Central/Northern MN
-French Rapids(Brainerd)
-Itasca State Park(Park Rapids)
-Soumi Hills(Grand Rapids/Marcell)
-Blueberry Hills(Deer River)
-Movil Maze(Bemidji)

I would have to say that my favorite so far is Murphy Hannerhan in Savage MN. Plenty of big hills. I hope to find something up north this winter that can top it.

I skied the After Glow trail near Brule Wi this week which was pretty with nice wide trails for skating.

I did Pattison State Park's trails this week also which has some nice classical trails.

This is a bit more than just Nordic skiing, but it's a cool site.

Andy Slade

gbusk- If you like Murph, all of the trails I listed would appeal to you. Another spot a little closer to you would be Mille Lacs Kathio- do the expert loops.

REALLY, have you skied Murph G-Man?

Maybe I'll drive up that way one day and we can ski, that's if we ever get any snow!! :)

I have not, but have several friends that ski and like Murph and have told me that French Rapids reminds them of it. Lots of wicked hills on all of these trails I listed.
We have about 6" of fresh snow on the ground here where I live North of Brainerd. Gonna be getting my good skis out this weekend!

Haven't skied yet, but ran with the dog in deep snow. Wore him out and me too. Probably will ski with my husband tomorrow Fort Snelling or Hiawatha Golf Course. Doubt anywhere will groom until after Xmas but have yet to check Skinnyski. Happy Snow!

Woke up to rain/snow/slush. What happened to the fluffy white stuff from yesterday? Skiing squashed. Ran again with the dog through wet mush in my portaging boots and soaked my feet. So warm the wet didn't matter. I hate to whine on xmas, but this slush sucks.

Here's a nice trail just south of Deerwood, MN. It's groomed by the county and they do an impeccable job. Wolf Lake

If any of you are coming to the Brainerd Lakes area to ski, drop me an email. I can give you some spots to try and might even join you.

Recent years I have mainly skied the metro area state parks, especially Maria near Monticello and Wild River north of Taylors Falls. Every other year or so I get to William O'Brien and Afton Alps on the St. Croix. I used to ski all the Hennepin Co.Parks, my favorite being Crow Hassan, but that park was closed to help finance the snowmaking at Elm Creek. I haven't bought a Three Rivers ski permit, so those are all off limits now. Back when I had friends who skied, we hit Kathio MilleLac, Tettegouche, Cascade, Jay Cooke,and a few others I can't remember by name.

Sunday I waded around on Meadowbrook Golf Course--deep snow, crust wouldn't hold my (over)weight enough; Tuesday I skied Cedar and Ilses lakes in Minneapolis...much better.

Kevalr, I live very near Meadowbrook GC. If you wanna ski sometime let me know. I'm off all next week.

Gbusk and Tremelo, you both might be interested in a trail near Shakopee that I forgot to list in the previous note. It is not a groomed trail, but many snowshoers, skiers, and unfortunately hikers make a it well used trail. The area is called Louisville Swamp, and it is at the end of the same dirt road you would take to go to the Renaissance Festival parking lot off Hy 169. A snomobile trail access is in the same small lot, but you will never have to deal with them, just hear them in the distance. The trail crosses Sand Creek twice, and the bridge is out at the first crossing, but you just ski across on the ice. That crossing eliminates a lot of the hikers. The trail is in the Minnesota river bottoms, but there is a surprising amount of elevation change in there--old hard rock that didn't get worn down by the flood. Some of the hills you just look at, some you go over. There is an old farm down there, now maintained by the state as an historic site, complete with interpretive signs. Lots of deer sign, fox and coyote tracks, some turket and pheasant, and one in an early spring thaw I tracked a bear for a ways. I am no longer a fast skier, so it takes me about 2.5 to 3 hours to do the whole longer loop (I always add on an extra 1.5 mile loop to look for deer sign). There is a warming shack at the farmstead, but usually the fire is unlit...not too many people get that far. This is definitely a "rock ski" route. I would be glad to meet any or all of you and act as guide, and I'm open almost any day except Wednesdays (old guys bowling league). Most of this route is out of the wind, so a 10 degree day wouldn't be bad.

Bill

Kevlar-- I am going to tell my husband about that trail and maybe try it this weekend. It sounds really cool-- I love your description of the scenery. Have you skied it this winter? I dont think I have ever seen a report on it on skinnyski.com.

I think the only trails reported on Skinnyski are groomed ones.

I have hiked Louisville SWamp. but never skied it. It's a GREAT refuge and very pretty. I'd be interested in skiing it with you sometime.

Greg.

Yeah, I think you are right MON, only groomed trails reported on. I didnt ski in the new year but wish that I had. Didnt ski today either-- just another jog to the falls and back. It is so damn cold! Not that that is an excuse. My husband is much more dedicated to the sport than I am. As a matter of fact, he gets seriously cranky if he doesn't get to ski on a day that is skiable, and in the metro, we have learned, those days can no longer be counted upon.

I think the Louisville swamp is where my friend does a lot of his mountain biking. I really do like the sounds of it.

I go north almost every February to ski. My folks stay up the Gunflint at Golden Eagle and I drive north and ski solo Sugarbush or Pincushion or both on the way up, and then meet my folks at Golden Eagle and ski the Gunflint system. Last winter, I hit black ice on the way up-- ended up (safe) in a ditch on the side of 61. Freaked me out. Ended up going to the Gunflint Tavern later for dinner, and to remind myself that I was alive and not dead on the highway. There, I meet a woman, the girlfriend of one the Trout Lake Resort owners (Guy Waver), who also spun out where I did and landed in a ditch. we were both really f'ing happy to be alive. The band (Michael Monroe) sang us a song--Slip Sliding Away, and I made friends with the Trout lake clan. I saw them again in July while camping in the area. If you know the Trout Lake folk, you know some great people.

Anyway, I ramble. All in the name of skiing.

Has anyone skied the Flathorn-Gegoka trails near Isabella? I'm hoping to try them next week if it warms up a bit. Skied today, but it was -6 when I started and -9 when I finished, not sure I can sustain that tomorrow.

Skinny Ski will accept reports from trail systems that are not groomed (skier tracked), someone has to send in a report labeled as "new trail/place" if the trail system is not in their database.

I have not skied Louisville Swamp this year, but it will be my next ski location, just as soon as it warms up to 10 or so.

Our absolute favorite: Spidahl Ski Gaard. It's a 25 mile drive for us from Perham, but we try to get there often. It's where we gave our daughters their start, since they rent and sell skis and equipment, waxes, etc and always gave us super deals on trade-ins, too.

The Norwegian tradition is strong, but the modern techniques and equipment are also obvious. Dave and Cindy took over running the place from his dad, Walt ("Speedy"), and a 3rd generation of high school racers have made it their home, too. Always groomed to perfection for both skating and classic.

If you like to Classic ski in grooved tracks, I just skied the trails at Korki Nordic Center and they were GREAT. Four feet wide, tight, twisty, and fast. The way this sport originated.

Gbusk- did you ski the giant hill?

Korkki is a blast.

Banks, yes, I never miss a hill! Korkki is my new favorite place to ski. Got any trials like Korkki in Ely?

Gbusk- the North Arm Trails are narrow and twisty like Korkki- the forest is generally conifer, red, white and jack with balsams and a bit of birch and spruce thrown in. Lots of ups and downs for excitement. Still a bit boney, I'll let you know when and if they get deep.

Yes Banks, please let me know if they get deep!