Some photos from this morning. Skiing was good and the track was holding up although the temp was already 40. Parking lot was full just before 9:00 when I left. No temps cold enough to make snow in the forecast. :(. A reminder that the short loop is about 1.33 Ks as measured on ArcView for those that are keeping track.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Conditions: Very good conditions on manmade loop with classic track holding up well. Skiable Northern Lights Loop but rck ski conditions and not for the novice skier.
Elm Creek around 1:00 p.m. today was still a pretty busy place with a number of skiers taking advantage of the Elm Creek Park snow guns. The manmade snow is groomed out well and holding up well. The section under the bridge is slow (as per usual conditions there) but the downhill and climb on the donut were both in excellent shape. The Northern Lights Loop wasn't closed off, so I couldn't resist exploring the rolled track leading off the donut loop. I have to say I was surprised by the fact you could actually ski the entire loop with the exception of a small grass section leading back to the donut. I skied in mid-30-degree conditions and found I could get an edge in most places, but it is definitely rock ski conditions and not for the faint of heart, with ruts and sections of grass showing. The main downhill is in pretty good shape (no bare spots yet) but very glazed and would not offer any purchase for snowplowing, so bear that in mind.

Photos:

(Margaret Adelsman)

Conditions: Very good. Red Fastwax.
Spent some time with the twins on the abbreviated Valley Trail tonight, third time there this year. Conditions were very good, packed well with a layer of sugar, a few polished spots and minor ruts, edging was easy and glide excellent. The trail now goes around the lesson area making it a bit longer than it had been, but the outer portion remains closed. Nice to be able to ski early again this year, lots of x-c and downhillers out already.

(Steve Evans)

Conditions: Great grooming for classic and skate skiing (1.5km loop). Snow has been holding well.
Kudos go to groomers for keeping up good skiing condition! Whether one wants to do a decent workout or gets in a casual fun skiing with friends and families, the place offers that.

(Amy Xu, Rainbow Resort)

Just one snowgun going on the XC trails at Elm Creek.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Trails were great at 5pm. The skate deck was smoother than yesterday and had a nice layer on top of the firm base. Classic track looked good.

(Ben Mullin)

Conditions: Nicely groomed for skate and classic skiing. Tracks are clean and holding firm tonight. Temp at Elm Creek Time Trial (ECTT) xc ski kick off race event was 38F, no wind, perfect night out for a good effort.
It is nice and warm night (even for me traveling back from Hong Kong yesterday) to just come and join the fun. Not prepared for any skiing at all, but it was too tempting not to stride a few loops. Melinda and her race support crew (Beth, RJ, Andrea, and KJ's mom Kris) started the ECTT Wed. night series on a perfect night. It always feels home when you click into the bindings, chit-chatting with good friends by the trailhead. Though a bit out of shape, so what, aren't we all skiing for fun, for love of life, for health and happiness? Hope to be back more, and keep up with great grooming and the holiday spirits.

Photos:

(Amy Xu)

Conditions: Generally hard packed, not quite icy, definitely lumpy.
It beats roller skiing for sure. The practice field to donut was open and generally in pretty good condition. There were some short stretches that were really good snow conditions. The vast majority was hard packed snow that was definitely squirrely but not yet icy. More challenging than the snow firmness was the lumps and bumps. Some weren't so bad such as the washboard in the donut but there were definitely some speed bumps and shallow ruts else where. But it wasn't roller skiing.

(Ben Mullin)

Conditions: Short man-made loop is good. Northern Lights was rolled. Faster than yesterday.
Only complaint is the speed bumps going down and around the upper doughnut on the man-made. The NL/Thicket was okay. There are some thin spots but I didn't hear/feel any nicks. Cowabunga descent is a little bumpy so use caution. There are reports from the Dark Side (unlighted) which was rolled. That snow was a little faster apparently.

(Mark Lahtinen)

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)