Groomers groomed skate deck and were able to set track this morning. Skiers report classic tracks are pretty good.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

Great day to ski classic at Lake Elmo! Classic tracks set this morning, shallow in a few places, snow is fast. Only one spot with icy snow and that area is flat. It's time out there while we still have snow!

(Kathy Mielke)

Skate skied the whole East side of the trail system around 10:30am. Groomers were making the rounds. Obviously a little slow from the warmth, but a good base and overall, an awesome ski! Bet they'll be even better early tomorrow after a cold night. Classic tracks hadn't been set but a few people out classic skiing on the skate deck. Hey, we'll take what we can get in March! Great day on the trails!

Photos:

(Liz Westerhaus)

Skied the east side trails today. Newly groomed; firm and damp but not wet. Reasonable glide but no classic tracks. In some spots I could hear the trail groan as it compressed under my weight, in some spots my pole caught due the heavy damp snow. Since the snow was so sticky it was hard to get an edge and on some of the downhills there were ruts. There was full coverage, three slushy spots easily avoided and a couple of icy spots where the trail was exposed to the wind. All in all, the trail was in great shape; skintecs worked great.

(Ralph Schwartz)

Groomers are currently working on the east side ski trails. The trails are in less than ideal shape. There are patches of ice, very wet slushy portions, and due to the high winds there is also brush on the trails. The groomers are unable to re-set track. They are skiable but use caution.

(Carolyn Friedrich, Washington County Parks)

Skated all ski loops east and west, 20K total. As of late afternoon all still had good snow coverage and a classic track. I used A skis and was happy with the choice. It is getting thin on the south facing downhills on brown loop so use caution there. As I left the snow was starting to ice up and skate will be bumpy unless groomed, new snow, or thawing.

(David Johnson)

Eagle Point was in good to very good condition considering the weather. It was overcast and 40. Trail has not been groomed since last weekend but is holding up well. Little rutting; varying from unmetamorphised snow to shallow, wet corn atop a firm base. There is still plenty of snow. I used FastWax Yellow LF. Conditions were not as good as earlier in the week but if you followed the most shaded portions of the trail you could still move pretty fast. I broke an 8 mph pace despite slowing after cresting the last hill on the east end.

(Keith Carlson)

Skied clasic on the west trail only, ending about 4 pm. The car thermometer read 41 degrees. Classic track varies from unused new track to six inches wide per ski. However, that ultra wide track had a solid divider and side walls. The entire loop has solid track with maybe a blowout or two. There is tree litter at the big cottonwood tree. Track was varing degrees of fast. The deck was pliable enough to get an edge in the few places where a skid or step turn was required. Thin spots are obvious. I ran the no wax rock skis. The B skis would be fine. The tar kick wax ripped off the wood skis instantly so those were put away.

(Jeff Bolte)

Ski trails were groomed this morning. The skate deck was re-groomed, tracks were not re-set. Trails are in fair to good condition with some icy spots at the base of the hills.

(Carolyn Friedrich, Washington County Parks)

Road Fat bike on the west side of the park on well groomed (for Fat Biking!) trails at 6:15 a.m. today. Snow was hard packed with some places where it was frozen from obviously slushy melt yesterday afternoon and evening. Great ride but I am sure the trail will deteriorate through the day and harden back up tonight. Look forward to riding tomorrow and Saturday! Thanks grooming crew!

(Tim Torgerson)