We got skiing this evening around 5:00 pm and got in just over 13k. I did a mixture of skate and classic. We started out on the outer natural loop, which was somewhat packed and had reasonable coverage, but no tracks and still some thin patches, so definitely B ski conditions. After that, we did a few loops on the man-made, which of course was in good condition. Here the tracks are mostly firm and deep. The skate deck was a bit sugary, but the groomers were out setting new corduroy around 8:00. Despite the beautiful evening of skiing, I doubt I will be back to Elm Creek this year.

(Marcus Bradt)

My dad and I went out to Elm creek about 9am this morning. There was a ski team out classic skiing. There were lots of skiers out. We started on the man-made loop. The snow was nice and firm. Then we went out to Northern lights loop. There were no tracks but enough snow to skate. There were a few spots where the grass was poking through, but we could skate around them. There were less than five people out on Northern lights which was a nice compared to all the people out on the man-made snow.

Photos:

(Elizabeth Loper)

We (family of 4) used the 2.5K Valley Trail which utilizes snowmaking. Trails were well groomed and tracked but slow. Trails were busy and parking lots by the chalet were full (thank god for the shuttle service!). Very cold, so we didn’t stay out for the full hour we’d planned on. Light snow fell the entire time.

(Shane Snyder)

I classic skied this morning and early afternoon. I was mainly on the back natural trails: Creek, Lake, Eagle, Monarch, and Northern Lights. All these trails had been rolled but no tracks were set. I checked a few spots and there was a 1" to 1.5" base. There were some thin spots in the usual places but nothing that couldn't be skied around. The only two spots that I really slowed down for were the Creek Overlook Bypass and the Lake trail by the small bridge just north of the beach. The skate deck looked good and I didn't see any kick through to the ground. I was on the multi use trail for a bit getting between trails and it too looked good although I did see some kick through to the pavement where someone got off the edge of the packed track. A big shout out to the groomers! Now we just need some more snow.

(Tom Harris)

Skied the man-made 2.5K loop. Classic tracks were excellent. Some people were skiing Northern Lights trail which was packed but no tracks set.
Parking lot was full due to the sledding hill opening. However, ski trails had just average traffic. Good kick with my blue wax, not icy.

(Earl Stabenow)

I strided on the Northern Lights and Valley. No track on NL but good snow conditions for striding or skating. No dirt seen and good coverage on NL so good skis probably okay. The Valley was in excellent shape with few skiers at about 11 a.m.

(Mark Basiletti)

Classic on the Valley had a bit of loose snow and not the deepest tracks, but decent kick with grip tape despite the misty drizzle. Skating on Northern Lights was great! While I'd recommend B skis, I did not see any dirt or gravel, even on the climbs. In fact, NL had better glide than Valley! Very nicely groomed although tracks were almost non-existent.

(Pete Thurmes)

Beautiful snowfall and classic tracks with fresh snow made for great kick and glide. Lots of people enjoying Elm creek park with skiing and snow boarding. Trails were active, but not crowded. Some traffic on natural snow trails, but trails were not groomed.

(Earl Stabenow)

The natural snow trails were good. Loose snow and just enough to cover the trail and bridges. Still some ice crusted snow on the sides of Lake and Creek Trail but Northern Lights was pretty good. My adult son did his first freestyle skiing ever and the conditions were great. He only fell a couple times in 12K of skiing. Way to go Elm Creek.

(Michael Darger)

I skied the whole man-made loop. The snow was hard packed and icy in spots. These conditions made it hard to grip the snow at times. It was very windy and cold. They were out grooming Northern lights but there isn't quite enough snow out there to ski it.

Photos:

(Elizabeth Loper)