Murphy Hanrahan

After a week of illness (it seems like more—but I haven't skied since Monday) I hit Murphy for some afternoon, above-zero fun. The trails are in very good shape—nothing thin to speak of, and the only complaints would be that it is groomed in a bit of a U-shape in places, and the classic track is skated out on some of the narrow hills (as might be expected). The hills were mostly powdery and fun, although as usual you'll want to know how to make high speed turns before trying them out.

On my way out, the Man was out citing those without trail passes.

Flurries awards: trail of the year

With my gushing over Woodlands in the grooming award, you'd think they'd win the trail of the year award, too. Nope.

I can't say that this was the easiest award to give out. It was, indeed, the hardest. Since it combines classic tracks, skate lanes, terrain, snow quality, grooming quality, and other intangibles, it is a major all-around award, and not one to easily figure out. In a year with little snow, City of Lakes and Elm Creek would duke it out. In a year with a lot of tricky grooming, Battle Creek and Elk River would be contenders. But this year was rather benign in all categories, and the contenders for this award are pretty much every trail I skied in the Metro, and even some I didn't: Como, Battle Creek, Terrace Oaks, City of Lakes, Elk River, Elm Creek and Hyland.

Look at that list. What trail is missing?

Of course: Murphy Hanrahan. In a season with generally good conditions, Murphy has the trump card in this category: the best terrain. All conditions, travel times and grooming being equal, I'd rather ski 10k at Murphy than anywhere else in the area. The quiet, beautiful forest. The screaming downhills and heart-pounding uphills. The well-cared-for trails with good grooming. The terrain. Ah, yes, the terrain. One of my criteria for the "that was the winter that was" series was skiable months at Murphy. When good snow reigns supreme, Murphy is hard to beat.

Or, to put it another way, where else can you get to in half an hour that has more vertical climb per kilometer than the Birkie Trail? With skiing this year in December, January, February and March, Murphy wins.

Murphy Hanrahan

The best.

Okay, it was soft. And there are about three spots where it is starting to burn through (the picnic table and the uphill after the boardwalk, which has a big rock in the middle which is avoidable). But, wow. It's amazing.

The sky is a deep blue I thought only existed in the movies. The almost-March sunshine makes it seem warm even though the air temp is in the mid teens. The snow? Well, it's powdery but definitely firm enough to skate on, albeit somewhat slow (what usually takes 40-45 minutes to do the Razorback took 50-55). The downhills are in terrific shape—no ice even on the big hill and the S-curves, which is surprisingly easy to ski in powder conditions. It is just outstanding skiing right now at Murphy, and I'm excited because it is light until 6:30 now, so I can ski it in the evening, too. Of my seven years of skiing in the Twin Cities I am having trouble thinking of a better two hours of skiing.

Murphy Hanrahan

Somewhat disappointing.

The coverage at Murphy is fantastic but without a groom for several cold days (it looks like there is half an inch of snow on some of the trail and we haven't had snow in a while) it is very hard packed and rutted in places. The classic tracks are variable and have leaves in them in places. A good groom to renovate the snow would help a lot.

I can only get to two trails at most, on a good day! Check out all the trail reports at skinnyski.com

Murphy Hanrahan

Very good, but could use some more snow.

Murphy was not groomed following Saturday night's snow but was pretty well packed by late afternoon. The only worries were on a couple of the bigger downhills which were scraped down to an icier layer (not glare ice, but more a sleet-snow-ice mixture)—too much snowploughing. Whilst cold, Murphy might be a sheltered refuge for the upcoming cold week.

I can only get to two trails at most, on a good day! Check out all the trail reports at skinnyski.com

Murphy Hanrahan.

Fantastic.

It is such a pleasure to ski at Murphy. Coverage is full and the skate lane is well packed, and it got rather fast with the warming temperatures (yes, 20 is warm). When coverage is as good as it is and it's not icy, it is the best skiing in the cities.

This Jewthiest even got some Christmas dinner, too, after skiing three laps. Mmm.

I can only get to two trails at most, on a good day! Check out all the trail reports at skinnyski.com