Washington County Wraps Up ‘One of the Best Ski Seasons Ever’

With a forecast for warm weather, all Washington County Park ski trails will be closed starting Thursday, March 28.

Grooming ended earlier this week on the two trails still open in Lake Elmo Park Reserve, and trail lights will be turned off Wednesday.

After a slow start, the ski season on the Lake Elmo Park Reserve lighted trails proved very popular this season, as well as use of the Nordic Center, which opened to accommodate skiers this year.

“This has been one of the best ski seasons ever,” Washington County Parks Manager Mike Polehna said. “We’ve had a remarkable response from people all over the metro commenting about how great the new Nordic Center and lighted ski trails are.”

The money for the Nordic Center and lighted trails is the result of state funding from the Land and Water Legacy fund.

“People are almost upset we’re closing already,” Polehna said. “But with snow melting and freezing over night the trails are becoming tough to groom, and ski conditions are getting to be unsafe with glare ice at the bottom of some of the hills.”

Preliminary estimates of park use show a dramatic increase in the amount of winter users at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

In 2010, Washington County Parks sold 956 park permits between January and March. Preliminary estimates for this season (January through March 17) show more than 1,100 park permits were sold.

The sale of daily ski passes saw a large increase, according to preliminary data from Washington County Parks.

In 2010, which was the last ski season, Washington County sold 407 daily ski passes January through March. This year, from January through March 17, 1,336 daily ski passes were sold.

Preliminary information also shows the sale of Minnesota Ski Passes at Washington County Parks also increased.

“It’s unbelievable,” Polehna said. “It’s just been crazy.”

Here’s a sampling of ski reports on Lake Elmo Park Reserve from skinnyski.com:

“I counted 80 cars in the parking lots at noon when I left. Like the saying goes in "Field of Dreams", "If you build it they (he) will come!" Lake Elmo has truly built a gem of a ski area and visitor center, and people have noticed! In spite of the high attendance this morning, the trails did not seem crowded.” — John Strand

“Lake Elmo doesn't miss a beat. Arrived at 4:30pm. Got a chance to talk to Kevin Brochman in the parking lot, we skied together for Stillwater in the 70's. We were reminiscing that this is the best it has been this late in the season. All trails had been rolled. It was obviously soft. The winds created whiteout conditions in the open areas but who cares. Skiing every day this time of year? A great workout nevertheless. Thanks again Lake Elmo, great job.” — John Dewall

“This trail system in the East metro is a true gem. The grooming is impeccable for both skating and classic. I was surprised to see very few cars in the parking lot since this is probably one the best times all winter for skiing. I started out around 10 AM with the temperature around 12 on the Brown Loop and encountered a few icy spots in the track. I then skied Eagle Point across the road with the temperature around 20 and the conditions were much faster. I was able to double pole around Eagle Point with very little effort. Everybody that I ran into on the trails were all smiles with the excellent skiing conditions at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.” — Conrad Sanders

According to the traffic counters at Washington County Parks about 11,000 vehicles entered the parks from December through February in 2010 and 2011. In 2012, 26,394 vehicles passed through park gates.

“It shows that people are looking for something to do in the winter,” Polehna said. “A lot of people work during the day and this gives them the opportunity to get outside and recreate at night.”

The end of the ski season means the parks are now in the process of their seasonal transition—and the Nordic Center will be used for yoga classes and other events this spring, starting May 4. The Nordic Center is also available to rent for receptions, weddings, reunions, meetings, etc.

The parks’ campgrounds will be open in a month.

For program information, trail maps and directions, visit the Washington County Parks website.

Park vehicle permits are required on all vehicles ($5 per day or $25 annually) and are available for purchase at the park contact station.

People can also lean more about programs and events at the parks by “liking” Washington County Parks on Facebook, or calling the parks contact station for more information at 651-430-8370.

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