Snowmobiling on Rainy Lake
Many areas throughout the state now offer good cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions!
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Northeast Region
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
Scenic State Park ski trails are covered in 4 inches of snow, and conditions are considered fair. These trails will not be groomed for skiing this year. The snowmobile trails remain in poor condition. Closer to Grand Rapids, the Cow Horn Road ski trail running through Golden Anniversary State Forest has been groomed, and conditions are reported to be good. The trails have a 4 inch base on average. The ground is covered in 8 inches of snow in this area. In other areas of Itasca County, the Greenway Snowmobile Club has been out packing the trails and bogs, and removing debris. They hope to roll the trails later this week.
International Falls
The Koochiching State Forest Tilson Creek Ski Trail has been groomed, with reports of fair to good conditions along numerous skate ski trails.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, approximately 47km out of the 70km of trails of the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System are groomed with a skate lane and classic track. On average, the Central Gunflint ski trails are in good condition with a 3 inch base. Similar snow amounts and conditions are reported for some of the other Gunflint Trail ski trail systems.
Northwest Region
Lake Bronson/far NW corner
The Lake Bronson State Park snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, but conditions are considered good. These trails have an 8 inch base. Local snow depth is nearly 1 foot. The lake is covered in more than a foot of ice. Nearby, the snowmobile trails within Old Mill State Park are also ungroomed, however, conditions are reported to be fair. The trail base measures 6 inches on average. Roughly 11 inches covers the ground in this area.
Bemidji
The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are packed but need more snowcover for tracking to begin. Conditions are described as poor. The snowmobile trails, however, have been groomed, with good conditions reported. These trails have a 4 inch base. Area snow cover is 6 inches.
Walker
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is partially groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures roughly 2 inches. Snow cover is 8 inches in this area.
Lake Itasca, north of Park Rapids
Park staff continue to pack the trails at Itasca State Park. The packed ski trails are reported to be in fair condition with a 1.5 inch base. The snowmobile trails remain in poor condition. Roughly half a foot of snow covers the ground in this area. Riders report fair conditions for the western portion of Heartland State Trail. The trail is groomed, and has a 2-3 inch base. Snow cover measures roughly 8 inches along the trail in this area. Nearby, the snowmobile trails running through the La Salle Lake State Recreation Area are also considered to be in fair condition. These trails have 3 inch groomed surface.
Central Region
McGregor
Conditions for skiing within Savanna Portage State Park are considered fair. The trails have a 1 inch base after being rolled. The snowmobile trails remain closed and dangerous due to open water areas. Local snow depth is approximately 5-6 inches.
Pelican Rapids/Ottertail/Battle Lake
Maplewood State Park is covered in 9-10 inches of snow. The ski and snowmobile trails have a 2 inch ungroomed surface, and conditions are considered fair for both. Additional snow will be required for track-setting and full grooming to begin. At nearby Glendalough State Park, conditions are reported to be very good for skiing. The trails are packed, but will remain untracked until the next significant snowfall. The trail base measures 1-2 inches. Roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground. Four heated camper cabins, two heated yurts and skis are available to rent.
New London -north of Willmar
All ski and snowmobile trails at Sibley State Park have been groomed, conditions are reported to be fair. Both trails have a 2 inch base. The sliding hill is well covered and ready for sleds. Approximately 7 inches of snow covers the ground at Sibley.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Monticello -north of Buffalo
Some of the Lake Maria State Park ski trails have been packed and tracked, with good conditions reported. The trail base averages 2 inches thick, with roughly 5 inches of snow on the ground. Ski-in camper cabins, secluded log cabins with wood stoves, and snowshoe rentals are available within the park.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
The Valley Trail and Lesson Area cross-country ski trails at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove are packed, tracked and in good condition for classic and skate skiing. A number of ski trails with man-made snow at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington are packed, tracked and in good condition. The natural snow trails are packed and in mostly fair condition. Rentals are available. For the most current trail conditions for these and other Three Rivers Park District parks, check out Three Rivers Park District Ski Trail and Sliding Hill Conditions.
St. Paul
All ski trails running through Fort Snelling State Park are groomed and in very good condition. The trail base measures 2 inches, and local snow depth is 4 inches.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Northfield
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park ski trails are unpacked and in fair condition. The base of the trails measures roughly 1 inch. The snow pack has condensed to 6 inches in this area.
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park is covered in 10 inches of snow. All 9 miles of trails are groomed, and conditions are reported to be fair. The trails have a 2-3 inch base. The sledding hill has been packed, and it is running fast.
Preston
The Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails are reported to be in good condition for classic skiing and for snowmobiling. The ski trails have been groomed. Roughly 6 inches of snow covers these trails, with approximately 9 inches of snow on the ground.
Fairfax - northwest of New Ulm
Fort Ridgely State Park snowmobile trails have been groomed. A 3 inch base covers these trails, with 5 inches of snow on the ground. Snowmobile riders report fair conditions.
Marshall
Roughly 8 inches of snow covers the ground at Camden State Park. While the trails have not been groomed, park staff report good conditions for skiing and fair conditions for snowmobiling. These trails have a 4 inch base on average. Trails within the park will not be groomed this winter. Snowshoe rental is available.
Luverne
Blue Mounds State Park staff report that the snowmobile trails are currently in good condition with a 4 inch base, although the trail has not yet been groomed. Please note that rain is in the forecast for Sunday, and the trails are expected to deteriorate rapidly.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or remain closed due to a lack of snow.
Explore Minnesota will report winter trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as changes in conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Update is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, Voyageurs National Park, the Three Rivers Park District, and communities throughout the state.
Begin planning your winter getaway by one of our travel counselors at 888-VISITMN (888-847-4866), or request a customized travel planner at Contact a Travel Counselor.
Please note that a Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. All cross-country skiers on state park or forest ski trails, or on state or grant-in-aid trails, who are 16 years or older must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. To order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers, dial 1-888-665-4236 or access the DNR Online License Sales web site. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.
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