Just under 2k is open, and of course with impeccable conditions (except a few sections of track with leaves, but blame Mother Nature for that). Grip tape was perfect at 40deg with glazed, super-fast tracks on the descents, but enough loose stuff on the climbs for adequate grip.
Get out there and enjoy the rarity of mid-winter conditions (if not trail length) in mid-November!

(Pete Thurmes)

Three Rivers opened another section last night down and up the main hill. Maybe 2 or 2.5 km in total now. Trail was running reasonably fast, level, and in overall excellent condition at 7-8AM today. Tracks looked deep and firm. Perhaps 20 folks out. I got that familiar sense of first tracks envy as I showed up and folks were already packing up and heading home....

(John Holton)

Drove by and saw that the next part of the manmade is now open and lots of skiers out. Down to the start of the lower donut...approximately 2Ks now.

(Mark Lahtinen)

Skated at Elm this evening starting around 6:30 pm. Still just 1.3 km open - the keyhole through the lesson area. Skate deck was pretty fast but soft enough that even technique challenged skiers like myself could hold an edge. The issue with the leaves from Tuesday is mostly resolved. Only a few leaves on the keyhole climb now and none to speak of over the rest of the loop. From what I could see, the rest of the manmade loop is covered with snow. I saw groomers working the area this evening. Based only on appearance, it would seem they would be able to open the rest of the loop soon but I guess that will depend on what happens weather-wise over the next few days...

(Leif Irgens)

Skied around 2 pm today, surprised to find nearly 30 skiers out! Standard opening course -- donut down to the practice area. Groomed nicely, with spots of "litter" (leaves) from Mother Nature and a section next to the chalet that I'm gonna refer to as the Berlin Wall (fallen). Plenty of snow, good skis just fine. Nice to be back on skis, and so early! Some huge piles (over 6 feet in places) pending grooming seen over parts of the unopened trail.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

Good skiing. The usual short loop was open. About 10 skiers out there when I arrived. There were a couple of short stretches that had a little cottage cheese effect. The blowing snow from the snow guns made for slow snow in the practice area and near the trailhead. There were a lot of leaves in the classic track going to the practice area. Might be somewhat due to the early start which beat last year by a week. This may be the earliest I've been on groomed tracks going back 40+ years (have to check the old training logs). Even in '91 after the Halloween Storm groomers weren't ready for awhile. About 20 skiers when I left.

(Mark Lahtinen)

Just talked to the groomers and we will be opening the first section (from donut to lesson area) on Tuesday, November 12th at noon. Equipment rentals will be available starting Friday, November 15th.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

Snowmaking continues. Snow is covering the course from the practice area up past the chalet and onto the donut loop. Lots of big piles, most of it not pushed out yet. Crews were out working when I stopped by around 11:30 am.

Photos:

(Bruce Adelsman)

They're making progress since yesterday. They started blowing in the upper doughnut (none there yesterday). With the record or near record cold through the next 12 days or so maybe we'll be skiing in a week.

Photos:

(Mark Lahtinen)

Elm has started making snow! Can still rollerski around the snowed in trails on the road. No tracks set and the skate deck needed some evening out but for November 5th it's awesome!

Photos:

(Artie Huber)