In the absence of reports, I drove up to Elm to take a first hand look. The snow guns are on everywhere but the man-made loop is aggressively roped off and the trail is not such that one would want to ski on it anyway. I walked up to the trail head area from the parking lot to see that, while there appears to be ample snow on the ground, there is no sign of any ski-specific grooming (i.e. corduroy) although there are plenty of deep bulldozer type tracks indicating the grooming equipment has been driven around the area. The view of the lesson area from the road also shows substantial snow cover. With the man-made loop being closed, I took a look at the Northern Lights trail from the over-flow parking lot. I skated one lap and would describe it as thin, firm and rutted. Very few patches of ground showing through but a little too thin and uneven for my taste. I packed it in after one lap.

(Leif Irgens)

Main loop is still not groomed. Snow guns are blasting. Most of Nothern Lights loop is groomed! I looped around a few times and then veered off and was pleasantly surprised when I found I could ski the whole back outer loop!! Some areas I had to be light on my skis to make sure they wouldn't touch down on the gravel/rock through the soft snow, but other than that, fantastic!

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(Mollie Gillberg)

Northern lights trail loop coverage pretty good but soft. Very skiable if you don't edge too aggressively - some dirt exposed on climbs. Also skied northern portion of creek/lake trail (not officially open) - skiable, but more debris and grooming ridges than on northern lights trail. Should be great with a bit more snow and time to set up. No tracks set on any of the trails.

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(James Johnson)

Took a reconnaissance run on the Northern Lights trail on an old pair of waxless touring skis. Deemed it acceptable for skating. Trail had been rolled and the coverage was thin. Several small patches of grass (about the size of a ski binding), various vegetative debris, and very small divots of gravel were showing but it was easy to step around them. Pitched forward on debris a few times but overall, even by my conservative views, skiable with rock skis. I did see the big grooming equipment out on the man made loop as I drove out of the park after skiing.

(Leif Irgens)

The Northern Lights Loop has been packed and is in open for skiing. It is rated as poor, with thin, soft coverage. No tracks set. All other trails remain closed while the park continues to manufacture snow for the Valley Trail.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

The new manager at Elm Creek has clarified the snowmaking situation this December: They have been focusing this week on preparing the alpine/snowboard area because of scheduled lessons, but are still committed to supporting cross-country skiing and will have equipment on the ski trail as well and hope to make good progress with the forecasted cold weather ahead.

(Bruce Adelsman)

Snow guns are running on the lesson area and trail between there and the chalet. It's getting there! Hope to see the first 1K open soon!

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(Brad Johnson)

Guns were running full blast on the practice loop and under the walking bridge. Things look promising for next week!

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(Evan Pengelly)

Guns were running but almost exclusively on the Alpine and tubing hill.

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(Matt Liebsch, Pioneer Midwest Ski Shop)

With the colder temps the snow guns are on in the XC practice area and tubing/alpine areas.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)