For the first pass we need to have enough snow to totally cover the fields usually 8 or more inch of snow and very little wind. The first pass usually will take 35 to 45 hours to go over the 140 miles of trails we groom. Once we have gone over the trails once the biggest issue to decide if we groom or not is the wind and drifting. It does not pay to groom if it drifts in right behind you. Another issue is temperature, if it gets warm the snow gets sticky and does not groom very well. If you can make snowballs it probably is too warm to groom. Another consideration is how much snow is on the trails to groom, sometimes it can get thin and grooming will not help to improve the trails. To groom the system normally will take about 28 to 35 hours to go over the 140 miles. This last fall it took about 170 volunteer hours to clear and put up the trail system in. To learn more about what it takes to put the trail system in and maintain the trails please consider joining a local club.