At press time, local ski and snowmobile groups provided the following snow report:
Banadad Trails
The Banadad is the BWCA’s longest tracked ski trail at 30 km. The trail is best described as a single-tracked intimate trail winding through the BWCA. On the Banadad eastern end is the singletracked 4-km Lace Lake Trail, the 3.2-km Seppala Trail and the 3.5-km. Tall Pines Trail. The eastern end of the trail system connects with the central Gunflint trails and the western end connects with the upper Gunflint trails. As of Dec. 11, the Banadad Trail Association reports, there was 20 inches of snow on the Banadad Ski Trail with a packed base of 14 inches (where rolled). Lace Lake was tracked 6 kilometers, and Tall Pines and Banadad had 11.2 kilometers rolled. For more information check the latest at boundarycountry.com.
Bearskin Lodge
Grooming with the snowmobile was planned across the lake from Bearskin to the Campground Loop Dec. 9 to begin packing down that trail. It will be quite a while yet before groomers dare take the Pisten Bully across the lake, but this is a good early start. Skiers have been out almost every day on the groomed trails and overall they are reporting good early season conditions. Bear Cub, in spite of several packing runs and being groomed with the Pisten Bully, still seems to be a little on the soft side. There’s considerably more snow up there, so it probably will require more packing time. Skiers are generally pleased with Summer Home, Campground, Lit Loop, Beaver Dam and Oxcart Trails at this point. Day by day, an excellent snow base is being built for the rest of winter. For all the latest, see bearskintrailreports.wordpress.com or call (218) 388-2292.
Cook County Ridgeriders
The Ridgeriders report on Dec. 10 that all trails around Grand Marais have been cleared; there is generally an 8-inch base with 2 feet of snow on the ground. All trails have been partially groomed, and grooming is continuing as the snow falls. However, the regular grooming schedule has not yet begun. For more information, listen to the club’s recorded message at (218) 387-9392 or see boreal.org/RidgeRiders. Updated information on the Grand Portage trails may be had by calling the lodge at (218) 475-2401 or toll-free (800) 543-1384.
Golden Eagle
Snow totals for the season are 33.5 inches, so things are off to a good start after last season’s early meltdown (March) and paltry snowfall of just 42.20 inches. See golden-eagle.com for up-tothe minute conditions and groomer’s report, or call (800) 346-2203.
Lutsen Area
Depending on the location, the West End trails have between 6 and 26 inches of snow, with a base depth of 2-12 inches. The groomers report that the Pioneer main loop is skiing excellent, as is Deeryard in most spots. Work is ongoing to open and groom the Hall-Massie and North Shore Trail connectors, which are washed out in many places. Visit norpinetrails.org for the latest conditions and news. The Norpine Trail Association is dedicated to preserving and maintaining the ski trails west of the Cascade River up to the Sugar Bush Trail system in Tofte. This includes Deer Yard loop, Hall- Massie loops and the various connector trails. The trails are used for hiking and mountain biking as well.
Pincushion Mountain Ski Trails
Pincushion received about 5 inches of new snow Dec. 10, and everything has been groomed. Conditions are very good, especially for classic (skating may be a little soft until the cold temps set the skate lanes up). The Pincushion Mountain Trail System is a 25-kilometer silent sport trail system perched high above Lake Superior, 2 miles north of Grand Marais. Go to pincushiontrails.org for the latest conditions.
Sugarbush Trail Association
As of Dec. 13, the Sugarbush Trail Association reports a packed base of 3-6 inches, with total snowfall for the season measuring between 16 and 20 inches. Classic tracks have been set and the skate lanes have been groomed on the following loops: Wood Duck, Piece of Cake, Bridge Run, Hogback, Homestead and Picnic. The connector from Oberg to Homestead has also been groomed for classic and skate skiing. Lower Homestead is quite uneven and needs more snow, but it is skiable (classic). The Moose Fence trails have not been groomed yet. See www. sugarbushtrail.org for an update.
West End snowmobile trails
Jerry the SnoDoc and Paul James of the Tofte Timberwolves report that the local trails are currently being groomed. The Tofte and LeVeaux trails are done and they are working on the Lynx and Gasco trails. Trails near the lake are spotty, however if you go inland about a mile, the trails are excellent. The C.J. Ramstad North Shore State Trail in the Tofte area are groomed and in excellent condition.
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