I skied classic this morning starting about 9:30. The first two laps were a bit slow but each lap got a bit faster, the last lap I stepped out of the tracks on the donut downhill. It looked like some one had done several classic laps before I got there also three laps skate, I never saw another skier for an hour and a half. The wind wasn't bad, I had to flip my glasses up due to frost and still didn't have to worry about my face. The classic skiing was good with lots of kick and fairly good glide. It looked like the skate was rather slow with ski tracks being at most one and a half ski lengths long.

(Thomas Harris)

Glorious conditions on the snowmaking trails, kudos to the groomers and park staff. The tracks looked perfect, and the skate deck was firm yet pliable given the 35 degree temps, with excellent glide. There was a bit of sugar on a few uphills, but not bad at all. A wonderful day and place to ski.

(Jason Goepfert)

Skiing (classic) was the best - fast but not icy. The skate deck looked firm (no slush). Snow was colder (harder) than I expected. FYI - ski teams arrived around 2 pm. Thank you groomers for a great job!

(Karen Peters)

Skied the snowmaking classic track today and was great! Trails were in good condition with a fast glide. Didn't stay too long as all the high school teams showed up to practice along with little kids team.

(Laura McBroom)

Exceptionally fast ski today--skate deck clean, firm and in great condition mid-morning with tiny amounts of sugar building on the uphill sections; lack of wind from the NNW made for a blissful workout. Classic tracks looked freshly set.

(Karen Rosenflanz)

Classic tracks were deep and slightly fast. Trails were groomed this morning and in excellent condition. Maple Grove, Roger's and Elk River high schoolers were there, some getting lessons and others getting in some practice. Great to see all the youth skiing and learning. They ski in waves, then nothing, then another wave of young skiers.

Photos:

(Earl Stabenow)

Happy New Year's Day to everyone. Celebrated with a classic ski around Elm Creek's man-made snow. Was the first time using the classic trails this season. A bit icy, but tracks held up very well.

(Jim Cloutier)

Lots of sugar everywhere. As an experienced skier I didn't feel it very much. My dad, however, is a beginner slightly older skier and was done after one lap due to the heavy sugar, especially on the up and downhills. Glide was still good and some parts were better than others.

(Caleb Osterberg)

With most trails closed, the manmade snow loop at the park was very busy. By 9 a.m., the skate deck was deep and sugary but still had good glide. The park folks have done a commendable job keeping the trail not only open but in good condition.

(Jason Goepfert)

Things were getting pretty soft and deep later in the day throughout the man-made loop, but happy that some areas were still firmer and faster than anticipated. A few uphill sections were showing underlying dirt, but there were no true obstacles to avoid throughout the course. Well worth the visit- many thanks to the groomers!

(Pieter DeHart)