I skied classic on the Yellow, Orange, and Green trails early Wednesdy afternoon. The deck looked okay but well used to the point of flat. Good skis would be in order there. The classic track condition varied considerably from solid, deep track to just a hint of track. I saw bare ground more than a few times. Its close to ready for good skis in and out of track as needed. To make a full depth track from a hardened trail, which we have now, the till has to be three inches deep. That's not good at any time. With a towed grooming tool, the result is loose kibble, not packed powder, and huge set up time. Damage to equipment is also a risk this early in the season. So accept the variable track as is and enjoy it! The somewhat stiff tipped rock/B skis jumped the less than full depth track on a downhill turn on the Orange. I was the second skier off trail in the unbroken snow. Downhills on the flattened deck were a little slippery. Any other turning downhills were skied on the deck. Uphill climbs on the deck were without slide outs. The Green trail had the best track. It's a simple fix for classic: more snow and less direct sun is needed. As I was leaving, a bus load of young skiers had arrived around 3:15 pm.

(Jeff Bolte)

All trails at Lake Elmo have been groomed this morning. Track has been set on the east side. No tracks on the west side as the base is too thin.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

All ski trails groomed at Lake Elmo today. Due to the blowing snow there are a few bare spots. No tracks set.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

Great coverage on 99.9 % of east loops, just a few bare spots that can be easily stepped around. Tripped on quite a few leaves. Really nice system with lovely Nordic Center and no crowds. Don't go, you won't like it...

(Natalie Griffith)

Skated the east side trails. Excellent grooming- and fast skate deck. Observed very shallow classic tracks in places. A skaters dream but not for classic folks.

(Arnold Funkenbusch)

Lake Elmo's east side has been groomed this morning. The skate deck looks good. There are a few icy patches and bare spots that are easily avoidable.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)

Eagle Point trail was in good to very good condition at my noon start. It was 38 degrees and sunny. The trail has been groomed since Sunday and generally had a good skate deck except for occasional dirt, roots at the point where the spur off the multi-use trail makes its final turn west and some inconsequential snowmobile or snow cat tracks on portions of the west and southwest ends. I used FastWax Red HF, which performed pretty well given the temperature.

(Keith Carlson)

Trails have been groomed this morning. East trails are in good condition, hard packed but with soft corduroy. West ski trails are in fair condition with debris. The reroute portion on the red trail has been reported as poor but passable. No tracks have been set.

(Carolyn Friedrich, Washington County Parks)

Skated the entire perimeter of the east-side trails. They were in very good condition. Packed and complete coverage - no bare spots. Just a little vegetation sticking through at the top of the hill on Northern Lights. No classic track. It was sunny and 32 degrees. I used FastWax Red HF.
Six days into my 2019/20 season and my fourth time out, I've already hit my personal standard of skating 10 k/hour. Admittedly, I was really tired as I hit Bur Oak to complete the circuit. Once again kudos to the Lake Elmo groomers.

(Keith Carlson)

All trails in Lake Elmo packed today. No tracks set. Good coverage. East side is in better shape than the west side.

(Theresa Young, Washington County Parks)