The winter of 1997-98 Bloomington had no cross country ski-able days until February 4th, 1998
Wednesday February 4th
Wednesday evening El Niño provided a strong storm that moved up from Florida along the east coast of the United States into the Bloomington area. Much of Kentucky and Ohio received a foot or more of snowfall. In Indiana, Indianapolis and places north recieved no accumulation. Southern Indiana received up to fourteen inches south by the Ohio river and more east than west. Bloomington was on the predicted boarder of any snowfall, but for ski fans, we were lucky. We received in the area of 3 inches. Tracks indicated that one or two persons skied the IU golf course the late hours of Wednesday.
Thursday February 5th
The morning temperature at 8 am was around 32ºF. The ski conditions at IU golf course were good for in track skiing from 8 to 9 A.M. From 9 to 10 AM the temperature rose to the point that snow began sticking to skis in track. Conditions were still fair if one stayed out of tracks and skied fresh snow. Thursday evening at 7 PM conditions remained fair. Sticking of snow on skis was a problem. From 7 PM to Midnight more snow fell bringing accumulation to approximately four inches although settling seemed to keep the total ground cover about the same depth.
Friday February 6th
The temperature remained near freezing. Low spots were wet where drainage occurs and resulted in ice and snow problems on ones skis if you did not avoid these areas. Using fresh snow and careful use of tracks only in high areas allowed for fair skiing conditions. Friday night had clear skies which resulted in colder temperatures.
Saturday February 7th
The early morning temperature was 25º F. Below freezing temperature provided good skiing conditions. This skier was not able to get out, but many tracks all over the golf course show that many Bloomington in-track classic skiers enjoyed the frozen snow. The temperature of Saturday afternoon reached the upper 30s. It was questionable whether any snow would survive for Sunday morning skiing. Tracks show that less than normal numbers of skate skiers have been out this year. Warm temperature wax would have been required before Saturday.
Sunday February 8th
Again skies were clear and temperatures dropped into the lower to mid-twenty degrees. This skier got out at 8 AM. There were brown spots including some large areas on some southern facing slopes. All of the service roads were completely melted. Still conditions were good as one picked the best routes. Approximately 95% of the ground was still covered. The snow was frozen enough that this was the first day that this skier was able to skate ski. The area that is the driving range had almost no tracks from previous days and was the best, in fact very good, for skate skiing as well as track skiing. Conditions remained good (if snow covered) through 10 AM. Prior days tracks were mostly unusable due to melting that occurred on Saturday.
Monday February 9th
The determined skier might have found spoty sking on the driving range this morning at sun up to end a very short season.
-----Spring___________________________Summer___________________________________Fall------
Thursday December 31, 1998
The fall of 1998 was very warm and dry. We wore shorts and short sleeves through most of November. The final week of the year temperatures dropped to daytime highs in the lower twenties or upper teens. Snow fell the night of December 30th. The morning of the 31st, we were treated to five degrees and three powdery inches of snow. Cross-Country skiing seems to be getting more popular in Bloomington, because by 11 A.M. when we arrived at the IU golf course, tracks would suggest that 50 skiers had beat us to our quest to be first out. Those skiers probably found conditions ideal, because despite clear direct sun on the snow, by 11:30 we will still gliding with ease with our scratched old waxless in-track skis that had seen no silicone since last season. Air temperature reached only 15 degrees for the day. We did find some snow sticking on our skis if we stood too long on slopes most directly facing the sun. Friday and Saturday are predicted to bring us snow that will stay for the week to come. A wonderful end to an off year. We predict good snow and good skiing for 1999.
