Let’s see, in one week we had a couple of days where it rained, and temperatures almost hit 40F, then the mercury in the thermometer plummeted, in places, into minus 20 below readings and stayed there like an unwelcome house guest for several days. All in all, hard weather for people, birds, and animals to adjust to, and hard on the cross country ski trails. Still, lots of new snow and some great groomers have put the cross country trails back into excellent shape for Nordic skiers. Skiing across the northland should be glorious, just make sure to dress appropriately if the thermometer dips into the negative temps again.
. George Washington Pines Trail: The Forest Service groomed the trail on Jan. 12. The path is in good shape. Most icy sections are now covered with packed powder. The trail is shared between cross country skiers, snowshoers, and people using dogs for skijoring. For those who are snowshoeing, please do not walk on the groomed crosscountry ski tracks.
Additional SNF info at www.fs.usda.gov/superior
. Sugarbush Trails: This report is from Jan. 16. We received four additional inches of new snow yesterday, and it was falling into the evening. The fresh snow has been rolled on all of the trails. Onion River Road section of the trail was groomed for skate and classic skiing along with the west Oberg Loop.
Britton Peak trails, Moose Fence, and Picnic Ridge were rolled. For skiers using the Oberg trailhead, remember that our warming cabin is open and we’d love to hear from you in our guest book. Stay warm and safe out there! Groomers update our trail report page at www.sugarbushtrail.org/ski_trails.php when they have completed grooming. Check our website for more detailed information: sugarbushtrail.org MN Ski Pass required.
. Central Gunflint Ski Trail system: The Central Gunflint Ski Trail system received a healthy dumping of 5 inches of new snow on Thursday, Jan. 13. Both groomers were out there right away and got to work; all trails have been re-groomed. A large dumping of snow like that is extra helpful in leveling out some of the more uneven trails. The skiing is awesome right now. If you thought it was great before, you should see it now!
For the most up-to-date grooming information, as well as specific trail conditions, contact Bearskin Lodge (1- 800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203). Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.
. Upper Gunflint Trails: All the trails have been brushed, cleared, and packed. Gunflint Pines is placing trails as snow continues to provide for a good base. Dress warm and see you out there!
The 40 miles of the Upper Gunflint Ski Trail system are maintained by the Gunflint Lake Trails Group, and we require an Upper Gunflint Trail Ski pass for usage. Funds raised from these passes pay for land lease fees, and grooming expenses. Passes can be purchased at Gunflint Lodge (218-388-2294), Gunflint Pines Resort (218-388-4454), and Heston’s Lodge (218-388-2243). All of these resorts are located on the South Gunflint Lake Road. Daily, weekend, week, and seasonal passes are available.
. Banadad Trails: The skiing is excellent! All of the 41K Banadad Trail system trails are tracked. There are 19 inches of snow on the ground with a compact base of 16 inches. Both west and east end trails are tracked. On January 15 the Lace Lake, Tall Pines, and Knapp trails were re-tracked.
. Bally Creek Trails: Bally Creek Trail system is groomed and in good shape. There are lots of wildlife signs on the trail, including a moose kill on the Bally Creek Pond, and lots of wolf tracks, so if you are snowshoeing on the spur trail or skijoring trail, please oversee your dogs. There are 7 inches of new snow with a base of 15 inches and a snow depth of 22 inches. This system is 25.0 km track set. 11.0 km skate-ski. All skill level trails. There are a variety of cedar swamp, balsam and pine forests to ski through. The trail meanders along wildlife pond. Ski 17.6km from Bally Creek to Cascade State Park. There are maps along the trail. MN Ski pass required. For more information, call 387- 1162.
. Sawbill Campground-Tofte: Recent snow added to the already great trails base we have. Classical skiers are enjoying the skiing on Sawbill Lake and the surrounding area.
. Pincushion Mountain: Updated Jan. 7. We received 2-4 inches of new snow last night following the usual gradients, less on Pincushion Mountain and higher amounts up on North Advanced and Lynn’s Loop. Chris O’Brien was out early this morning and did what he could with the stadium. It is very windblown and scoured, so there is minimal snow. All trails in the system were Pisten Bully and Ginzu groomed. The trails were compacted, and all received new classic tracks. Conditions are excellent, although we still don’t have enough snow to do any serious conditioning. We’re hoping for some additional snow to allow us to do some grading and tilling, but that will have to wait. Conditions are good! pincushiontrails.org Minnesota Ski Pass required.
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