Trails are open, but neither the groomers or trail testers have been out. Expect more iciness should you go out exploring, or better yet, wait until tomorrow. Ancient One's grooming plan sounds a little like a story I have read more than a few times. Last evening the trails were too soft, this morning they were too hard, hopefully tonight they will be just right. Stay tuned.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Yesterday was big fun, today we have another rainy day. Trails will be closed today. They will reopen tomorrow. Thanks.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

What a beautiful day! Conditions were pretty exceptional. Some tracks were pretty soft and blown out but we never had an issue. Skied the perimeter (but not the black diamond area east of the railway bed). Truly appreciate the fantastic job the groomers have done.

Photos:

(Shane Snyder)

Oh my gosh! Near perfect conditions and weather! Very little leaf litter or wash out of the classic track. Track set depth generally good. The parking lot and road in was almost full but we really didn't encounter many skiers on the easy trail.

(Joanne Reinhart)

Near perfect conditions. Trails firmed up a bit from Friday, lot faster, and last Sat eve grooming helped leave a perfect level of firmness and soft snow on top. Well done taming the 18+" of fresh snow groom team!

(Kyle Henning)

Babe just reported in that he and Minnow had just finished their evening run with the medium screens. This is Minnows third grooming run in his rookie week. He is definitely helping to pick up the slack for all of the groomers who headed northeast for the big race. He will be even better when we don't have to go looking for him to help him get back to the grooming cave. Babe also reported that we should expect great trail conditions for our Sunday ski! Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Beautiful day and trails, great skiing. Light soft top coat on skate and some solid classic tracks all the way around. Thank you grooming team!

(Kyle Henning)

Chainsaw just finished a solo, two lap run around the outer loop with the medium screens for your Saturday skiing pleasure. Ancient One and Minnow were out this morning and screened all of the trails with the medium screens as well. What a difference a day makes. The trail crew has done a great job of getting the trails back in shape after the big snow. Evolution was out midday and from all accounts may have put down the best tracks of the season on the flatter trails. Expect quite good conditions for your Saturday skiing. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson)

Just completed todays third grooming run. Each successive run has firmed things more. That said, with total event snowfall around 12" things are still soft and slow. Tonight should firm things further. All trails are open, but the upper loop on wash pond flats by the gravel pits has some sizable snow drifts crossing the trail as does the north side of Stoney rollers. Grooming plans: Tracks will get set possibly as soon as Friday. Enjoy.

(Dave Kallemeyn)

Eight new inches, rolled. You know the old saying, "never ask anyone to do anything you wouldn't do yourself"? At 6 this morning, two hours into our nearly 4 hour grooming shift, I was regretting that a bit. Flipper and I had a bit of project this morning. On the first pass of the outer loop, I led without a roller to break trail. To keep the rollers "floating" rather than plowing, we needed to go 14-17mph. After three passes, we will say the trail is "skiable", but quite bumpy and a bit of a mess. WAYBAC and Evolution are out now finishing up the rest of the system. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)