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<br />grooming the designated trails to allow for the above mentioned activities to take place. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Providing a well maintained, smooth trail will depend on ground surfaces which <br />are free from stumps, rocks, roots or other debris. Because the snow surface will reflect <br />the ground surface conditions, a well groomed, smooth trail depends upon several things: <br />a relatively smooth and even ground surface; a good snow base; and good grooming <br />practices (DNR, 1996). Under optimum conditions, grooming should begin when snow <br />depth has reached approximately twelve inches. The snow base should be built from the <br />bottom up by compacting snow after any significant snowfall. Also, snow removal <br />would need to occur at the trailheads after each snowfall. <br /> <br />Cross Country Ski Trails <br /> <br />The cross country ski trails would follow the paved treadways that are used for <br />hiking and biking at other times of the year. These treadways would provide the smooth <br />surface needed to establish a well groomed trail. However, these would be more difficult <br />to maintain because cross country ski trails located on pavement require more snow <br />patching over the course of the season. This occurs because blacktop heats up and can <br />retain heat, causing the snow to melt in certain places where the snow base may be thin <br />and a larger amount of sunlight hits the surface. As well, pavement does not freeze as <br />quickly as trails located on the ground. Grooming a trail will lengthen the snow melt <br />time in the spring, due to compaction. However, most parks in the metro area that offer <br />excellent cross country skiing, have established trails located on blacktop. Hence, this <br />practice is encouraged and successful, but more time and effort will need to be devoted <br />towards winter maintenance compared to trails located on non-paved sections. Some of <br />the physical characteristics that need to be acknowledged for ski trails include: <br /> <br />· downhill sections need to be widened with increased slope <br /> <br />· horizontal clearance of two feet on either side of the trail treadway <br /> <br />· vertical clearance of ten feet above the expected snow depth <br /> <br />· turning radius-fifty feet minimum, one hundred feet preferred (DNR,1996). <br /> <br />24 <br />