I skied classic at Elm Creek this morning. The trail was still the short version from the practice area, the tracks were well set, I had slow glide but I hadn't rewaxed since Tuesday, I had good kick. They have 9 guns running from the practice area to the flat by the chalet and the groomer is pushing snow around. I talked to a groomer who was headed out on a snowmobile with a groomer towed behind, he said he was going to try the Northeran Lights loop but said it would be posted if it was opened. He said it would be a rock ski adventure.

Photos:

(Tom Harris)

Nice to be out on real snow, plus the snow guns were going in the closed sections! Hopeful that maybe this snow will be enough to roll some other sections.

(Ben Fuller)

Mashed potato conditions on the skating deck as of mid-morning for most of the loop that's open, which is about 0.9 miles. Still skiable, which is wonderful given the conditions. The track looked pretty icy but, again, skiable. The groomers were busy towing the snow cannons around...hopefully a sign they're going to make some of the good stuff again.

(Jason Goepfert)

Conditions were great. We're lucky we can ski in a winter like this! Thank you groomers! Park in the lower parking lot by Bottineau house. No trail access via the chalet.

(Ingrid Leask)

Kudos to the groomers at Elm! I was not excited about skiing this morning, but they turned the rock salt-like substrate into a great, solid fast track. I used Guru 39 and it kicked great! Surprising, hardly anybody out this morning.

(Stan Hokanson)

I found the tracks in good shape for the 1.5 km that is open. Kick was pretty good on the up hills with the skin skis. A sign at the Bottineau House trail access says "open not groomed" but they defenitely were groomed. Thank you groomers. A moderate number of skiers out at 9:30 a.m.

(Mark Basiletti)

Only the south half of the Valley trail is open. Park by the Bottineau house for best access. Tracks were surprisingly solid except by the closed practice area. There are a few icy patches on the south donut and bypass where I had no grip with skins and had to get out of tracks. Skate deck was somewhat soft. B skis due to dirt and leaf litter on the trail.

Photos:

(Mark Oswood)

Deck was firm, great conditions. The groomers have done a great job leveling off the deck and cleaning trail. The south loop is all that is open.

(Mark Lambert)

I skied the back loop this morning from the practice area to whale tail and back. It was icy but could still get an edge. I commend the groomers.

Photos:

(Mark Lambert)

Unskiable, hard packed like cement. Heard later that unable to groom due to lack of snow depth in some areas.

(Larry Myers)