Spent last Fri out on Lake Elmo Park Reserve ski trails. They just completed a beautiful nordic center and lighted trail system.

-commons area with fireplace
-nice basic kitchen you can rent for parties
-bathrooms with lockers and changing rooms
-6 miles of lighted trails (9 miles total in park)
-great place to bring kids with gently rolling loops under 2 miles

Lake Elmo

Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try. Is it similar to the set-up in Maple Grove at Elm Creek?

quote fitgers1: "Thanks for the tip! I'll give it a try. Is it similar to the set-up in Maple Grove at Elm Creek?"

I'm not sure. I have not been to Elm Creek in the winter. I tried looking at their website and something is wrong. It's kind of similar to Lebanon Hills if you have ever been there. No concessions however, just vending machines. Groomed for both classic and skate sking. The first Tuesday of each month is free to get into the park.

I've been out to Lake Elmo a half dozen times now and they are on top of keeping their trails groomed! Great place to ski for all skills! Night time lighting works great and you can 'read' the trails well.

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing this!

Glad you like it! :)

It's also pretty cool to see how "smart and green" the new stuff all is, for those who are into that. The lighting is all LED, running on I believe a 5V circuit (which is easier to run and maintain and safer in addition to using less energy), and run on a timer. As you approach park closing time, the lights will blink to give you a warning, then as you head back towards the trailhead the loops are turned off in sequence, with the farthest out loops first, gradually drawing users in without stranding them suddenly in the dark. The building itself also has some neat features for conserving both energy and water.