Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Dec. 5, 2019

Cross-country skiing on the Gunflint Trail

Greetings!

This is the first Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update of the 2019-2020 winter season! Explore Minnesota will report cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as conditions warrant.

Numerous ski and snowmobile trails in the northeast, northwest and central regions of Minnesota are in fair to good condition. And many ski trails up the Gunflint Trail, north of Grand Marais, are in great shape! Some ski trails in parks with snow-making equipment offer decent ski trail conditions, including those within the Three Rivers Park District. As always, please call ahead for the most current trail conditions before traveling.

Embrace winter at the 3rd Annual Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener this Saturday, Dec. 7, at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area in Maple Grove. Skiers of all abilities and ages are invited to kickoff winter with free skiing, free rental equipment and free mini lessons. Participate in the Ski Tour with routes for the whole family, ski with Goldy and other mascots, and check out the Nordic Ski Expo with reps from 50 Nordic ski suppliers, resorts, retailers and clubs. Kids can test their skills at a fun ski obstacle course. Activities are on and off the snow, so come dressed for the weather. Admission is free! Elm Creek Park Reserve. 763-559-9000

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]

Northeast Region

Hibbing/Side Lake

The snowmobile trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are in fair condition but remain ungroomed. Local snow depth is 11 inches.

Ely

At Bear Head Lake State Park, some of the ski trails are groomed and in good condition, with a 2-4 inch base. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed. Total snow accumulation is 13-15 inches.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, most of the Upper Gunflint Nordic Ski Trail System is freshly groomed and tracked. Conditions range from good to excellent! Overall, the trails have a 5 inch base, with roughly 20 inches of snow off the trails. Similar conditions are reported for the Banadad Ski Trail System. Up the Gunflint Trail and near the city of Lutsen, many of the inland snowmobile trails are groomed. The base of the trails measures roughly 6 inches following grooming. Check out some of the trails via web cams placed throughout Cook County. For the most current conditions, check the Cook County Trail Conditions web page. Just to the south, at Temperance River State Park, roughly 9 inches of snow covers the ground. While the ski trails remain ungroomed, they offer an excellent opportunity for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing.

Silver Bay

Tettegouche State Park is covered in 17 inches of snow. Some of the ski trails are packed and groomed. These trails are reported to be in fair to good condition, and one trail is in excellent condition! Just to the south, very good conditions are reported for Gooseberry Falls State Park's snowmobile trails. The trails are ungroomed but have been packed. Total snow accumulation in the park measures 20 inches.

Hinckley/Moose Lake

The Willard Munger State Trail was groomed today for snowmobiling. The trail has a 6-12 inch base, and conditions are fair. The ground along the trail is covered in 12-24 inches of snow!

Northwest Region

Park Rapids

Most ski trails at Itasca State Park are freshly groomed and in good condition. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, but are listed in fair condition. Approximately 7 inches of snow covers the ground. Nearby, many area snowmobile trails have been rolled leaving a good, solid base.

Central Region

Pelican Rapids/Battle Lake

The ski and snowmobile trails at Maplewood State Park have not been groomed, but are considered to be in fair condition. The trail bases range from 0-8 inches thick. The ground is covered in 9 inches of snow. Please note that local lakes have areas of open water.

Brainerd/Pequot Lakes

Snowmobile trail conditions for the Paul Bunyan State Trail have been upgraded to very good now that they are groomed. Overall snow depth in the woods is 14 inches. Nearby, at the city of Ironton, the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area ski trails are groomed and in fair to good condition. The trails have an 8 inch base. The single track trails are firming up for fat tire biking too! Roughly 15 inches of snow covers the ground.

Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity

Three Rivers Park District parks in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties

Fair to good conditions are reported for all groomed cross-country ski trails at parks with snow-making facilities such as Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Fair conditions can also be found on some ski trails with natural snow in the Three Rivers Park District parks. Check out the Three Rivers Park District Trail Conditions web page for the most current conditions.

Most other ski trails and all snowmobile trails remain closed or are listed in poor condition due to a lack of snow.

Southern Region

All ski and snowmobile trails remain closed or are listed in poor condition 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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