At press time, local ski and snowmobile groups provided the following snow report:
Sugarbush Trail Association
The Sugarbush Trail Association reports Feb. 4 that skate lanes on half of the trail system have been touched up after the recent snowfall. East Oberg has been regroomed in an attempt to firm up the base. Conditions are very good. There is a packed base of 20-30 inches, with total snowfall for the season measuring 83 inches; 11-15 inches of snow fell during the last week. See www.sugarbushtrail.org for an update.
Bearskin Lodge
Feb. 5 report: “High temperatures along the North Shore caused a considerable amount of melting yesterday, but luckily for the mid-Gunflint Trail area, it was not nearly as warm here. Our trails are still in excellent shape. Various trails were groomed periodically during the past week, mainly just to keep the trails fresh looking. The whole system, except for a few trails on the Flour Lake side, was groomed again Saturday morning. Those last remaining trails are being groomed Sunday morning. Skiers report great conditions. Moose sightings, as well as many intriguing moose signs – tracks, bedding areas, clumps of moose hair — have been reported all week on Beaver Dam, Summer Home, and Bear Cub trails.
“Slush is appearing in spots on many lake trails, due to the weight of the heavy snow cover on the lakes. (Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean the ice is unsafe, but it can be hard to deal with slush on your skis.) We think colder temps this week could harden up the slushy spots again.” For all the latest, see bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com or call (218) 388-2292.
Gunflint Trail/Cook County Ridgeriders
General synopsis Feb. 8, courtesy snowmobiletrails.com: Conditions are excellent, plenty of snow in all parts of the Minnesota North Shore! Many trails are powder covered and grooming is in full swing. Adds Hungry Jack Lodge: “The snowmobile trails are in excellent shape. Snow levels are pushing close to 3 feet or better here at the mid-Trail area.”
For all the latest trail conditions, listen to the club’s recorded message at (218) 387-9392. 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
With almost-daily snowfalls and weekly grooming, the Lutsen local trails have never been better, according to Steve Bragg. There is a good solid base and fresh powder, making conditions ideal. “Our season is upon us. These are the conditions we have waited for, all too soon it will be over. I’m going riding,” Bragg wrote Feb. 5. The Superior Timber Wolves reported Feb. 6 that grooming on all trails has been done recently, and continues weekly on a “very good base.” The snow is hip-deep next to the trails, and deeper in the woods.
Lutsen Area
Cascade/Deeryard groomer’s Feb. 4 report: “Track setting from Jan. 30 holding very well. Skiing was excellent yesterday, new snow today will not be re-groomed. Skiing should be good to excellent on all trails.” Hall Massie/North Shore trail connectors update: “We set a skate lane on the entire system with our new Kubota machine. Nice wide skate lane set on entire system. Section from Caribou to Lutsen may be slightly soft but track will ski well.” See www.norpinetrails.org for a complete update and for the latest grooming reports.
Banadad Trails
The Banadad was re-groomed Feb. 5 and according to Jim, who did the grooming, the snow-laden brush that has been hanging into the trail is beginning to disappear. Jim went on to say, “The trail is in the best shape of the year.” There is a reported 25 inches of snow on the ground, with a 20-inch packed trail base.
Loading Comments