Lutsen Area
Pioneer Loop and Ridge Run are packed single tracked and should ski pretty well; the snow gradually deepens into excellent skiing on the northernmost portions of the loop. Deeryard has two classic tracks set on the entire system except short loop. It has about a 5-6 inch average base with the highest snow amounts on the southern portion of the fire tower mountain. A new ski trail entity, Norpine Trails, is now in charge of the 57 km of ski trails running from Cascade River, Deeryard Lake and out to the Lutsen ski area. See norpinetrails.org for all the latest conditions.
Cook County Ridgeriders and Grand Portage Trail Riders
The groomers have hit the snowmobile trails to pack the heavy snow and a good base has been started. At least 14 inches of ice has been measured on Devil Track Lake. There is a snow cover of 10-25 inches: 10 inches along the shore; 20 inches along the ridgeline; and 20-25 inches from the middle to end of the Gunflint Trail. Check the latest trail conditions at www.boreal. org/RidgeRiders/ or call Grand Portage Lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384. Both organizations are also represented on snowmobiletrails.com.
Golden Eagle Nordic Ski Center
Skiing is described as very good at Golden Eagle Lodge, where just over 8 inches of snow has fallen in the past two weeks. The trail base consists of a 3.5-inch average of Snowcat-packed snow, and there is about a foot of snow in the woods. The snowshoe trail is also open. Visit the Golden Eagle website at www. golden-eagle.com for the latest.
Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
All trails have been groomed for classic and skate skiing, and the skiing is described as excellent for classic and good for skating. Thenew snow has set up nicely with just a few soft spots in the skate lanes. Surface is packed powder with just a dusting of new snow. The base is several inches thick so you can use your best skis. The last grooming day was Dec. 28. Go to pincushiontrails. org for more details.
Sugarbush Trail Association
Most trails are leveling out nicely in the skate lane with repeated passes with the snowmobile groomer. Most of the trail is in good condition, however skiers are urged to use caution. A couple steep hills are quite bumpy. There is a packed base of about 8 inches, with a total snowfall this season of 20 inches. Greg Fangel also issues a reminder that the Sugarbush Trail Association will hold its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Lutsen Resort Conference Center. See sugarbushtrail.org for all the latest!
Banadad Ski Trails
Boundary Country Trekking reports that conditions are overall good to excellent, with a snow depth of 15 inches on the east end of Banadad and lesser amounts of snow on the west end. Banadad, Lace Lake and Tall Pines trails are all tracked; there is still some brush showing through the snow, particularly in the west end. Visit www.boundarycountry.com for the latest trail conditions.
Bearskin Lodge
The trails around Bearskin Lodge were used heavily over the last week, but they continue to be in good condition. The area never received the rain that iced over the snow in some other areas of the state. The Gunflint Trail area continues to look like a “winter wonderland” because there are so many snow-coated pine trees everywhere. See Bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com for all the latest conditions.
Leave a Reply