Great on the 2.5km man-made loop this morning, maybe a little firm for some. I did some back to back hot laps and managed 6 laps in 38min flat at 158bmp average so nice L3 workout. I had to get to work and sell skis before the snowstorm, so quality over quantity for me this year so far. Jeremy Hecker cut me a new test structure on my trainers and I put on one quick layer of G41 - seemed plenty fast.

Photos:

(Matt Liebsch, Pioneer Midwest Ski Shop)

The complete valley trail is open and this morning with warm temps brought a firm classic track and perfect klister conditions. Chances are klister will be of little use soon.

(Jim Smith)

2.5K is finally open at Elm Creek. Classic skied and the tracks were in great shape. Excellent conditions on the skate deck as well. LNR were doing intervals with Caitlin Gregg and not many people were out. We are so spoiled to have these manmade loops in the Twin Cities.

(Scott Cummings)

The lower donut/bagel is now open and skiing was very good. The loop is just under 2.5 K. Looks like they're working on Wayne's Spur (bypass just north of the wall climb) which will add another 120 meters or so.

(Mark Lahtinen)

I skied the 1.9 km loop 4X tonight. The skate deck was great and the hills were choppy which I expected from all the skiers this weekend. If you want to avoid crowds Sunday evening at 5:30 p.m. is a great time to go. I skied by myself the majority of the time.

(Beth Hedlund)

As expected, the trail is in good shape and the hills were sugar. 5:53 on some 2004 Fischer Skatecuts. Felt like playing Pacman until about noon. Overflow parking lot was almost full.

(Jay Wenner)

I skied the 1.9km loop today. It was my first time on skis for the year and it was great. I arrived at Elm Creek at 9am, the main lot was basically full. I'll probably arrive earlier than 9am on weekends in the future to avoid crowds. By the time I was done the secondary lot was half full. The conditions were great, they have done a good job making snow for the loop. The two big uphills were pretty choppy but that's to be expected with all the skiers.

(Beth Hedlund)

My daughter and I gave up waiting for natural snow and checked out Elm Creek today. We were treated to a nice firm skate deck, good glide, small crowd and about 2k of trails. Thanks Elm Creek!

(Mike Flynn)

Trails are in great shape with just the lower donut/bagel left to do. Being too late to wax I used skins after sliding the binding back a notch and ... Eureka? There was glide, what a concept! I was going to do a hot lap but I forgot the hour glass (or was it the sun dial)? Anyway they seemed like hot laps to me in my current condition.

(Mark Lahtinen)

Skied a hot lap of the full loop in 5:06. Skate deck was firm but the hill coming up to the stadium was getting a bit sugary by the end of my ski.

(Zack Danielson)