I keep thinking I'm done for the season, but a cooler day comes along, and I'm back out there! Let's just say I had a lot of solitude out at Elm this afternoon at 2:00. The classic tracks had transformed, but were still enjoyable with a decent kick and glide with the nowax skis. The skate deck was well used and soft. The whole 2.5 loop was open and still had good coverage. Is this the last day of grooming at Elm -- we'll have to wait and see. Thanks to the Elm Creek groomers for keeping the season alive!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

Tracks were even better today than Friday or Saturday. Deep, firm, and less dirty - the groomers must have found a fresh layer of snow. Thanks! Moderate temps, no wind, sunshine - great morning to ski.

(Barb Woodruff)

Another good day in the tracks. Not only were they freshly groomed but a bonus 2nd track was added that went more than halfway around the snowmaking loop. Thanks again to the groomers!

(Barb Woodruff)

Thanks to the Elm Creek groomers for grooming the classic track today! Way better than Tuesday when the track was solid ice. Now to get a few skaters to follow rule 1 - don't go on the classic tracks unless you're doublepoling. Problem was worse today with skaters going in reverse direction and skiing over the downhill tracks as they went uphill on them.

(Barb Woodruff)

Still grooming. Skiing was pretty good on the Valley this morning. Still fast. Getting dirtier. Getting below freezing the next couple of mornings so should still be good in morning. Classic track looked pretty good.

(Mark Lahtinen)

I went around Elm four times this morning. The well formed classic tracks were a little icy at first, but softened up after the second loop. The skate deck was in really good shape. It was a satisfying last ski of the season. I think I'll finally put the skis away, and get the bike out tomorrow!

Photos:

(Bill Lundberg)

Skied the Valley/manmade between 9:30 and 10:30. It was very good and very fast particularly the classic track when I hopped in and double-poled. The skate lane was a little soft as it hadn't set up much overnight. Did a detour around and up the alpine area one time. Didn't need ear protection like Saturday morning when the snow was crunchy loud. Access is easier as not so much smooth ice as you entered the snow area from the parking lot. Tomorrow could be the last good morning for this season. With the early snowmaking start about 131 plus days of possible skiing this year - 69 natural snow ski days which is right about average.

(Mark Lahtinen)

First review this year, a bit late, I suppose... Skijored the Multi Use starting around 10:30AM with Stevie. Blue wax and slush skis. I drove Boomer; Stevie, LuLu. Timing was perfect, the snow was just beginning to soften and even with no grooming and lots of foot traffic divots, was fast and mostly controllable. Snow cover was surprisingly deep on most of the trail; there were numerous uncovered short stretches we could step around with skis on, the meadow was mostly bare, a long walk carrying skis. Beautiful morning, sunny and warm, no gloves or jackets needed. As we skied, the snow continued to soften until it was slush when we returned to the parking area off of Fernbrook. The doggies were spectacular, pulled hard, Boomer pelting my face with snowballs in deeper snow, Ouch! He's eight years old and LuLu is ten; amazing athletes, they skijored over a dozen times this year and show no signs of wearing out or losing interest. We're so lucky! Probably the last skijoring outing this year unless we get some big snow; what a way to end the season, a fun trip! We'll ski Valley until it closes, I guess; it's been very good lately.

(Steve Evans)

I classic skied from 9 to 10 a.m. today. The Valley trail was groomed with perfect tracks as usual. It was firm and fast but starting to soften as the sun got higher. I did not try the Northern Lights but it looked like a couple skiers had gone that way on the flatter route near the road. There was a barrier at the entrance leading to the big hill. It was a beautiful morning to be out skiing.

(Mark Basiletti)

Skied the Valley and Northern Lights. Some earlier skiers had gone crust cruising which they said was good if you had larger baskets on your poles. I started about 10:30 or so and things had already warmed up and it was slow. Yesterday the break point was about 11:00 when I was classic skiing (skins worked great). Looks like the next couple of days it will warm up early. Plenty of snow still out there...just timing to get some good spring skiing.

(Mark Lahtinen)