Conditions: Firm and fast but slick in places.
Skated the 1.5 km man made loop at 10:00 am. I found the skate deck to be somewhat firm and fast but I had a lot of trouble keeping my skis under me as it seemed to be very hard and or icy in places. There were several ruts that were hard to see due to the flat light. Observing and talking to others indicated they were having similar problems.

(Leif Irgens)

Conditions: Great first ski of the year.
Got out to Elm Creek at lunch today for a little classic. The tracks had about an inch of snow in them which made for an interesting first few laps. After that, the kick started coming easier with skin skis. It was easy to get an edge at the bottom of the downhill as the manmade snow had a little give thanks to recent grooming and temps around 32 degrees.

(Randall Ochmann)

The short loop opened this morning. It was good skiing and the classic track was good when I hopped in it to double-pole a bit and it got faster after the 3rd pass. Overall it was slow skating though with the wet snow and wet mix falling and warm temps.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Portions of Elm Creek's X-C ski trails are groomed and ready for skiers! 1.5 K of the Valley Trail (snowmaking loop) is packed and tracked in good condition for skating and classic. Our goal is to open the Terrain Park by this weekend at the latest. Cold temps are needed to make additional snow for the Tube hill, ski/snowboard lesson areas and the remainder of the Valley Trail. Stay tuned for updates. Elm Creek Chalet is now open daily for selling daily and season passes for all winter activities.

(Wayne Iseri, Three Rivers Park District)

Going great guns. The short loop should be open soon.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Elm Creek was able to make good progress on snow making this past few week but unfortunately the temps have risen into the upper 30's so we have to pull the plug on the snow guns and wait until we get more COLD weather. Let's hope for a week of low temps so we can open our ski trails and other winter activities.

(Wayne Iseri, Three Rivers Park District)

Guns were blazing around noon, but all off at 4pm. Concentrating around the start area, chalet, and the hills to the east. Pretty good sized piles.

Photos:

(Joel LaFrance)

They started making snow last night. Shut it down about 10 this morning as it warmed up.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Elm Creek will start making snow tonight and continue until temps rise above freezing. Unfortunately the long term forecast is not cooperating for continuous days of snow making. Ideally we need cold temps into the teens and continuing day and night so we can make snow 24/7. Remember that Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area makes snow for X-C ski trails, tube hill, alpine lessons areas and a terrain Park. Be assured that our snow making crew that is staffed 24 hours a day is dedicated to opening these areas ASAP but we are dependent on Mother Nature to lend a helping hand. (Photos: Mark Lahtinen)

Photos:

(Wayne Iseri, Three Rivers Park District)