Closed. There is no longer a continuous loop. We started the season over 100 days ago and it was big fun while it lasted. As we do at the end of each season, we will leave you with the Trail Crew motto: Woodlands -- built by skiers, groomed by skiers, for skiers. Until next year. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

There is a little skiing left for the very, very desperate. The city plowed most of the paved trails today, but we asked them to preserve access to the outer loop from the start trail around to the biathlon range. From the range you can lap (about 7km) by heading south on the grade or get back to the start by going backwards on the start trail from the grade. It was good while it lasted.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

We have suspended grooming for the time being. By the looks of the forecast, it will be transition skiing for a while, with icy conditions to be expected when frozen. The Prairie Loop will burn through very soon and should be avoided. B skis recommended for ice and the snirt from dust on the east end trails by the aggregate mining. With the high sun angle this time of the season, warm temps during the day followed by freezing at night can turn a lot of hard work into ice in a hurry. Ancient One and Shear-Pin scratched up the outer loop this morning so Wrong-Way could have at least one more decent early morning ski. It has been a great winter at Woodlands for both skiing and designated trail winter walking. We started this ski season over 90 days ago. It has been a long time since that has happened. While not all of the ski days in between have been great, most were. If this is the end of groomable snow, we finished the season is style with great conditions for yesterday's biathlon race and good, but slow, conditions for today's youth ski league race. On the fun-o-meter, this winter may have been close to the best ever. Thanks to all of our ski friends old and new who shared in the fun. You are the reason we do what we do. Twenty-two different groomers helped us along the way this season. These are normal folks by day who answer the grooming call no matter what day or what time they are needed. This season, they drove the Skandics over 3000 miles for our skiing pleasure and never had a shift that didn't fill. The Woodlands Trail Crew is absolutely amazing, with winter grooming being only about half of their year-round effort to help the City of Elk River make Woodland Trails Regional Park such a special place and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their effort and dedication. Stay tuned?

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

There was frosty conditions that greeted skiers this morning. The heavy screen work last evening did a fine job loosening up enough snow to be able to control downhills and get an edge almost everywhere. Other than a few expected bare spots around prairie loop this is a fun way to spend Leap Day! Classic tracks are not likely to be much fun as they are icy where they exist. Top of the World to you!

Photos:

(Dean Kleinhans)

The heavy screens did make for a skiable trail at 8:00 this morning. If you have a opening in your schedule later today and you catch the snow transition you well be treated to the best Woodlands has to offer. Enjoy it while it lasts.

(Robert Bullis)

Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies! It’s shaping for what should be a great Saturday morning ski at Woodlands. Ancient One and the Natural were out this afternoon pulling the Godzilla screens four times around Scouring and Wash Pond for tomorrow’s 11am Biathlon race. Refuge Guy and Evinrude are out now quad passing the rest of the outer loop for your Saturday morning skiing pleasure. Expect lickety-split conditions with plenty of scratched up base for edging, with only a few slick spots on the sunnier slopes. Ski with appropriate caution on your first lap. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

We pulled screens at night to set some profile in the trail. With the current weather patterns the trail has once again went from soft to very firm. Watch the temps and time your trip and you will be treated to the some of the best Woodlands has to offer. The tree choppers well be out Sunday morning making their last run for the season.

(Robert Bullis)

What a great evening ski at sunset today. Photo shows it all from Top of the World. Trail was groomed last evening and is nice mix of some fast areas with loose top for easy edging. Thought it might get a bit mushy with temps in 30's but the skate deck was great. Classic tracks looked good also, so good I will bring the waxable classic skiis tomorrow.

Photos:

(Dean Kleinhans)

Lots of snow, good grooming, great temperature, and no people. Best skis are no problem, though it still is a bit soft. Wonderful trails, we'll kept; this place is a treasure. Support it.

(Tony Pellegrini)

Just might be time for Ancient One to retire? He scheduled 3 groomers for Saturday and the only one for tonight. Luckily Chainsaw stepped in to cover and groom with DPR. They pulled the light screens. Pre-thaw skiing should be plenty good on Friday. With many heading across the boarder tomorrow, the next screening is planned for Saturday evening. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)