They have opened up the shorter loop on Valley trail for 1.7k total. Great day - lots of sun. Tracks were good and firm. The steeper uphills were getting sugary by 1 pm, but most of the rest of the deck was good. There were 7 snow guns going on the downhill area, so a fair amount of blowing snow near the chalet. Was a fantastic day to be out.

Photos:

(Laurie Ford)

Gorgeous morning at Elm Creek. The 1.2 mile skate deck was relatively fast and the snow guns were blazing. Newly-made snow was blown over the trail in a few spots, which slowed things down. But I'm very happy to get in such great skis with the unseasonal weather we've experienced. Thank you, Elm Creek groomers and snow-makers!

(Matt Frantzen)

The tracks were a bit more shallow today but still very good, I had good kick (skins) and glide. The deck looked like it was good and people seemed to be getting an edge, For some reason the breeze didn't seem bad today.

(Tom Harris)

2k of Valley Trail is open and in good condition. Yesterday was not closed but we did have a gate malfunction at the entrance to the park.

(Dominic Ray, Three Rivers Park District)

As of 6:30am gates were still closed. You can see the snow guns blowing.

(Scott Greymont)

Would have been a great morning for skate as the deck is firm with just enough snow on to for edge. The classic tracks are nice and deep and many areas with two sets of tracks. Greasy is a good way to describe them. Very little kick with the skin skis may have been a klister sort of day.

Photos:

(Scott Greymont)

Elm Creek is now open to the neck before the whale tail [ i.e. south donut is not open -- Ed.]. The tracks are deep, firm but a bit icy. The deck looked like it might be a bit skittery.

Photos:

(Tom Harris)

Fast conditions as the grooming had set up nicely in the cooler overnight temps. The groomers have extended the trail past the practice area down to (but not including) the south donut; then returning up the big hill. The Strava segment had it at 1.12 miles.

(Don Callander)

Fantastic conditions this morning and all of the snow guns were blazing. We should have a nice, longer trail very soon.

(Matt Frantzen)

Stop 3 of 4: Load of skiers out, probably in part to the 10 am time. Parking lot was about half full, but not crowded on the 1K loop. Loop remains the practice area to the donut. Hard to tell with the new 1/2" snow, but looks like there was manmade snow down to the start of the lower donut. Snow was beginning to get slower as temps pushed above freezing (and with the mix of fresh wet snow). Classic track looked good, and there were a lot of classic skiers out (50%?).

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)