Natural was better than the man made! Lake was well groomed and protected from the wind. Hill was a little softer but still great with nobody on it! Man made surface of Star and Willow were frozen pretty hard, so this was a nice surprise!

(Scott Kirkwood)

As of early this morning, it was still just the star and willow loops that were groomed for classic skiing. It looked like grooming has happened around the lake - but the drop down to the lake wasn't groomed up to the man made trail. Thanks Hyland crew for all your work.

(Scott Greymont)

what a wonderful morning for a ski. Great track. The only issue is the Willow hill - the tracks are a bit glazed - causing very little grip with the skins. Got my snow dance going hoping for some natural snow.

(Scott Greymont)

Day 2 of the beginning of the Winter XC Ski Season at Hyland. Trails are not busy! 1.8 k (Star and Willow) of the manufactured snow trails are packed, tracked and in good conditions. Online rentals begin today.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Willow and Star were really fun. No bare ground. It was a sunny afternoon above freezing and my fishscale skis with quick wax did alright.

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(Cory Quirk)

Stop 2 of 4: Hit the trails around 10:30 am. Very good conditions with plenty of snow and nicely groomed surface (about half inch loose on top, firm but not hardpack). Nice classic track set as well. Temps were just pushing above freezing but the course was still skiing fast. Just the Star and Willow loops open today. The best conditions out of the trails I skied today, mostly because of timing with the temperatures. Surprisingly not busy, plenty of room at the visitor center parking lot.

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(Bruce Adelsman)

What a great post Thanksgiving surprise having a full mile loop available to ski. Plenty of people getting their ski on this morning. Star and Willow are open so a little bit of hills available.

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(Scott Greymont)

Black Friday Update: The first 1.8K (Star and Willow) of Hyland Cross Country Ski Trails will open on Friday! Starting Saturday, Nov 26th, ski rentals will be available online.

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Hyland XC ski breaking news: With the cold temps in the teens last night, more snow was made and Hyland's amazing groomers will be able to open 1.8K Hyland XC Ski Trails on Saturday, 5am - 10pm. Visitor Center is closed Thursday for Thanksgiving and will be open 9-5 on Friday - Sunday. Thank you to Hyland Maintenance!

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)

Hyland Maintenance made good progress making 60% of the snow needed to open the first kilometer (Star Loop). Grooming plans: With the warmer temps this week, snowmaking will be minimal. No date for opening at this time. Elm Creek's snowmaking trail is open!

(Sonja Bercich, Three Rivers Park District)