic track was set. We have moved the trail in a number of places from where it has been traditionally. We hope to avoid the spots that get thin the soonest and avoid the areas that usually have lots of sticks and walnuts. Today I was aided by grooming intern Violet. With the temperatures forecast for the next ten days and the snow we have now in addition to the expected additional snow; we should have some excellent skiing at Milham
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Feb 6, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Outside loop of course groomed for skate and classic. Still a little soft but should firm up nicely. Track has been changed slightly to hopefully avoid some of the spots that thin quickly when the temps go up. Interior classic track to be set this afternoon.
Dave
- Dave
Fri, Feb 5, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomer Dave and myself packed the new snow down at Milham this morning. It is very windy and the trail, in places, would disappear from one pass to another. Conditions aren't going to be great today but we are hoping todays efforts will make for great conditions this weekend after we regroom tomorrow.
- Richard Neumann - Kalamazoonordicskiers.com
Mon, Feb 1, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Regroomed the skate trail and set a classic track this morning. Thin in spots but not to bad. Paul rerouted a section of trail yesterday adding a little more length and avoiding one of the "stick spots".
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 31, 2021: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
We finally had enough snow to groom for skating today. I might try to set a classic track tomorrow. There's just enough snow for nice skiing. When I got there the parking lot was full, lots of folks having a great time making their own classic tracks.
We had a very thin base, and got another 3-4" of nearly perfect snow yesterday, so for about two more days we are golden. We might be able to keep some of it for the return of cold later in the week.
Paul Wells
Kalamazoo Nordic Skiers
- Paul Wells
Thu, Feb 27, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Finally got cold overnight so we tried to groom this morning but the snowmobile was not having it. After letting the sled think about what it had done and a stern chat about its future if it did not change its attitude we attempted to groom this evening. The course is very wind swept and there are a number of patches with no snow on downhills that could not be rerouted around. Subsequently skiers will find fair to good conditions on the warm up loop only. It looks like we only have two more days of skiing this year so hopefully this lets everyone get a last ski in or two before their next season begins.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Feb 15, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
So I skied at Milham yesterday morning and it skied great: plenty of snow, quiet, and an sublimely placed trail. But... there was approximately an inch and a half of new snow on top of the trail since it had last been groomed. Now I don't know where the snow came from because I live one mile away and there was no new inch and a half of snow on my driveway. Over all this said snow gave the observer the impression that Milham was neglected. While I was excited by more snow this was a situation which was unacceptable. I am happy to report that Milham has been freshly groomed and looks like it. Skiers should find good conditions and looks like good skiing until Sunday afternoon before it warms up again.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Thu, Feb 13, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers will find good conditions at Milham. Groomed the perimeter trail this morning. Still thin but everything is covered. There are two reroutes around the areas of low snow. To thin to set a classic track but a wide skate lane has been set.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Feb 8, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
What an unusual winter so far. Things are thin but groomed at Milham. Rerouted the trail from the perimeter near the fence on the north side onto the golf course proper. One of the thinner spots and trail is on top of a road right there. We are supposed to get more snow Sunday afternoon so there is hope for improvement. Will report again if more grooming happens.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Mon, Jan 20, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Redid what was groomed yesterday. Added the one to two inches of new fluffy snow to the base improving conditions somewhat. Not great but not bad either. Still to thin and icy under the new snow to set a classic track. Despite this I saw eight or so people striding and enjoying themselves this morning. Its been a long time coming, enjoy the local snow while you can.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 19, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers should find fair conditions at Milham. Without a base and with only one to two inches of snow on the trail we were unable to set a classic track today. A wide skate lane was groomed with plenty of room for every one. It is still snowing out and the trail conditions continue to improve. It looks as if the weather will allow us to ski locally for at least the first half of the week. Get out and enjoy.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sat, Jan 18, 2020: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
We finally have enough snow to groom. The current plan is to groom Sunday morning. It is to warm to to operate the snowmobile today. It is supposed to get much colder tonight and should set up nicely. More snow is forecast for tonight also. I will update tomorrow.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Wed, Mar 6, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Milham is groomed again!. Been about three weeks since the last time. Skiers should find poor to fair conditions. Very thin with no base. Removed lots and lots of sticks caused by the wind storm a few weeks back. No classic track has been set because of inadequate snow. A wide skate lane has been set. We should have snow for a few days at least so get out and enjoy.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Mon, Feb 18, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Perimeter groomed for skating, thin but very nice, just a couple of spots showing a little dirt or ice. Classic track thin at best. Won't last long without more snow. Dave D
- Dave De Back
Fri, Feb 15, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Ran the groomer around Milham this morning. Used the sno-razor to try to break up surface, condition of the trail was not improved. I would call the trail poor right now. At least 50% of the course is boiler plate ice. The rest is boiler plate with a bit of snow on top. Took groomer onto parts of course that had not been groomed previously and trail was hardly scratched. I believe skiers will find best conditions on the ungroomed fairways. Lets hope for a couple of inches of snow to make Milham great again.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Wed, Feb 13, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Groomers Dave And Paul have groomed Milham today. They set a classic loop around the exterior of the course. They also groomed a skating lane in the normal place. There was no remaining base after last weeks warm up but we got a big snow last night after a couple of days of light snow and skiers should find good conditions.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Fri, Feb 1, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers will find excellent conditions at Milham. A fresh classic track was set and the skate lane got a much needed smoothing out. Used the new snowmobile to groom at night for the first time and am happy to report that it worked fantastic. In the early to mid afternoon tomorrow it is forecast to go above freezing until Tuesday. Let us please stay off of the groomed trail until it freezes again. We are forecast to get more snow next week; so more skiing is ahead if we do not put big ruts into the trail. Thank you
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Tue, Jan 29, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
For the second day in a row Milham has been groomed for both skating and classic skiing. Groomer Dave put a morning of effort in yesterday with my turn being today. When I left skiers would have found great conditions. It is very windy out but was not really drifting all that badly. Right now the forecast is for the temperature to rise above freezing Saturday mid to late afternoon and remaining above freezing for a couple of days and nights. Please keep off groomed trail when above freezing and we should be able to continue to ski at Milham once it freezes once again. Thank You.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Mon, Jan 28, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Lots of fresh light snow this morning so got out rolled the perimeter then groomed it for skate and classic. Still a little soft due to the depth of the snow but really quite nice. Set an additional 2+ miles of classic track in the interior of the park. For now really good.
- Dave
Fri, Jan 25, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Skiers should find good conditions at Milham after a fresh grooming this morning. I made eight passes with the skate groomer. The base was very icy from our recent rain so took a bit to spread the snow out and not have bare icy patches. I did not ski it because I had to get to my paying job but it looked really nice when I finished. I also set a new classic track. In most places I would expect it to be very good with maybe five percent to the track still icy. New sled worked fantastic. We are now able to pull a heavier groomer and are seeing a better product be produced. Once we get used to the new sled I would also expect the time to groom the entire trail to be slightly reduced also. I was also able to groom the warm up loop for both styles.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
Sun, Jan 20, 2019: Milham Park Golf Course (Kalamazoo)
Milham is groomed. Today we used our new sled for the first time: wide track, electric start, and reverse. Sled worked great. We have about five inches of snow here. Groomed down pretty good. A little thin in spots but overall pretty good. I was able to groom a wide skate lane and set a classic track. The warm up loop was also groomed. Its plenty cold enough so all we need now is more snow. Woo Hoo.
- Richard Neumann - kalamazoonordic.com
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