Just in time or Christmas—and cross country skiing—a lot of new snow fell wiping out the bare spots on the ground. Groomers across the county have been out in force setting tracks and making skate lanes for Nordic skiers and where allowed, fat tire bikers.
For a daily update about the 400k of trails in the county, the largest trail system in North America, go to visitcookcounty.com.
. Sugarbush trails:
On Dec. 23 it was reported that, “We received 1½ inches of new snow last night, with more predicted in coming days.
Onion River Road and West Oberg Loop have been recently groomed for skate and classic skiing. Grooming will continue on other trails as conditions permit.
“We want to remind you that the Sugarbush Ski Trails are open to cross country skiing only. Hiking and snowshoeing are available on the Superior Hiking Trail and other areas. Fat biking is available in Cook County and trails can be found by going to superiorcycling.org
“Our USFS warming cabin is open at the Oberg Trailhead. Benches and a wood stove will provide a place for respite. Make sure to sign our guest book!”
. Norpine trails:
The Deer Yard Trails in Lutsen have been rolled. Look to the website for trail conditions for Hall/ Massie, Spucee Creek, and for Cascade on the norpinetrails.org website.
. Bally Creek trails:
Trail report coming soon! This system is 25.0 km track set. 11.0 km skate-ski. All skill level trails. Part of a 196 km ski-through network along the North Shore. There is a variety of cedar swamp, balsam and pine forest to ski through. The trail meanders along a wildlife pond. Ski 17.6km from Bally Creek to Cascade State Park. Maps along trail. MN Ski pass required. For more information, call 387-1162.
. Pincushion trails:
Trail report coming soon, visit pincushiontrails.org. Minnesota Ski Pass required.
. George Washington Pines:
Updated report coming soon! 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. Dog owners need to cleanup after their pets. Multiple use silent sports trail 6.5 miles from Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail; additional SNF info at: www.fs.usda.gov/superior Multiple use silent sports trail 6.5 miles from Grand Marais on the Gunflint Trail.
. Central Gunflint Ski trails:
New Snow Last 24 hours: 0.5” New Snow Last 7 days: 9.125” Trail Base, Staked: Average 5.5” Snow in Woods, Staked: Average 11-13” Groomed with classic track: 68.5 km Groomed with skate lane: 50 km Surface Conditions: Fresh groomed snow. Last grooming day: 12-26-18 Total season snowfall: 33.53” Comments: The ski trails are in great shape – conditions are everything we could ask for during this time of year! We received 7 inches of snow from the storm on Sunday and another 10 to 15 inches is expected through Friday (Dec. 27) morning. We will be continuously grooming all day on Thursday to try to stay ahead of the snow accumulation. We will be back out Friday morning to freshen up the trails and groom in the additional snow from Thursday night. Grooming would of course continue throughout the weekend if it is needed.
For the most up-to-date grooming information, as well as specific trail conditions, contact Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) or Bearskin Lodge (1- 800-338-4170). Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.
. Upper Gunflint Trails:
Snow is slowly coming down – grooming report to follow soon. Upper Gunflint Ski Trail Ski Trail Passes are required. Please support these trails by purchasing the pass at Gunflint Lodge (800-328-3325), Gunflint Pines (800-533-5814), or Heston’s Lodge (800-338-7230). More information can be found at www.gunflint.com/, www.gunflintpines.com/, or http:// www.hestons.com/. Gunflint Pines ski trail report For additional information and ski passes contact Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines Resort, & Heston’s Lodge.
Daily, weekend, weekly, and seasonal passes are available.
. Banadad trails:
Look for updated reports soon! This is the first track on the Banadad Trails this season; we are working to reopen, pack and then we will track the remaining 18 km of the Banadad. We will keep you posted when the entire Banadad is ready for skiing. Additional Comment: The Banadad offers 41 kilometers of intimate classical groomed trails most going through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). The trail system is located in northern Minnesota along the Gunflint Trail and 32 miles inland from the Lake Superior coastal town of Grand Marais. See www.poplarcreekbnb.com. banadad.org/ newsletter or call 218-388-4487.
Leave a Reply