Bearskin Lodge
On its website, the staff of Bearskin Lodge says Dec. 20: “The flurries this morning gave us a glimmer of hope. Maybe we’d get the snow we need for a fully functioning trail system.” However, only a dusting was received, and only the Campground Loop and Summer Home Road have enough snow to ski; both are groomed for skate skiing and do not have any tracks yet. To expand the skiing options, the staff has groomed all the way into the north arm of the lake where it turns into the BWCA.
Cascade Lodge
As of Dec. 22, all trails were packed with roller, but the system was not ski-able unless you were trying to rock ski on the upper side of the Massie/Hall loops. No tracks are set. “The roller coaster weather ride happening on the North Shore continues…..it finally feels like winter up here after November set a record for warmest average high temps,” says the lodge’s blog. Visit www.cascadelodgemn.com for more.
Cook County Ridgeriders
and Grand Portage Trail Riders
Both organizations are represented on snowmobiletrails. com, which reports lakes are freezing over and trails are being prepared, but it’s not a good idea to venture forth. The state trail from Finland to Grand Marais has had its gates opened as of Dec. 17, and the trail has been cleared. Everything is ready for a big snowfall. Conditions are still described as “poor.” Check the latest trail conditions on the snowmobile club’s website at www.boreal. org/RidgeRiders/ or call Grand Portage Lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384.
Golden Eagle Nordic Ski Center
Staff has been packing trails for a couple weeks, and tracks are now down on a portion of the west end Logging Camp, Wolf Point and through the Flour Lake campground. Ice measurements show 10-12 inches on Flour Lake. New snow over the past week totaled 5 inches, bringing the month’s total to 11.5 inches. For the latest snow report, call (800) 346-2203 or visit the Golden Eagle website at www.goldeneagle. com.
Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
Grooming has begun at Pincushion Mountain, where 15-20 km of trails are open with 1-2 inches of a packed powder base. “Some trails will be poor to fair and others should be good to very good,” reports pincushiontrails.com on Dec. 21. As much as 6 to 8 inches of new snow has fallen on some sections.
Sugarbush Trail Association
Groomers have rolled the Onion River Road and lower Oberg Trail after receiving a few inches of lake effect snow. Rock skis are recommended. Stay posted at www.sugarbushtrails. org.
Banadad Ski Trails
Boundary Country Trekking reports that there is about 9 inches of snow in the woods, and a compacted base of 4-5 inches on the trails. “The Banadad Trail from the east end trailhead to Lizz Lake portage (2.5 km) is very good to excellent tracked skiing,” www. boundarycountry.com. Also, Seppala and the west side of Tall Pines Trails tracked fair skiing, and the rest of the trail system is awaiting more snow to track.
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