Surprised to be making first tracks at 8 am, an advantage of living "up north" I guess. Last night's groomers left a great smooth trail and things will only get better if we receive more snow. All skate trails in excellent shape and classic tracks are hanging on, best on the grade.

(Mark Rathbun)

Very good conditions for skating with packed deck everywhere. For the most part, classic tracks were not set. There were a fair number of leaves, but these didn't really affect skate skiing. Plenty of snow and no bare spots, ice, or rocks. Happy to meet groomer Dave Anderson on the trail! This place is a gem, especially for those of us who like challenging hills and turns.

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Great conditions except for leaves in the classic tracks. Not for lack of effort as blower went around but was thwarted by continual breezes. So nice to have warm temps to enjoy the perfectly set tracks. Skating surface looked great also.

(Dean Kleinhans)

Saturday's ski was as good as it gets, many skiers and walkers enjoying the trails. Today's ski found a much firmer surface, but the overnight grooming run did a fantastic job of smoothing out all the tracks and I swear they figured out a way to banish the sticks and leaves from the previous day!

(Mark Rathbun)

Skate skied all of Woodland. Skate deck was really nearly perfect. Firm in most places without being hard. Good enough snow depth that one could use good skis. I think I pole planted into something hard twice in a few hours. Classic tracks looked mostly good on the Poplar loop/easier loops on the west side but largely absent on the expert side east side loops. Thanks groomers for a real treat today!

Photos:

(Jim Carlen)

My late afternoon skate of the outer loop was delightful. Ideal conditions (for me) for my first ski of the year; warm temps on a skate deck with a firm base that is a little soft on top. I find that my downhill speed is as fast as it ever was, uphill, not so much. There was a little tree litter and the screens hit bottom in a couple of very small areas, hence the downgrade to B skis. Refuge Guy just reported in that he and Evolution had just finished their evening run with the medium screens. Conditions tomorrow may be much firmer but should be quite good again for the hardy among you. Keep an eye out for the trail crew who will be out midday tomorrow cutting dead trees along some of the trails. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Some leaf fall otherwise very nice. Classic tracks good. Plenty of up and down and around. Easy trail not for beginners. Weather was perfect, snow soft but well packed.

(Joanne Reinhart)

Babe just reported in that he and new rookie groomer, Little Brother, had just finished their evening, kind of rookie slow, grooming run with the medium screens. Evolution laid down some new tracks for us yesterday. Expect very good conditions for your Saturday ski. If you are wondering why you haven't heard much about DPR(aka Taxi, aka Better-Late-Then-Never) yet this year, it is because he has earned a new nickname; Lefty. He may have ignored the "trails aren't open just yet" message earlier this season and had a bit of a collision with some really hard ground. While he can ski with one good working arm, grooming has proven to be very challenging. Be sure to say hi when you see him on the trail. Enjoy your Saturday ski. It should be a great day wherever it is.

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

Ancient One and Crash made the early morning run with the rollers over our new three inches for your Wednesday skiing pleasure. Expect your ski to be a bit on the soft side. We still put out a B ski rating just in case. They didn't roll over the tracks so folks will be "skiing them in" for now. The Natural is out now making a third pass around the outer 10k and re-rerolling the winter walking trail. Enjoy!

(Dave Anderson, Elk River Nordic Ski Club)

We skied Poplar and there were spots that weren't great in the classic tracks - some grass poking through, occasional dirt, etc. Skate deck looked decent though. Tracks were set on first half, but not after where North Mickey joins back in. We had a great time though getting out for our first time on skis for the season!

Photos:

(Julie Noraker)