Staff reports
The Norpine Trail Association is a new nonprofit organization that was formed in 2009. It is dedicated to preserving and maintaining approximately 57 km of crosscountry ski trails adjoining Cascade River State Park. The ski trails extend along the shore from the Sugarbush Trail system in the Tofte area east to the Hall- Massie loops near Solbakken Resort and to the trails west and north of the Cascade River near Cascade lodge. The trails also extend north via the Pioneer Trail, the oldest cross country ski trail on the north shore, to the Deer Yard lake area trails that are also accessed from the Pike Lake Road. Board members include Bill Blank, Michael O’Phelan, Pete Harris, Pamela Faye, Veronica Weadock, Barb Wolle, and Elger Lorenzsonn.
Users of the trails are required to possess a Minnesota Ski Pass and can then ski them for free. The expense of maintaining and grooming this popular trail system is partially funded by the state DNR Grant in Aid program and the Lutsen Tofte Tourist Association.
In the recent past, the O’Phelan family, owners of Cascade Lodge and Solbakken Resort, have provided the balance of the funding as required and have also been responsible for trail maintenance and grooming of the system. However, in the future, maintaining the trails and grooming them during the ski season can only be accomplished with more volunteer help and contribution.
The Norpine Trail Association was formed to insure that the trails would be available in the future. To help insure that this will happen Norpine Trail Association is urging everyone who uses and appreciates these trails to become a member of Norpine. Money from membership and sponsorship go directly to costs associated with trail maintenance and grooming. The association also needs volunteers to reduce expenses by volunteering for trail clearing and maintenance activities.
Information about the Norpine Trail Association, maps of the trails and a membership application form can be found at www.norpinetrails.org.
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