Perfect weekend for a sledding trip!
Up to a half foot of snow fell throughout the northern half of Minnesota earlier this week, reviving the cross-country ski and snowmobile trails and leaving many in excellent shape. With warm temperatures and bright, sunny days in the forecast, this weekend will be ideal for skiing and snowmobiling!
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Northeast Region
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
The Cow Horn Road and River Road ski trails running through Golden Anniversary State Forest have been groomed, and trail conditions are reported to be good. The trail base measures 7-9 inches thick. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot. The portion of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail which runs through the area has been groomed and conditions are also good. The trail base measures 7-11 inches. Just to the north, Scenic State Park snowmobile trails are in very good shape, with a 9 inch partially groomed surface.
Ely
Total snow accumulation in the Ely vicinity is roughly 19 inches. Several inches of fresh snow has spruced up the trails, leaving them in very good to excellent condition! The Tower to Ely section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed and conditions are very good. The trail base measures 2-8 inches. Excellent conditions are reported for the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail which has a 3-9 inch base. The Babbitt Golf Course, Birch Lake Plantation and North Arm ski trails are groomed, and skiers report excellent conditions. At Bear Head Lake State Park, the ski trails are groomed, and have a 3-6 inch base. The snowmobile trails have 5-7 inch groomed surface. Conditions are described as very good for both.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, all 70km of the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System are groomed with classic track, with 58km groomed for skate skiing. Nearly a foot of snow has fallen over the past week, and conditions are excellent. The trail base is roughly one foot thick. Similar snow amounts and conditions are reported all Gunflint Trail ski trail systems! At nearby Cascade River State Park, from 1-2 feet of snow blankets the ground. The ski trails are fully groomed, with a base measuring 8-14 inches. Conditions are reported to be excellent. The snowmobile trails running through Cascade River State Park are also groomed. These trails have a 6-8 inch base, and riders report very good conditions.
Silver Bay/Two Harbors
Tettegouche State Park is covered in 2 feet of snow away from Lake Superior. The ski trails are groomed and in very good shape with an 8 inch base. Area snowmobile trails have a 6 inch groomed surface, with good conditions reported. Just to the south, conditions are excellent for skiing and very good for snowmobiling at Gooseberry Falls State Park. Both trails have a 4 inch groomed surface.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The northern section of the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Finland to Grand Marais, has a 5-8 inch base and conditions are reported to be good. The southern section is in fair condition, with a 1-4 inch base. The entire trail will be regroomed prior to the weekend. Local snow depth ranges from 13-29 inches.
Carlton
All ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park are groomed, and skiers report good conditions. The trails have a 5 inch base on average. The snowmobile trails are groomed with a 4 inch base, and conditions are also considered good. Excellent conditions are reported for snowmobiling along the northern section of the Willard Munger State Trail that runs through the area.
Northwest Region
Williams/northwest of Baudette
The ski and snowmobile trails at Zippel Bay State Park are groomed and in very good condition. The trails have a 6-7 inch base, with nearly a foot and a half of snow on the ground.
Argyle/NW corner of Minnesota
The snowmobile trails running through Old Mill State Park are groomed and in very good shape. The trail base measures 8 inches, with a foot and a half of snow covering the ground.
Waskish
The snowmobile trail running through Big Bog State Recreation Area is groomed and in good condition with a 4 inch base. This trail runs all the way to Baudette. The trails running to Kelliher and Blackduck are also groomed. Riders report very good conditions. The ground is covered in 15 inches of snow.
Walker
The northern section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail is in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 4 inches. Local snow depth is 16 inches.
Bemidji
Recent snowfall has added 4 inches of fresh snow to the trails, leaving the cross-country ski and snowmobile trails in great shape! The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are freshly groomed, and conditions are described as excellent. The snowmobile trails have also been groomed, with excellent conditions reported. Both trails have a 6 inch base on average. Area snow cover is 16 inches. See what it's like to groom the trails!
Lake Itasca, north of Park Rapids
Fresh snow has improved trail conditions at Itasca State Park. The ski trails are groomed and in very good condition with a 4 inch base. The snowmobile trails are in good condition with a 4 inch groomed surface. Roughly a foot of snow covers the ground in this area.
Central Region
McGregor
Ski trail conditions within Savanna Portage State Park are reported to be excellent. The trails have a 4 inch groomed surface. The snowmobile trails are also groomed and in excellent shape, with a 4 inch base. Local snow depth is approximately 18 inches.
Pequot Lakes
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is groomed and in very good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 2-4 inches, with 9-12 inches of snow on the ground. Please note that trail conditions could deteriorate rapidly due to warm temperatures combined with heavy traffic.
Onamia/Garrison
While the Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park ski and snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, both are reported to be in fair condition. The trails have a 2 inch trail base on average. The ground is covered in roughly 5 inches of snow.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Alma -east of North Branch
Wild River State Park is covered in roughly 4 inches of snow. Park staff have groomed most of the trails. The trail base measures 1-2 inches, and conditions are considered fair. Ski and snowshoe rental are available at the Trail Center. Please call ahead for availability. 651/257-0685. Mark your calendar for this year's Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe on Saturday, February 11. Enjoy candlelit trails, music, stargazing, refreshments and a giant prairie bonfire! Reservations are recommended for equipment rentals. Before the event, check out Winter Fest in nearby North Branch.
Marine on St. Croix - north of Stillwater
The classic and skate ski trails at William O'Brien State Park should all be groomed by this weekend. Skiers report fair conditions overall. The trail base averages 3 inches, with 4 inches of snow on the ground. Skiers may also want to check out the Ice Castles in nearby Stillwater.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
The Valley Trail and Lesson Area cross-country ski trails with manufactured snow 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. Trails covered with natural snow at parks within the Three Rivers Park District are closed due to insufficient snowcover.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park is covered in 6 inches of snow. All 9 miles of cross-country ski trails are groomed, and conditions are reported to be fair. The trails have a 3 inch base on average. Please note that the trails may deteriote quickly this weekend due to warm temperatures.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either in poor condition or have been 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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