Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Update - January 12, 2023

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

Due to abundant snowfall and exceptional grooming operations, skiers and snowmobilers will find good to excellent conditions on trails throughout Minnesota! Above-freezing temperatures are in the forecast this weekend which may cause slick spots in some areas.

It's time to start planning your perfect winter getaway! Whether you’re ice fishing on a frozen lake, snowmobiling through the North Woods, skiing aside scenic bluffs or fat biking through former iron ore mines, countless winter adventures await in Minnesota's winter wonderland!

Red Wing/Frontenac

The cross-country ski trails at Frontenac State Park are groomed and in fair condition with a 3 inch base. Local snow depth is approximately 10 inches. Please note that some sections may be icy and in poor condition due to recent freezing rain.

Winona

All ski trails at St. Mary's University were groomed for classic and skate skiing as of Jan. 10. The skate ski trails were reported to be in good shape at that time. The classic ski trails, however, were icy and thin with little track remaining

Lanesboro/Preston

Park staff at Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park report fair to good conditions for snowmobiling and good conditions for skiing. Overall snow depth in the park is 6 inches.

Faribault/Waterville

The portion of the Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail running from Faribault to Elysian is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. Conditions are mostly fair, with a trail base measuring roughly 3 inches. Part of the trail from Mankato to just west of Elysian has large, impassable snow drifts. Five inches of snow covers the ground along the trail.

Monticello

On Jan. 9, park staff reported excellent conditions along some of the cross-country ski trails at Lake Maria State Park that were packed and tracked. These trails had a 6 inch base at the time. Snow cover within the park was 18 inches.

Center City

The ski trails at Wild River State Park are freshly groomed and in very good condition overall with a 4-6 inch base. Local snow depth is 20 inches. Ski and snowshoe rental can be reserved at the park most weekends. Learn more at 651-387-4692.

St. Paul

Ski trails throughout Fort Snelling State Park are packed and tracked with a trail base measuring 1 foot. Trail conditions are described as very good. Local snow depth is roughly 19 inches.

Afton

The cross-country ski trails at Afton State Park are groomed and conditions are considered fair to good. Local snow depth is roughly 16 inches. Please note that yesterday's freezing drizzle has left some areas very icy.

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

Most cross-country ski trails with natural and man-made snow at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington are packed and tracked and in good condition. A snow tubing hill is also available at Elm Creek. Ski trails at other Three Rivers Park District Park are also groomed and in good condition.

Long Lake/Winsted

The section of the Luce Line State Trail running east to Winsted is groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures roughly 8 inches. The ground is covered in nearly 2 feet of snow. The trail will be regroomed prior to the weekend, leaving it in great condition. Conditions are expected to deteriorate over the weekend due to above-freezing temperatures, however, the loss of trail base should be minimal.

Jordan/Shakopee/Chaska

The snowmobile trails running through the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area are reported to be in good condition. The trail base measures roughly 7 inches with 18 inches of snow on the ground. Conditions are expected to deteriorate over the weekend due to above-freezing temperatures, however, the loss of trail base should be minimal.

Pelican Rapids

On Jan. 9, all cross-country ski trails at Maplewood State Park were groomed with excellent conditions reported. These trails had an 8 inch base. The snowmobile trails were groomed and in very good condition with a 4 inch base. More than 2 feet of snow was measured within the park.

Brainerd

The section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail that runs from Pequot Lakes to Brainerd is reported to be groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The base of the trail measures 3-6 inches with 20-24 inches of snow on the ground.

Onamia/Garrison

On Jan. 7, park staff at Mille Lacs-Kathio State Park reported good conditions for the less-advanced ski trails. These trails were groomed and had a 10 inch base at the time. The snowmobile trails had a 10 inch partially groomed surface. Overall, conditions were considered good. Approximately 2 feet of snow covered the ground within the park.

NORTHWEST REGION

Thief River Falls/Hallock/Argyle

Lake Bronson State Park offers 8 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. The base of the trails measures 8 inches and conditions are reported to be excellent. The snowmobile trails are groomed and in very good condition. Local snow depth is 17 inches. The snowmobile trails running through Old Mill State Park are groomed and in very good condition. The base of the trails measures roughly 8 inches. Sixteen inches of snow covers the ground within the park.

Bemidji

All ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are packed and tracked, and park staff describe conditions as excellent. The trail base is roughly 3 inches deep. The snowmobile trails also have a 3 inch groomed surface with excellent conditions reported. Area snowcover is roughly 1 foot.

Walker

The section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail that runs through the Walker vicinity is groomed and in good condition with a 2 inch base. Roughly a foot of snow covers the ground along the trail. The portion of the Heartland State Trail that runs through this area is reported to be in good condition, with a 2-4 inch trail base. Local snow cover is 11 inches.

Park Rapids/Nevis

The section of the Heartland State Trail that runs through the Nevis vicinity is reported to be groomed and in good condition with a 4-6 inch base. More than a foot of snow covers the ground along the trail.

Cook/Tower

The David Dill portion of the Arrowhead State Trail near Tower is reported to be groomed and in fair condition. The base of the trail ranges from 1-4 inches. The ground is covered in 16-28 inches of snow. Riders are asked to watch for logging trucks.

Ely

The Babbitt Golf Club ski trails in the Ely vicinity are groomed for classic and skate skiing with excellent conditions reported. Some of the ski and snowmobile trails running through Bear Head Lake State Park are groomed and in fair condition. The ski trails have a 10 inch base, and the snowmobile trails have an 8 inch base. Local snow depth is 17-20 inches. Most of the Taconite State Trail running from Ely to Tower is groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 1-4 inches. Local snow depth ranges from 14-26 inches.

Hibbing/Virginia

Some of the cross-country ski trails at McCarthy Beach State Park are groomed and in fair condition. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in poor condition. Local snow cover is more than 2 feet.

Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail

Trails within the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trail System in Cook County are groomed and in good to excellent condition. The base of the trails averages 8 inches with more than 2 feet of snow along the trails. Groomers typically hit the trails within 24 hours of a major snow event. Just to the south, the Lutsen Trailbreakers Snowmobile Club has begun regular grooming operations. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in good condition. Snow depth off the trails is 18-30 inches thick.

Hinckley/Duluth

The entire Willard Munger State Trail running from Hinckley to Duluth is groomed and in good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 10-15 inches. Area snowcover is 2-3 feet. Nearby, the portion of the Matthew Lourey State Trail running through Chengwatana State Forest is groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 8 inches with 20 inches of snow on the ground. The portions of the trail running through St. Croix and Nemadji state forests are in poor condition. And on Jan. 9, some of the snowmobile trails at St. Croix State Park were reported to be groomed and in excellent condition with a 12 inch base. Most of the ski trails were groomed and in very good condition with an 8 inch base. Roughly 2 feet of snow covered the ground within the park.

Information used to compile the Winter Trails Update is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, Three Rivers Park District, city/regional park systems 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 Great Minnesota Ski Pass. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources at 1-888-646-6367. To order a cross-country ski pass or snowmobile trail sticker, dial 1-888-665-4236 or access the DNR Online License Sales web site. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase a ski pass or snowmobile sticker, check out DNR License Agents.