Mountain biking in the Wasatch Back. Photo: Mountain Trails Foundation

PARK CITY, Utah — The winter season looked different this year for Nordic trail crews with the Mountain Trails Foundation. Between a late start, slow buildup, mild conditions and an already melting snowpack, recreation-ready backcountry trails have been difficult to maintain.

In a typical winter, the trail grooming crew has a fairly straight-forward approach to maintaining Round Valley, Clark Ranch, and Bonanza Flat, according to Lora Anthony, executive director for MTF.

“This season, however, the lack of snow was a different kind of challenge,” said Anthony. “To stay busy, the crew spent a lot of time through the winter on spring chores like sharpening tools, maintaining equipment, working on dirt season planning, and attending to the myriad details to be ready for an early dirt season.”

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Bonanza Flat became the go-to for Park City cross-country skiers this season, according to Anthony—a shift from previous years, when the Round Valley trail system was the “golden child.” The Park City Bonanza Winter Shuttle also helped users access higher-elevation trails where snow coverage lasted longer.

Trail crews are now removing winter markers and maps from Round Valley and Clark Ranch as they prepare for the spring season. In Round Valley, early-season work is already underway, including improvements to the Big Easy trail and a section just below Rademan Ridge, with a focus on enhancing S-turns for better flow and accessibility.

Heavy maintenance work is expected across several trails this season. Anthony urged users to respect all closures. “Machine operators cannot see trail users which makes it very dangerous for trail users and challenging for the trail crew,” she said. “The more trail users interrupt work, the slower the progress, the longer the trail is off line.”

Looking ahead to summer, Anthony anticipates an early dirt season and said crews are hoping for a strong monsoon cycle to help manage dry conditions.