BIKEPGH MESSAGE BOARD ARCHIVE

My wife and I did a little xc skiing at Boyce Park last week and might go back today. The double track trails were pretty nice (though we're new to it, so I don't have a lot compare it with).

In addition to the PACCSA ski report you can also get updates on their facebook page. Laurel Ridge has a facebook page of their own where they post frequent status updates and grooming reports. The conditions there were just about perfect yesterday. It looked like a winter wonderland. As far as county parks go, I don't know of any reports available either. A friend of mine went to North Park yesterday and said that the conditions were quite good.

I'm more of a beginner/intermediate on xc skis and went to Frick Thursday night last week. It was OK. Many of the trails were heavily tracked. Some of the tracked areas were starting to ice over but there was still some soft snow on the edges. I haven't been back since the additional snow over the weekend but would imagine the downhills could still be dangerous if they're as heavily tracked/icy as they were last week. We had a few spills and a few new (small) scratches on the bottoms of my skis. Probably not a good idea to take new or expensive equipment...unless you're experienced enough to avoid the obstacles that I could not.

We should keep this thread alive as the

winter progresses. HOpefully it stops snowing.

I generally park and ski the loop in schenley

that is from phipps to where it comes out

at BOA/Serpentine/park intersection. Its

about 25 mins each way and there is usually

tracks. Bonus loop into the golf course

as needed. Did it Monday and it was great.

Thanks, I figured yesterday would've been the better day to get out but unfortunately I missed my chance.

Frick can be very dangerous if you go out on skis with the same mindset you have on a mountain bike. It sounds easy but I'm so used to riding the trails there, I have to readjust my mental trail map for skis. I stick to the lower trails around Nine Mile Run even though it involves some double-backing. Even if it's so-so, I'd say we're pretty lucky to have any option at all for xc skiing in the city limits.

Steevo, how much elevation change is on that loop in Schenley? I was thinking of trying it because I used to run those trails, but it's been awhile and I couldn't remember what the trail is like. I remember some of it being narrow bench cut along a steep hillside and I didn't want to get stuck with any hairy downhills

@DCM - I haven't skied it in a number of years, but I do remember one very short downhill quite vividly. Since I don't remember any others, I assume it was the only one.

I had parked at the Beacon/Hobart intersection, and had taken the path west from there. As I rounded the swimming pool, the path started to drop as it approached Blvd of the Allies, and the underpass beneath it.

I gained some speed, lost control and wiped out in a very unfortunate way.

But, it was a very short section, and could easily be walked. I think that because the trail becomes paved in this area, ice had built up under the snow, resulting in my spped gain.

Otherwise, it was, and presumably remains, a very nice trail for XC skiing.

The only really narrow bit of trail is the bit of the old cross-country course behind Flagstaff (that has one nasty climb and descent). Otherwise, the upper, middle, and lower trails are essentially fire roads. You can do roughly 4-5k if you head down to the lake via the lower trail, then back up to the middle trail, and up to the Oval via the top/upper trail. This map has the 5k course outlined. I believe the 8k course just drops down the trail label "To Panther Hollow" and comes back up.

If you ski the X-C course as it is laid out in that map, you'll approach the little set of rollers Sarah mentions from the "safer" direction (meaning less of a descent, but a harder climb).

Frick is... eh. It was already quite icy on Sunday after the last significant snow, even including the Duck Hollow trail. Some maintenance truck or something has been driving on it. But I made some nice tracks over on the left (as you're going toward the Glenwood Bridge) that may still be nice.

Do they still rent xc skis in Schenley, or is my info dated?

If my work schedule doesn't change I may go to laurel ridge tomorrow afternoon. If anyone wants to carpool email me. Kelley21682 at gmail

DCM - the biggest hill is described above,

but you have to go under the BOA anyway, so

there is no real loss taking off your skis

and walking for a minute down it. I SUCK at

skiing and can barely snowplow and had no

issue with it with a few inches of powder.

The longer hill is leading back to phipps....

again I was fine with some powder.

Rentals - none of the Pgh parks rent xc skis now, have not done for many years but the wishful thinking persists. There's a list of rental places on www.paccsa.org, if you know of anywhere to add to it please let me know.

Snow reports - You are very welcome to post snow reports on www.facebook.com/PACCSA www.paccsa.org website has official reports by venues/ski patrol but nothing on the local parks, golf course etc. It would be great to use the facebook page for those.

Schenley golf course was very nice at 8am this morning Deep powder, not too many tracks. Will be out again later today.

Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions. I went to Schenley last night and it was a mixed bag of conditions. The trails were packed in the middle of course with few icy spots, and varied between tracks, powder, and thin spots on the edges. All in all it was not bad if you don't mind a little extra effort to navigate around the rough spots.

I parked alongside Anderson Playground and took Upper trail east to Bartlett then got on Lower trail back to Phipps. Total of three "walk-a-skis" under Panther Hollow bridge, plus the walk back across the bridge from Phipps to the playground, and BOA through the tunnel to the pool. Skied Bridle trail from pool to its end, crossed Overlook Drive and up to do a loop around the Oval. Still a mixed bag but easier to find consistent tracks or powder away from the walker/runner paths. Back down to Bartlett and walked across BOA to ski the Upper trail back to the car. All in all I estimated 4-5 miles and no hills that were particularly sketchy. I might do it again tonight if I have time.

Hope this gives others an idea of conditions if you are looking to go out in Schenley - it sounds like our best option in the city. I like Steevo's idea of keeping updates on conditions all winter long. Skiing is a great alternative to riding in the winter or at night, and you stay warmer, too! Check the REI garage sales if you need a cheap pair of skis.

Naomi - just saw your post. Thanks for the tip on using the PACCSA facebook page to post snow reports, I will keep that in mind. Maybe I will try the Schenley golf course next... just curious, where did you start/end?

Started where I parked on E Circuit Dr and skied straight-ish to the end of Frew St, 2 road crossings, going to work actually so I didn't really play around much. There is usually space up by Bartlett. ECR fills up early in the day.

On rentals: The last couple of years, my boyfriend was able to rent cross-country skis at Peak Ski in Boyce Park, while I have my own. I just called to ask if they were doing rentals again this year and talked to the owner. Last year, they were incredibly busy for the 2 days we had enough snow, but it wasn't enough so they decided to give away what they could and throw away the rest. Of course, now its perfect and they are wishing they wouldn't kept it and given it away now. They recommended a place in Greensburg that might have xc ski rentals but all I could find in the area was Thrifty Ski Rental on Route 31 in Donegal. I confirmed they have lots of sizes available, even for kids but I'd recommend to call before you make your trip since they're the only ones left renting: (724) 593-6404.

FWIW: REI is seriously considering carrying xc ski rentals if their stock/storage will permit it next year.

Ski Loans?

Does anyone have an extra pair of Back Country skis in size 175-185 length, size 46 boots to lend? He's 6'1", 175#.

I could loan out an extra pair of old skool skis that I started out on: 3-pin binding, groomed tracks only 174 length with size 38 boots (for someone 140-160#, 5'2"-5'5").

Thanks for the rental update, Velomuse. Sorry I missed out on the freebie skis!

Here's what I have left on my list -

Cycle Sport & Ski, Greensburg, PA

Laurel Ridge State Park XC Ski Area Concession, Normalville, PA

Ligonier Mountain Outfitters, Laughlintown, PA

Route 31 Board and Ski, Somerset, PA

Thrifty Ski Rental, Donegal, PA

White Grass Canaan Valley, WV

NOTHING in Pittsburgh. Boo!

List with links is here

http://www.paccsa.org/ski-gear-where-rent-or-buy

I've heard from many friends that whitegrass is spectacular.