Manmade loop at Elver is saving the season here in Madison. Great turnout for MadNorski races and lessons Tuesday evening. Should survive the warm-up and predicted rain.

Photos:

(Mike Ivey)

Freshly groomed Tuesday night and this afternoon with new corduroy for skaters and freshly set classical tracks. Very good condition with plenty of loose snow for an edge and control on the hill which had gotten rather slick and bumpy over the weekend. What an improvement from last years conditions, it's great to have a real hill. I talked to some skiers who were on the west trails who said it wasn't bad but when I was hiking on it after the first dusting I noted numerous rocks and branches still on the trail. Better use your rock skis.

(Robert Abendroth)

Awesome skate deck with fresh corduroy this morning! Likewise, full classic tracks set up for dozen+ happy C&S skiers :-) Thumbs up to the hill climbs, with a fantastic, straight descent! Overall great coverage on this 1.5km loop. Lastly, kudos to the Xmas Crew, groomer Dale S. and Yuri G. for presenting niceties on a Holiday!

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(Steph Osborne)

Nice trail, the fresh snow really helped to improve the classic track compared to yesterday. The hills make the small loop rather fun and challenging. Can't ask for more given the lack of snow. Rate it 10/10.

(Eirik Brandsaas)

Skied around noon. All of the manmade loop and the two big hills were in really good shape. Excellent cover. Classic tracks were just slightly chewed up, but still good. Skating was super nice with the new snow, but slow. Kick wax was Swix VR 55 with very good kick and glide. Overall a great Christmas Eve ski!

(Kaleb Kielisch)

Snowmaking loop groomed with snowcat for classic and skate. All other trails are closed. Snowmaking loop is about 1km.

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(Yuriy Gusev, Central Cross-Country Skiing)

Just over 0.5-mile manmade loop (10 laps = about 8.5km & 820' vertical) in fairly good shape, but could use some snow and TLC, particularly on hill. B skis, but still probably best within 150 miles!

(Daryl Hinz)

Skied the lit areas at 8pm. Conditions were firm but not boiler plate. Classic tracks were in good shape and not too glazed. I skated and classic skied. Kick wax was Rex Pro Grip Red. Very good skiing considering the weather.

(Kaleb Kielisch)

My first time on the manmade loop at Elver, it was excellent, I did not see any bare spots, full classic tracks on the flat loop, not just one but really 3 hill segments to choose from! Kudos to all involved in making this happen. The park does not allow MadNorSki or CXC to charge people to ski on the manmade loop, clearly there are many costs to making and grooming the snow. The costs are borne by Madnorski, CXC and volunteer donations. Please be sure you have a city ski pass in hand and consider joining MadNorSki and donating to the Trailblazer fund so we can keep the manmade loop going this year and for future years.

(Leslie Taylor)

Manmade 1km loop in good shape. I would recommend B skis, but a close call. There is a bonafide hill (up and down) on this loop that makes it extraordinary. And options to avoid or limit the hill if so desired (but why would you!).

(Daryl Hinz)