
top of Meadows runwith an iced-over
Lake Superior in the background
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Snow Report
Outdoor Activity Status Report
:: 15 April ::
updated Thursdays and after major snowfalls
April has been the snowiest on record for some parts of the shore. Come back in late November when I start next season's report and we're all ready for snow again.
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Hari Kari at Lutsen Mtns
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Lutsen Mountains
1 Apr - closed midweeks; open next two weekends
| Mtns open :: Ullr, Eagle, Moose & Mystery |
| Primary runs open :: 52 of 52 |
| Backcountry runs open :: 37 of 40 |
| Lifts open :: 9 |
| Base :: 30-60" |
| Surface :: packed powder |
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Cross-Country
Ski Trails
(near Two Harbors) Gooseberry Falls State Park ::
Facilities
Skiing miles :: 12 miles
A warming house is located in the visitor's center.
Daily ski passes ($5) are sold at the park office. Annual ski passes must be purchased at an ELS vendor.
Winter camping is available.
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Trail Conditions :: 22 Mar
LOTS OF SNOW and some big drifts have made grooming a challenge this week. The heavy wet snow was to much for our groomer to handle. We have resorted to packing the trails with our snowmobile and trail roller which sets a light single track. It is really beautiful out there. March often brings a mix of temperatures that can create a variety of ski conditions throughout the day as trails warm up and freeze. Over all it looks like great temperatures over the weekend for the North Shore
conditions are GOOD with an 10-24" trail base
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(near Beaver Bay) Split Rock Lighthouse State Park ::
Facilities
Skiing miles :: 8 miles
A warming house is located in the park at the Trail Center picnic area.
Daily ski passes are sold at the park office ($5).
Camping is available at the cart-in campground all year. In the winter, camping may also be allowed at picnic sites closer to the Trail Center building.
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Trail Conditions :: 22 Mar
Lots of Snow with some big drifts. Not groomed but some user skiediin tracks. Do to mechanical issues with the Groomer and the heavy deep snow Split Rock will not be doing any grooming for the rest of this season. Staff and equipment efforts will be put in at Gooseberry where they have more ski trails. Split Rock is a beautiful park to snowshoe with the best shore line of any state park on Lake Superior
conditions are GOOD with an 12" trail base |
(near Silver Bay) Tettegouche State Park ::
Facilities
Skiing miles :: 15 miles
Ski passes are sold at the park office.
Nearby resorts do rent out ski equipment.The park rents snowshoes.
Contact park for winter camping opportunities. Some sites are plowed throughout the winter.
George H. Crosby Manitou State Park
Trails are not groomed for skiing. Backcountry "bushwhack" skiing is great on the Yellow Birch, Matt Willis and Middle Trails. All park trails are open for snowshoeing and are great backcountry hikes.
CAUTION: This park is very remote. Make proper plans before you visit the park
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Trail Conditions :: 25 Mar
The ski trails were groomed on 3/25. Overall the trials are in good condition. Trails that have a south facing aspect can be slushy during mid morning to mid afternoon hours and then become icy later in the day. The snowmobile trails are in good condition. Snowshoes will be very helpful for those headed out hiking.
conditions are GOOD with a 10" trail base
local snow depth is 16" near Lake Superior
and 24" inland
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Flathorn / Gegoka Trail System
| Skiing miles :: 30 kilometers |
Trail Conditions :: early season |
Trails wind around 2 pristine lakes (Flathorn and Gegoka) completely within the Superior National Forest
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7 Mar - no current report
but trails should be in at least GOOD condition
conditions are . . . with an . . ." trail base
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(in Tofte) Sugarbush Trail System ::
Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe Hike
Feb 16th
Click for a trail map
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1 Apr
Good to very good; although the Pisten Bully broke through the base on the lower Homestead and brought up water on the trail for about 20 yards. Frozen granular base. This was the last power till of the season -- enjoy!
conditions are GOOD-VERY GOOD with 8-12" trail base |
(in/near Lutsen) Norpine Ski Trails ::
| Skiing miles :: 57 kilometers |
Trail Conditions ::good to excellent |
The XC ski trails between Cascade River State Park and Lutsen Mountain. This includesDeer Yard loop, Hall-Massie Loops and the various connector trails.
Trail Maps
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22 Mar
conditions are EXCELLENT with a 2-20" trail base
BEST SKIING of the season is right now and everything is groomed. There was excessive drifting in spots, so you may find a few areas where the tracks are filled back in.
Current grooming report
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(in/near Lutsen) Cascade River State Park ::
Facilities
A warming house is available at the trailhead.
Ski passes are sold at the park office.
Winter camping is available. Contact park for further details.
The trail is consistent with the North Shore topography; cliffs intermixed with forest land. All types of wildlife can be seen along the trail.
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30 Mar - CLOSED
Rain and warm weather has deteriorated most of our system. The ski trail base is thin and there bare patches throughout. The trail along Lake Superior is closed to skiing for the season.
If you're looking for a hike or a short walk, trails to the waterfalls are open but are icy. Snowshoers and hikers are reminded to please stay off of the groomed ski tracks.
conditions are POOR with a 0-3" trail base
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(near Grand Marais) Pincushion Mountain Trails
Facilities
A warming house is available at the trailhead. Ski passes are required.
25K of trails within a few miles of Grand Marais
Click for a trail map |
28 Mar
Groomed West Overlook and Pincushion Mtn Loop tonight for skating and classic and East Overlook for skating. Pretty serious freeze / thaw cycle right now. will try ot groom at least one trail daily. Forecast lloks good for full grooming over the weekend.
conditions are GOOD with a 4-8" trail base
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Mid-Gunflint Trails (Bearskin Lodge & Golden Eagle) ::

All trails are tracked for traditional skiing; large portions are also groomed for skate skiing and a section of trails is lit for night skiing. Trails are privately maintained and skiers may purchase half-day, full-day, 3-day, and season passes.
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Trail Conditions :: 21 Mar
The snow continues to fall on the Gunflint Trail! The pine trees are again caked with snow while the wilderness offers photogenic panoramas to any visitor that seeks an outdoor adventure. We received another 2 inches of snow overnight and a total of 7 inches in the last 48 hours! The ski trails have been freshly groomed and continue to offer fantastic skiing, even on the 20th day of March.
conditions are EXCELLENT with an 12.5" trail base
Snowshoe trails are open
Additional Trail Reports
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Banadad Ski Trails :: Connecting the Mid and Upper Gunflint Trail Systems
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The Banadad is the BWCA's longest tracked ski trails at 30 kms;connecting on the west with the Upper Gunflint Trails.
Trail Conditions :: 20 Mar
All 41 kilometers of the Banadad and adjoining trails tracked. Good snow; the trails are beautiful.
conditions are EXCELLENT with a 10" trail base
All snowshoe trails open.
Current Conditions |
Upper Gunflint Trails (Gunflint Lodge & Gunflint Pines) ::
Includes these trails ::
North Star, West End, East End, South Rim, Big Pine, Lonely Lake, Overlook, Ham Lake, Rabbit Run, Highlands, Cut Across, Magnetic Rock, Aspen Valley Power Line |
Trail Conditions :: 20 Mar
Half of trail system was groomed last night (Sunday) the remainder of the system will be groomed today (Monday). We couldn’t ask for better conditions!
conditions are VERY GOOD with an 8" trail base |
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Snowfall at the Banadad Ski System,
off the Gunflint Trail |
Skiing at Lutsen Mountains,
top of Koo Koo run, 16+" of fresh powder |
Cross-country skiing at Pincushion Mtn, heading up to the Snowman Loop, groomed and fabulous |
Snowmobile Trails
(Duluth to Grand Marais & north up the Gunflint Trail)
North Shore State Trail
The trail winds its way through remote, wooded areas behind the bluffs that overlook Lake Superior. From there you can see some of Minnesota's most rugged and beautiful scenery.
TRAIL SNOW DEPTH :: 4-8"
LOCAL SNOW DEPTH :: 12-28"
TRAIL CONDITIONS :: good - very good
:: 28 Mar ::
We have groomed different sections of the trail from Duluth to Grand Marais this week.
There's a 4-7" base from Duluth to Finland and a 7-8" base from Finland to Grand Marais.
We've had warm temperatures in the 40's this week with cooler temperatures at night.
Please be aware that areas of the trail will be icy. Bare spots are starting to occur on corners and rocks are starting to show. Please use caution especially where the trail runs on the 600 Road south of the Sawbill Trail, Cook Co 2 to the Blind Temperance River, this area is very icy. As of today, (3/28) the trail is in good condition, these conditions will change due to use & weather conditions. Please use caution while riding & expect spring riding conditions.
Winter Activities
Here are links to everything you need for your next North Shore visit!
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