Can't believe the magic the grooming gods have created after yesterday afternoons meltdown! The tracks were shallower but still holding firm. The skate was fast and fun. I was afraid the doughnut would be scary icy but it was not. Be careful as you pass snoopy because the small section where the machines cross has soft wet snow that will slow you way down. As I swooshed past a groomer down by whale tail I yelled out "excellent job!".

(Karla Anderson)

Did eight laps of skate with excellent conditions from 7-8:30am. Track looked good as well. Starting to have some sugar by the time I finished.

(Ben Fuller)

Elm Creek will have a trail closure for a section meet as follows: Tues Feb 6, 7-4pm (trails closed to the public).

(Bruce Adelsman)

I did classic at Elm Creek this morning, the tracks were well set and very firm. I was able to get enough kick to make it up the hill with only a little kick out, the donut was scary fast I step turned it. The skaters seemed to be having a good time and the ones I talked to said the deck was firm and consistant. It was suprisingly not very busy.

(Tom A Harris)

Tried to classic ski. Lots of high schoolers classic double poling and in the classic tracks. Tracks were half washed out and corn snow quality. I decided it was not worth it. Turned around and went home. This might be it for my season. There's always next year!

(Earl Stabenow)

Thanks groomers for working your magic! Classic was great and fast (11am to 12 noon) and skate looked very good and firm also. Starting to get soft usual places by noon. I'm amazed we can still ski, so come on out.

(Karen Peters)

Skate skied this morning around 9am. The deck was firm and fast and a bit crispy. Very little wind. Overdressed as the sun came out it got warm. A few deer tracks near the donut loop and elms everest but still not bad! Great morning conditions thankfully due to cooler temps overnight! Three buses arrived as I left so it was starting to get busy.

Photos:

(Jason Phillippi)

Good conditions for classic between 10:30 and 12:30. Softening, as expected in the warm sun and high temps, but the grooming was great and improved the course dramatically compared to Wednesday night. I used skin skis. Most of this time I was helping teach a class of fifth graders. They were very enthusiastic, and it was a lot of fun!

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Great conditions this morning on the Valley Trail for my skin skis and skate deck looked beautiful and fast as well. Amazing that it looked so good after yesterday.

(Benjamin Fuller)

Classic skied just after 10 AM. The Universal klister worked well. Classic track was still pretty good but softening particularly in the sun where it was also wetter and slower. The skate lane was getting quite mushy and rutted... again in the sunny areas. I was done about 10:45 and wouldn't recommend skiing much later than that.

(Mark Lahtinen)