Skied a few 2k loops. Great snow. Cold, but smooth gliding on almost fresh corduroy. The last segment looks very close to opening. Saw the lights lit up on Northern Lights, so decided to give it a try. Bad idea. More gravel than snow, and Cowabunga Hill looked like a Class 5 Blizzard from DQ. The snowmaking Loop is A+. Northern Lights is unskiable.

(Andor Langski)

Skied classic and skate at Elm this evening, finishing around 9:00 pm. Classic tracks were still there and in good shape most of the way around the current 2km loop. Skate deck was quite firm in places, softer in others and the snow seemed noticeably slower than on Tuesday. While the rest of the man-made loop is still not open, I did see a groomer take a couple of laps on that portion of the loop this evening. I'll take that as a sign the rest of the loop may open soon.

(Leif Irgens)

Conditions on the ~2km man made loop were good. They are blowing snow and appear to be about to open the final ~0.5km of the man made loop. Apart from some blowing snow and few spots of the classic track where the piston bully had to travel across to work on the new area the skiing was very good. Was there from 6:00 to 7:30-ish and it wasn't overly busy by any means.

(Erik Erickson)

Skied the manmade snow loop after this mornings light snow...very nice....very quiet. Looks like they may be getting ready to open the last segment?

(Mike Flynn)

Very good. Classic tracks set. Quite a few high schoolers out but plenty of room to spare. About 2km worth.

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(Kevin Wendland)

Great skiing today. Kick wax worked and there is hope for the body coming around. There's a pile of snow...ready to go...for the lower dough(nut) - see photo.

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(Mark Lahtinen)

Conditions at Elm today were perfect. Couldn't tell it was man-made snow. Skied classic. Tracks were in great shape. The skating deck was in good shape also. Lots of skiers, but not too crowded. The tubing hill isn't open yet, so parking was plentiful.

(Mark Waldoch)

Elm Creek wa a popular choice today! Still plenty of room for everyone. Snow was soft and slow and quite fun for skating. Didn't try the track but it looked like it was holding up well. New expanded 2k felt Birkie-like after burning my lungs on La Squadra on Friday. Can't wait for more to open everywhere!

(Joe Dolan)

Stopped in for the Nordic Opener on Saturday. Wow, huge crowds! Even the beach parking lot was 3/4 full. The trail has been expanded to 2K -- just missing the final loop down by the bridge. Skiing was still quite good as of 11:30 am, amazing given all the traffic. And great to see so many vendors and demos.

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(Bruce Adelsman)

Approximately 2K of trails is open and in good condition. Celebrate cross-country skiing at the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener on Saturday, December 9th from 9am - 4pm.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)