From 7:30-8:30 am I did several laps around the Northern Lights Trails, but I didn't do Cowabunga (aka Thicket Trail). I was very pleased to see that since yesterday same time, the groomers have added quite a bit of new snow to the previously bare areas at the bottom of Cowabunga, along the lake flat, on the two-way trail down to the lake flat, and near the playground. This brings this ~2.0k loop up to B skis from rock skis condition. A couple culverts still have significant gravel showing, and the curved climb from the lake flat to the picnic area is still quite thin. But overall this is a big improvement, and a big thanks goes to the groomers. It looks like they moved a lot of snow. The trails had been lightly dragged several times before I started, so it was great skating. There is still a fairly good classic track from the beach area almost back to the Valley Trail, but otherwise the tracks are poor or nonexistent.

(Ron Refsnider)

I skied Eagle and Creek on the outer loop along with the back stretch of Northern Lights. Most of the trail was good to OK with some pretty big bare spots in both the classic tracks and skate deck. There was quite a bit of leaf debris on the trail and more than the occasional stick. Well worth skiing with caution. Kudos to the groomers for making the snow that we have had last. Hopefully they get more snow to work with soon.

(Greg Loper)

Man made snow trails were recently groomed and in excellent shape. Skied a little on Northern Lights which was not tracked until joining the Lake trail back to the chalet. Northern Lights was a little bare on the hills. Trails had the fewest skiers so far this year that I’ve been to Elm Creek.

(Earl Stabenow)

I went up to classic with my hairies. In retrospect I wish I would have waxed up my Rossis. On advice received in the parking lot I should try Eagle, and Monarch. I was not disappointed. I skied Eagle, Creek, Monarch, and back around to the chalet. I found only a few bare spots in the track. I found the classic only trails better than the combined. TRPD has well marked the trails to keep walkers off, and the signage has paid off. Suprising fun skiing. For classic I recommend the trails dedicated to classic. Thank you for the delightful skiing.

(Craig Schulz)

The man made snow loop was, of course, good. But the natural snow sections were magical with snow sticking to the trees. I was glad I was wearing my rock/B skis in a few sections—particularly on the northern lights loops on the section that goes nearest the lake. But I would definitely go back there and most of the bare sections were avoidable.

(Katharine Woodman-Maynard)

Classic trails are well set and are fast. Good grip using V45 Swix. Some bare spots but are easy to get around. Eagle trail was very nice with just a few bare spots showing. Great day of classic skiing.

(Joe Anderson)

Man made loop skate deck seemed the slightest bit soft but all-around good ski this morning. Lake Trail and Creek Trail were B ski-worthy with occasional thin dirt-snow and grass poking through, especially on the creek trail. I probably won’t ski the Creek Trail again until we get new snow. It was too cold for my phone so no shots of trail conditions. Happy to get out and enjoy the snow we have!

(Gil Ingebrettsen)

Classic skied 15 k today, all on natural snow. Tracks were set and pristine. Unfortunately not all could be used as they were so far to the side that there was no purchase for poles on the outside. To put it in confectionary terms the inside track was like cold taffy and the outside track was like cotton candy. Additionally, there was lots of thorns, brush, etc. lined up with the tracks. The tracks were nice and deep and mostly fantastic, but sometimes too deep, thought I could plant a row of corn.

(Dave Dahl)

Great skate skiing today in the winter wonderland with frost in the trees and even a wee bit of snow or freezing fog falling. Skied the Lake trail and was about 5% faster than last week due to fast snow on Rex blue. They have set classic tracks on the Lake as well as the classic only loops. Track is good in stretches but there is dirt and grass etc. poking through. Track is a little far to the right at times and may require getting out of the track or watching for the over hanging brush.

(Mark Lahtinen)

Skied the 2.5 K man made snow. A few high school and middle school race teams there skiing but not racing. It must have been classic only night for the ski teams as they were double polling in the tracts. Those kids are in great shape! Conditions were excellent for classic. I need to put a little more blue kick wax on cause I was slipping a little on the steep inclines. Parking lot was packed, had to park in the overflow lot across the street. Tubing hill was open.

(Earl Stabenow)