Stopped in for the Nordic Opener on Saturday. Wow, huge crowds! Even the beach parking lot was 3/4 full. The trail has been expanded to 2K -- just missing the final loop down by the bridge. Skiing was still quite good as of 11:30 am, amazing given all the traffic. And great to see so many vendors and demos.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Approximately 2K of trails is open and in good condition. Celebrate cross-country skiing at the Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener on Saturday, December 9th from 9am - 4pm.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

Photos of Elm Creek before it reopens tomorrow for the Nordic Opener. Thanks TRPD!

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

A section of the Valley trail will open for skiers at 5am on Saturday, December 9th. The distance opening is yet to be determined.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

They're making lots of snow and it looks like when they reopen it will be groomed down to the lower doughnut and back for about a 2K loop.

(Mark Lahtinen)

Skied half a loop before calling it. Technically still open until tonight, but wanted to save others the time. No bare spots still, but the track was 100% covered by dirt and debris to the point where glide was extremely difficult. The gooey glaze on the base of my skis after half a K indicates there was plenty of traffic while it lasted. Looking forward to snow making weather.

(Joel LaFrance)

Due to deteriorated conditions, the Elm Creek cross-country trails will be closed as of 9:00pm on Monday, December 4th. The trails will remain closed for a few days as we make snow, with a portion of the trails being reopened by Saturday, December 9th. Closing the trails allows us to rebuild the base that has been lost during the warm period to help ensure trail availability for the remainder of the season.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

The 1K loop from the chalet down to the practice area and around the donut were open. Trail was in good shape considering the weather. Seemed to be some dirt showing through on the corner from the practice loop to the chalet. Lots of people out there getting their winter legs ready.

Photos:

(Scott Greymont)

First time out this season. It was crowded at 9am. I took the wood skis to hold the speed factor down. The track was well used to gone. I stayed off the downhill into the donut and skied loops up top. It was good to stick to the super easy stuff to work basics with the trail so busy. Sure, I missed a few kicks on the gentle uphill. There were some funny looking hops as weight shifted off balance on the flats. Corrections were made. That's the fun of the first trips; find the rust and fix it. Kick wax was Toko Binder hastily applied before skiing. I saw a lot of happy skiers of all ages and abilities today at Elm Creek.

(Jeff Bolte)

SKied around 11 am, crowds had thinned out. Skate lane was getting chewed up, a few icy patches (especially inside lane of the donut downhill). Same 1K loop -- been too warm for any snowmaking much. Still, great to be able to ski in 42F with brown yards all around.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)