Winter (or lack of it) - Update 1-09-12

I'm sure you have notcied the weather this winter hasn't been anyting like we were expecting.   After a nearly perfect season last year with plentiful snow we were hoping to continue the trend this winter,  Mother nature decided to keep things interesting and withhold our snow.  

Now for the bad news,  the current conditions in the Greater Traverse City Area:  patchy snow cover with no base.  No lakes are frozen with any snow cover.  I have heard reports that Little Glen lake is frozen but has no snow cover.   Lake Skegemog has partial ice, but no one is fishing meaning the ice is unsafe.   Also the Ice Yacht Club is reporting no safe ice in the area.   We have temps in the mid 40s for the next few days so beware of any ice that you find. 

Outlook for the season,  this isn't our first bad winter start.  The lakes are cooling off and will freeze quickly if we get a week of calm cold nights.   We are going to need a lot of snow to try and ride inland.  with out any base from our previous snow events, we need a solid 18 inches to lay down enough base to coat the ground.  If we get ice on the lakes that number drops to 6 inches.   I think we will be game on for some good snow kiting in two to three weeks.  Until then our Ski Resorts are making snow and have decent conditions even with the lack of natural snow.  Boyne invented snow making and has a good base along with Crystal and Schuss mountains.  So go ride the lifts and get in some practice on your board. 

If things improve I will post and spread the word. 

- DC