At press time, local ski and snowmobile groups provided the following snow report:
Sugarbush Trail Association
The Sugarbush Trail Association reports Jan. 19 that there is a packed base of 12-18 inches, with total snowfall for the season measuring 55 inches; 10-16 inches of snow fell during the past week. Groomers describe the trail conditions as packed powder. See www.sugarbushtrail.org for an update.
Bearskin Lodge
Bearskin’s Jan. 18 update: “We’ve received close to a foot of new snow over the last week, which has been a bit of a grooming challenge. Yesterday we received about 4 more inches. Wind has also been a factor for the past few days. Quinn groomed a lake trail and said that as he looked behind him, he watched his newly groomed trail disappear. Right now it might be wise to choose ski trail routes without major lake crossings. North-South link continues to have an ungroomed section because of a problem on the steep hill down to Aspen Lake. Skiers have made a path down the hill, but we haven’t been able to get equipment down the hill without getting stuck. Choosing an alternative, more sheltered route will be more pleasant right now anyway.” For all the latest, see bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com or call (218) 388-2292.
Golden Eagle
Dan’s Jan. 18 Golden Eagle ski report says, “We were out grooming late last night and finished Red Pines, Cross Fox, Deer Mouse, Moose Ridge, Wolf Point, the Logging Camp on the north and west side of Flour Lake, Ridge Run, Moose Pasture, the upper part of the Beaver Dam and the North South Link from Golden Eagle Lodge to Aspen Lake. Bearskin was out this morning and all trails on their side will be done this morning.” See golden-eagle.com for up-to-the-minute conditions and groomer’s report, or call (800) 346-2203.
Banadad Trails
There was 19 inches of snow on the ground as of Jan. 13, and the packed trail base was 14 inches where rolled. The Banadad was retracked Jan. 12; Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Knapp were tracked Jan. 10. For more information check the latest at boundarycountry.com.
Gunflint Trail/Cook County Ridgeriders
Sky Dan’s Jan. 18 update: “The snowmobile trails in the Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail area are in excellent condition. There has been an abundance of fresh snow starting late last week and again Monday morning. The trails have a solid 20- to 24-inch base with over a foot of fresh snow on top of that. All trails are being groomed on a regular basis to put them in perfect condition. The trail traffic has been light but a lot of fishermen were using them to hit the hot trout lakes last weekend. Colder temperatures kept many people off fresh power trails Friday and Saturday.
“Many area lakes will have deep powder riding for quite a while. The state trail to Grand Marais is in excellent shape with good snow to navigate to your destinations around town. The route on the south side of Highway 61 going west is available for use to access businesses up toward Gunnar’s Restaurant. The ‘G’ and ‘X’ trails heading north towards Poplar Lake are fresh groomed and in great shape too!”
Updated information on the Grand Portage trails may be had by calling the lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384.
West End snowmobile trails
The Superior Timber Wolves report Jan. 16 that all trails have been recently groomed, and all are in excellent condition.
Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
Jan. 19 report: The Pincushion trails received about 18 inches of snow since last Friday. The trails were completely re-groomed and power tilled with the Pisten Bully over the last two days. Classic skiing is excellent and skating is good. Skating will improve over the next couple days as the colder temps firm up the skate lanes. Excellent mid-winter conditions now! Go to pincushiontrails.org for the latest conditions.
Lutsen Area
Groomer’s Jan. 14 comments: “We will be grooming the section from Cascade to Lutsen including the Hall/Massie loops this afternoon/evening. When complete, we will file a full report at www.norpinetrails.org. But the Deertracks and Whitesides loops are groomed.”
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