Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - Dec. 30, 2020

Cross-country ski trails at dusk - Travis Novitsky

Greetings!

Here is your weekly Winter Trails Update featuring cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions throughout the state.

Last week's heavy snowfall and yesterday's blanket of fresh snow have created a true Winter Wonderland throughout Minnesota. At the time of this report, fair to good conditions were reported for many ski and snowmobile trails. Once grooming is complete, expect ski and snowmobile trail conditions to improve considerably in much of Minnesota!

Learn about all of Minnesota's fun and exhilarating Winter Sports.

Please note: Cross-country skiers and snowmobilers are asked to practice safe social distancing on the trails. Learn more about safer ways to travel at Explore Minnesota's COVID-19 Information page.  

Happy New Year from Explore Minnesota!

[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Minneapolis-St. Paul Area] [Southern]

Northeast Region

Many cross-country ski and snowmobile trails are open and in good shape, with some ski trails in good to excellent condition.

International Falls/Voyageurs National Park

The International Falls, Rainy Lake and Ranier Visitors Bureau reports that many area cross-country ski trails are groomed and in good shape. The recent cold snap has aided snowmobile trail groomers by firming up the swampy areas. The Green Snowmobile Trail (Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River) is now open and groomed. Please note that there are several pressure ridges so riders must use extreme caution when approaching the ridges or riding off trail. Also watch for pockets of slush. The ice roads remain closed.

Grand Rapids/Bigfork

Some of the Golden Anniversary State Forest ski trails have been packed. These trails have a 1 inch base, and conditions are listed as fair. Good conditions can be found on other area ski trails. The section of the Taconite State Trail between Hwy 65 and Hwy 73 is partially groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures roughly 1 inch. Area snowmobile clubs have started packing the bog areas, and plan to groom soon. The ground is covered in 6-8 inches of snow. Learn more about the many Grand Rapids area trails.

Ely

Snow depth in the Ely vicinity is 4-16 inches following the midweek snowfall. Most trails are in the process of being groomed. The Taconite State Trail running through Bear Head Lake State Park was groomed Dec. 24 for snowmobiling, with good conditions reported. The trail base measured roughly 2 inches. The ski trails had not been groomed and remained in poor condition. Portions of the Arrowhead State Trail should be groomed for snowmobiling by New Year's weekend. More snow is needed to groom the entire trail. The Hidden Valley, Trezona and Babbitt Golf Course ski trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing, with good to very good conditions reported. For the most current conditions, check the Ely Trail Conditions & Winter Fishing web page.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

In Cook County, just north of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System offers good to excellent conditions for classic and skate skiing. Most trails are groomed, with a 6 inch base on average. Roughly a foot of snow covers the ground. Area lakes will continue to be groomed by snowmobile until there is enough ice to groom with a Pisten Bully. Similar trail conditions are reported for many of the other ski trail systems along the Gunflint Trail. View some of these trails at Cook County Webcams. The snowmobile trails up the Gunflint Trail were not groomed as of Dec. 28, but were being rolled and packed. The trail base ranged from 3-6 inches. Check the Cook County Winter Trail Conditions page to learn more about all area ski and snowmobile trails. Nearby, at Cascade River State Park, 6-10 inches of snow fell on Dec. 23. The ski trail has since been rolled and packed, with fair conditions reported. The trail base measures 3-6 inches. The snowmobile trail remains in poor condition.

Two Harbors/Silver Bay

Fair conditions are reported for skiing and snowmobiling at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The ski trails on the Lake Superior side of Hwy 61 are groomed, as are the interior trails near the Gooseberry River. The trail base measures 2-3 inches. While the snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, the trails are covered in 4-8 inches of snow.

Duluth/Grand Marais

The C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail, running from Duluth to Grand Marais, was scheduled to be packed on Dec. 28. Prior to packing, conditions were considered poor, and riders were asked to watch for large drifts and downed trees. Snow cover along the trail was 5-8 inches.

Carlton

Several of the north side ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park are packed and tracked, with fair to good conditions reported along a 4 inch base. Area snow cover is roughly 6 inches.

McGregor

The ski trails at Savanna Portage State Park will be packed today, Dec. 30. If time allows, staff will also track the trails. Currently, the base is 6 inches thick, and fair conditions are reported. Conditions are unknown for the snowmobile trails.

Hinckley

The ski and snowmobile trails at St. Croix State Park will all be groomed by the end of day, Dec. 30. Both trails have a 3 inch base, with 10 inches of snow on the ground. Expect good conditions for skiing, and fair conditions for snowmobiling once grooming is complete.

Northwest Region

Some cross-country ski and snowmobile trails are now open, with fair to good conditions reported.

Thief River Falls/Hallock

The cross-country ski trails at Lake Bronson State Park are groomed and reported to be in good condition. The base of the trails measures roughly 3 inches, with 5 inches of snow on the ground.

Bemidji

The cross-country ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park have a 2 inch partially groomed surface with some thin spots. Conditions are considered fair. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, but the gates are now open. Area snow cover is roughly 5 inches. Snowshoe and cross-country ski rental are available through the ranger station once there is at least 6 inches of snow on the ground.

Walker

The portion of the Paul Bunyan State Trail which runs through the Walker vicinity remains ungroomed, but riders report fair conditions. The trail base measures 1 inch, with roughly 9 inches of snow along the trail.

Park Rapids/Nevis

Many of the ski trails at Itasca State Park are packed and rolled, with fair conditions reported along a 2 inch trail base. Tracking will occur once more snow is received. The snowmobile trails remain ungroomed, but the trails are open. Itasca offers a number of snowshoe trails, which are currently in great shape due to abundant snow cover, and rental is available at the park. Approximately 6 inches of snow covers the ground.

Central Region

Some cross-country ski and snowmobile trails are open and in decent condition.

Brainerd

The Northland Arboretum ski trails are open, with fair to good conditions reported on Dec. 28. Conditions have probably improved since the midweek snowfall.

Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Many cross-country ski trails are now open, with fair conditions reported.

Center City

All 19 miles of ski trails at Wild River State Park have been packed and combed, and the trail base ranges from 2-4 inches. Conditions are reported to be mostly fair. Local snow depth is roughly 9 inches.

Afton

Most of the ski trails at Afton State Park were roller/corduroy packed on Dec. 24. The trails have a 2 inch base on average, and conditions are considered fair. Expect better conditions in the wooded and more protected areas.

St. Paul

The ski trails at Fort Snelling State Park will be packed and tracked by Dec. 31. At the time of this report, fair conditions were reported on a 6 inch base. Snow cover on the ground measures roughly 8 inches.

Celebrate Carpenter Nature Center’s 40th Anniversary by walking, running, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing 40 miles in 40 days during the Frosty 40 Winter Challenge. This event begins Jan. 1 and runs through March 20, and is a great way for families and individuals to get outside, exercise and support the Center.   

Additional options exist for cross-country skiing at sites with snowmaking facilities such as Theodore Wirth Regional Park in Minneapolis, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Classic and skate ski rental is offered at some parks within the Three Rivers Park District, including Elm Creek and Hyland Lake park reserves. Learn more at the Three Rivers Park District rates and reservations web page.

Southern Region

Most cross-country ski and snowmobile trails remain closed due to a lack of snow.

New Ulm

The ski trails running through Flandrau State Park are freshly groomed, and conditions are described as good despite a thin, 1 inch base. Roughly 5 inches of snow covers the ground within the park. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rental will not be available for the 2020-2021 winter season.

Another option for cross-country skiing can be found at St. Mary's University in Winona where there is snowmaking equipment. The small manmade snow loop is reported to be in good condition.

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 contacting 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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