Latest Conditions

Groomers were out today rolling 4” of snow we received overnight. No grooming was performed. More snow is forecasted for tomorrow, Friday, along with strong winds and sub-zero temps which will limit trail work. Note: Care should be taken when using trails because of the high possibility of winds blowing snow-laden trees.

The Mercer area is under a winter storm warning for the next few days; very cold temps, blowing winds, and heavy snow. Groomers expect to deal with downed trees coupled with heavy drifting. Tomorrow groomers plan on rolling and tree removal, most likely no grooming. We will keep you updated.

Groomers were out tonight setting track and combing skate lanes on 11K of trails before more snow rolls in later this week. Trails should have great skiing tomorrow before the storm hits. The far west end of Bluebird, Otter, Voss Lake, and Birch were not groomed.

All skate lanes were groomed this morning and are in very good shape. Tracks are also in good condition.

The entire trail system was rolled today. Tracks were set and skate lanes renovated with good looking corduroy. Pole plants and skate deck are a bit soft and will be firming up with the cold temps moving in. Good to very good conditions. See you on the trails this weekend.

We received 10” of wet snow early this morning (Thursday, 12/15). Unfortunately, the temperature is currently above freezing which prohibits grooming operations. Tomorrow, with the temperature below freezing, we’re planning for an all day effort by groomers to roll, renovate and level skate lanes, and set tracks.

We’ll post a grooming update for the weekend on Friday evening, 12/16.

Conditions range from fair to good. The skate lane is mostly good with some early season thin spots that can easily be skied around. Tracks were set but they have spots where the grass is visible, yet avoidable. There is a stretch with icy water as it crosses the marsh on Bluebird. It can be traversed, but is sloppy. Overall pretty good for early season skiing.

The chalet will open 7 days a week beginning on December 15th from 8am to 6pm.

MECCA Trails has picked up 3″ to 4″ of light snow over the past week. This amount of snow has not significantly changed the trail conditions which are rated as fair. The compacted base is approximately 2″ to 3″. Skiers will encounter a few areas of very light snow coverage.

Today the area east of the Little Turtle Flowage which includes Deer, Moose, Homestead and Osprey Loops has been rolled and combed. Classical tracks have not been set because of the limited snow base. Wetlands have been rolled and combed and are skiable. The Chalet will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the next two weeks.

Special Note – Bluebird Trail which traverses the flowage area has running water over a short section and is not passable for skiers. Bluebird provides access to Otter, Birch and Voss Lake Trails and they will not be groomed until the water issue is solved. To access these trails park at the Little Turtle Flowage Lot. The ski club is working with the DNR to remedy the issue.

Mercer received approximately five to six inches of snow today adding to the three inches of snow on the ground currently. Trails are open for skiing and snowshoeing; however, both activities are rated as marginal.  Trail users should be aware of early season conditions such as low snow depth and wetlands not completely frozen resulting in a “soft” surface.  Additionally, the statewide muzzleloader season is open from Monday, November 28th to Wednesday, December 7th on lands which encompass the MECCA Trail System.  Trail users should wear blaze orange or bright colored clothing.

Grooming operations will be limited until wetlands become frozen to support equipment along with a grooming moratorium on DNR lands until the end of the muzzleloader season.  Long range forecast looks promising with cold temps at night and chances of interment light snowfalls.

Over the past few days the Mercer Area has received a series of light snowfalls coupled with freezing temperatures. Currently we have approximately five inches plus of snow on the ground – just what we want!

However, the Wisconsin Deer Gun Hunting Season opens on Saturday, November 19^th and closes on Sunday, November 27^th. The public lands (Iron County Forest and WI DNR) which the MECCA Trail System traverses are open to hunting; therefore, during this period there will not be any grooming of ski trails. After this period, grooming of ski trails will commence as conditions dictate.  Also, we are monitoring closely the four wetlands the ski trail system crosses to determine if they are frozen enough to support grooming equipment and skiers.