Skated all the trails on the warming house side. Trail had not been groomed since yesterday, so a tich skittish in places. However good snow coverage, no more than expected debris. Good skis with care.

(Stan Hokanson)

Friday is your best bet at Lake Elmo where you will find groomed trails. Yeah! But it doesn't last long, washing out quickly with heavy use -- you, me, and hoards from teams/groups. Late morning is your best window of opportunity.

(Charlie Corcoran)

The tracks were not reset when the deck was freshened up this morning. The tracks are somewhat icy, wiped out in places and often full of oak leaves and sticks.

(Bryan Heinle)

Excellent conditions at Lake Elmo! Apart from some pine needles and oak leaves in a few of the woodland stretches where you would expect them, the rest of the east side trails were firm and fast. We are so lucky to have so many great ski trails--and such good groomers, who wake up early and stay out late to keep them well-maintained.

(Ernie Ogot)

Trails on the East side of the park were freshly groomed early this morning and everything has set up beautifully. The trails are in great condition for the weekend. The West side trails were also repacked today.

(Jen Garcia, Washington County Parks)

After a disappointingly slow ski at Elm Creek yesterday that caused me to lament that maybe old age had caught up with me; that maybe I couldn't ski that fast anymore, the very good conditions at Lake Elmo acted to restore my faith in my abilities by allowing me to do my fastest skate of the season so far. Same temperature - 36 to 37 degrees, same skis and wax as yesterday but the harder packed surface allowed me to ski 30% faster and for me to completely skate nearly all the uphills transitioning to a walk just before the summit on only the highest ones. I skied Browns Pond, the "old" Lake Elmo portion of Hills, Prairie and Savanna in just over 40 minutes. An added benefit was that despite a 4:15 start, it was still light until the very end of my ski. Sunset is already 9 minutes later than it was since its earliest on Dec. 15. There were less than 20 cars in the parking lot when I arrived and it was practically empty when I left. That's a shame because it was great skiing.

(Keith Carlson)

First time at Lake Elmo and my first time going out for a quick ski this year (I know I'm late), and this place was perfect! My route did have a lot of tracks and some debris on it, but I am not a serious skier and didn't mind because the trail was still packed down. I was the one in lala land enjoying the woods, and looking like a penguin out there. Thanks to all of the parks crews for taking care of the trails.

Photos:

(Chelsea Dummer)

Trails were freshly packed this morning and the tracks on the East Side remain in tact from getting set yesterday. A little more debris in the heavily wooded areas from trees shedding leaves but overall the trails are in fair/good condition! Another loop was tracked around the Swim Pond in the North loop. West side trails were also repacked for multi-use.

(Jen Garcia, Washington County Parks)

The best it's ever been! Nice deep tracks, okay a couple leaves and pine needles, but 95% clean, deep tracks like frosting on a wedding cake! Lots of skaters also and the couple times when tracks ended and I jumped on the skate deck, it was solid with good footing.

(Carol Fitzgerald)

Freshly groomed trails and in very good shape for both skating and classic. Skins performed well with Fast Wax Artic for glide and my daughter got good performance with Universal Grip Tape and Blue glide. One of our skiers rented their rock skis for $10 but very short and only strapped to boots so unless you are desperate to ski, not recommended. Rentals are available at park entrance. Great day to get out, and Happy Holidays!

Photos:

(Scott Ford)