Skied classic and skate at Elm around noon. Man-made loop is still only 1.9 km. Classic tracks on the man-made loop were pretty good, a little uneven due to the sleet/slush that was falling. I was on skins but still slipped a bit on the hills (that may be me though, I haven't skied classic in two years due to a foot problem that has finally been resolved). Skating was what I'd call "great for me" conditions. Skate deck was pretty firm and that layer of sleet/slush gave enough purchase for me to hold an edge and get some good glide. The snow was fast. I was putting in race-pace laps on zone two effort.

(Leif Irgens)

Perimeter trails were in poor to fair condition - anything on asphalt had a thin sheet of ice on it, anything on natural surface was packed with occasional dirt and plants showing through beyond the snow making loop. It was low to mid 30's and overcast. I struggled to find the connection from Valley to Lake and Creek. But once I found it I had a pretty good skate except for catching my ski's shovel in the loose snow on the side of the trail and going down on a curve on the ridge-top portion of Creek. While Lake and Creek were much better packed than Cleary was yesterday and thus faster, the downside was the occasional dirt and weeds showing through but nothing that was not easily negotiable. I used Fastwax Red HF which was okay on the wetter portions of the trail but it was slow on the dry snow of Northern Lights. For a holiday, patronage was pretty light. Was able to park in lot next to chalet despite arriving after 3:00.

(Keith Carlson)

Thanks to the Elm Creek staff for their continued great grooming and they had all the snow guns going this morning. I started before sunrise and skied 2 hours on the outer loops and one lap of the mint condition man-made loop. I entered and exited the outer loops from Northern lights. I was surprised how good the outer loops were - mostly firm as it set up well. Just a few thin spots and I saw one rock that I put sticks around to call attention to it. I used B skis and was glad I did.

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(Kevin Ousdigian)

I classic skied at Elm Creek this morning. The gerbil loop was in good condition with almost no leaves in the tracks and the skaters were flying around. The Northern Lights loop was packed but not tracked, except where it follows the paved trails it was ok for B skis. The Lake / Creek loop was also packed not tracked and again except for pavement ok for B skis. The Eagle loop (classic only) was not groomed. The parking lot was about half full with lots of room on the gerbil loop. I didn't see anyone while I was on the back loops.

(Tom Harris)

At open (5 am) I was the lone soul out skiing and the conditions were fantastic considering the temp in the mid 30's. Glad I got out and skied 14K.

(Lee Goldstein)

40 degree and very windy (the west wind was an assist on the big hill!). Skate deck fairly firm and fast. Tracks set but collecting leaves. A few bumps and furrows on the straight away and turn past the Bottineau house due the heavy grooming equipment on a soft base-inevitable, and better those than no grooming. Considering the weather, groomers are doing amazingly job giving us some fine early season skiing. Some new corduroy was being set as I was leaving.

(Matthew Kramar)

Saturday morning laps at Elm Creek. Hit the trails mid-morning, hills were getting chewed up but the rest of the course was nice. As the morning progressed and the temps rose, the snow speed started to slow. Plenty of coverage still, and while fairly busy it was not crowded.n Lower donut awaiting snow.

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(Bruce Adelsman)

The Elm Creek cross-country ski trail will be closing tonight at 8pm and will reopen on Friday, Nov 22nd at 2:30pm. We are going to use this period of cold temperatures to make snow and fortify the existing trail. The goal is to build upon the trail so it can withstand an extended forecast of warm temperatures. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

(Bruce Bolduan, Three Rivers Park District)

Matt Liebsch, Jake Ellingson and I had the trails all to ourselves this morning. I think the rain south of Maple Grove scared people off but it was snowing at Elm with about 1/2 inch of fresh snow on top of a firm deck, which made for pretty fast skiiing with the right boards under your feet. Track is dirty but it is really just ground up oak leaves for the most part, so no concerns about damaging skis. I would make sure to clean your bases after skiing though!

(Evan Pengelly)

Still 1.9k of tracks and skate trail. Tracks were being trashed by skiers who haven't seemed to learn respect-the-track etiquette yet. Classic skiing was OK but a little icy and/or loose. Skating was excellent in the evening - very fast, not mushy, just loose enough for good control despite being very slippery. Really fun skiing!

(Pete Thurmes)