At press time, local ski and snowmobile groups provided the following snow report:
Sugarbush Trail Association
The base on the Onion River Road is holding up fairly well despite the latest thaw. The dusting of snow we received was just enough to freshen up the tracks. The skate lane was reconditioned to make the lower icy section of the road more skier friendly. The rest of the system will require quite a bit more snow before we can do much with it. Rock skis are recommended for anything other than the road, and ski at your own risk. See www.sugarbushtrail.org for the latest conditions.
Gunflint Pines
Shari Baker’s Jan. 7 report: We still have about 12 – 14 inches in the woods, and got 1.5 fresh inches of snow overnight. Most of the ski trails are packed and tracked with a single track and a single skate lane. South Rim is groomed and skiable, but not in its best condition yet. Amperage has been broken open, but we do not feel it is skiable yet. Magnetic is still closed. We have been doing additional work to clear trail and side brush from many of the ski trails. The snowmobile groomer has been as far as Gunflint Lake, and the snowmobile trail has an estimated packed base of 4-6 inches. Many of the smaller lakes have been frozen over for quite a while and are safe for travel. Gunflint Lake froze over late this season, on Dec. 17 and we recently walked out about 60 yards in front of the resort to find 6 inches of ice. We still feel that the lake is not yet completely safe for travel though. Visit www.gunflintpines.com for all of the up-to-the-minute trail news.
Bearskin
Jan. 10 report: “Conditions continue to be good on the trail system. We’ve done a little touch-up grooming in the early morning during the past two days, but the trails really didn’t need much. It’s nice out there. Skiers are reporting many animal tracks and sightings, especially on Poplar Creek. The forecast is for more snow.” For all the latest conditions and the full report, see bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com/
Golden Eagle
Jan. 8 report: “The last two days brought 1.75 inches of snow and the groomers have been out working. On Saturday, Bearskin groomed Lower Beaver Dam, Summer Home Road and Ox Cart and report those to be in excellent shape. Bear Cub was also groomed and is in good shape. Poplar Creek Trail will be groomed today.” For the latest report you can call 1-800-346-2203 or 218- 388-2203.
Lutsen Area
With only a 1-3 inch packed base, groomers report that the best conditions are on Deeryard; Pioneer will ski marginally well. Skating will be difficult. See www.norpinetrails.org for a complete report on ski conditions.
Banadad Trails
Two skiers from Little Falls were the first to ski the entire Banadad this season. The pair started on Jan. 6 from the west end trailhead and skied the 12 kilometers to the Bedew Lake yurts. After spending two nights at the yurt camp they skied the 18 kilometers to the east end trailhead. After completing the trip they stated that the trail was in good shape and they had a great time. For the latest conditions, see boundarycountry.com
Sawbill Trail
Bill Hansen reports Jan. 9: “We are getting quite a few calls from people wondering how much snow and ice we have here at Sawbill. We officially have 12 inches of snow on the ground. The lake ice is 16 – 18 inches thick. I re-groomed our 7.5K classic cross country ski trail yesterday and it is in pretty good condition.” Visit sawbill.com for the most up-to-date information.
North Shore snowmobiling
General synopsis Jan. 9: Snow has diminished on trails, and spurs to downtown areas along Lake Superior are bare. Lakes, on the other hand, are very nice. Along the south shore of most lakes huge drifts and deep powder conditions exist. Make sure the lake you use is safe before going on ice. Check out our suggested trailheads and routes at snowmobiletrails.com
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