Decided to start a new thread for this season's reports. (Can you tell I'm a wee bit anxious?)

mee too! love snow.
REPORT: Upper Gunflint trails: no snow yet. great hiking on the ski trails, lots of animal sign.

UPPER GUNFLINT system: maybe 2 inches of light snow, nothing to brag about. we are out mowing the trails to get rid of raspberry and other brush.

First ski of the season- skating on an inch or so of snow on top of ice, occasionally just ice. Damp and gray, snow was slow and not fixed well to the ice (a little bit slick on the push off). Nice to be moving.

we've got fake snow skiing in mpls. the snow is rocket fast, worthless if you are classic skiing but works great for skating. tempts today were best for bike riding, and that is what i did. i am thinking about canoeing the kinnie in the next several days.

I got out for a nice long bike ride myself the other day. Fun, but would rather be skiing.

Cant find any snow in the cities. Sucks!!

An inch or two last night, maybe another inch today. Lakes should be decent for classical, boring in terms of elevation, but still pretty to look at.

Gunflint Trail ski trail report

bearskin (lower gunflint trail system)

here are a couple links to snow conditions.
it's probably better to check blogs from the gunflint trail businesses, not sure how often the first link (GTA) is updated.

there is snow in the cities, it is fake, but in the absence of the real thing, it is beautiful. skied elm creek tonight, tiny little loops, 2 km, but perfect conditions. tomorrow we are skiing wirth park, another little loop of fake snow, very hilly, but in perfect condition.

As far as I'm concerned there is no snow in the cities. I just can't do that fake stuff john. I just can't.
So, unofficial snow report for the Twin Cities. There is a small pile remaining on the north side of my garage. That's about it.
This sucks!
Wish I was up north with those of you that are!

banks took me on a ten mile ski from the dock of hoho's down the dead river, burnside, northarm, w. twin back. i'm tingling with muscle fatigue by the fire. my first ski of the year. wow. its amazingly pretty here and lake skiing is fun. the ice sounds and shifting are a bit disconcerting, but jon explained what was happening. it was cool to ski where i paddled this summer.

quote tremolo: "banks took me on a ten mile ski from the dock of hoho's down the dead river, burnside, northarm, w. twin back. i'm tingling with muscle fatigue by the fire. my first ski of the year. wow. its amazingly pretty here and lake skiing is fun. the ice sounds and shifting are a bit disconcerting, but jon explained what was happening. it was cool to ski where i paddled this summer. "

I'm jealous. I went for a walk in the woods yesterday and actually felt compelled to check for ticks when I got home (didn't find any). I am more than ready for some snow.

quote gutmon: "

quote tremolo: "banks took me on a ten mile ski from the dock of hoho's down the dead river, burnside, northarm, w. twin back. i'm tingling with muscle fatigue by the fire. my first ski of the year. wow. its amazingly pretty here and lake skiing is fun. the ice sounds and shifting are a bit disconcerting, but jon explained what was happening. it was cool to ski where i paddled this summer. "

I'm jealous. I went for a walk in the woods yesterday and actually felt compelled to check for ticks when I got home (didn't find any). I am more than ready for some snow."

lol

yeah. i would be jealous too. despite some of the stuff i am going through w the divorce, i have good friends and skiing. i do feel blessed.

12/30/2011 many of the trails in the Lower Gunflint Trail system are trackset. Bearkskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Lodge maintain and groom these trails, stop at either Lodge to purchase system ski pass.

most of the Upper Gunflint Trail system have been trackset for classic skiing only, single track on one side of the trail. Cross River Lodge, Heston's Lodge, Gunflint Pines Resort, and Gunflint Lodge maintain and groom these trails, stop at any of these Lodges to purchase system passes for the day or weekend.

the Banadad is groomed and trackset on the east end, although it sure looked trackset on the west end, too. The Banadad connects the lower and upper Gunflint systems, and is part of the Minnesota State Trail System so that license is purchased from the same place you'd purchase your fishing license.

Boundary Country Trekking maintains and grooms the Banadad so contact them with questions about the trail conditions.

Happy New Year!!!

the groomer is out already this morning! 90% of the Upper Gunflint trails will be groomed today. It's been snowing for two days and is still coming down.

Pack your bags and head up north!

Upper Gunflint Nordic Ski trial Report 1/2/12

New Snow Last 24 hours: .5 inch
New Snow Last 7 days: 6.0 inches
Packed Base: 4 to 5-1/2 inches
Snow in Woods: 12 – 14 inches
Trail Conditions: Packed powder – great to excellent!
Trails Open: all but Amperage, Magnetic & South rim.
Total snowfall since November 1: 26 inches

Comments: Skiers are commenting the trail conditions are great! We have packed Amperage and are working on some additional side brushing on the whole system. We had more new snow yesterday but lots of blowing too so will re-groom the entire system as soon as the wind dies. Currently all trails are tracked single track, single skate lane. The forecast for this weekend is for sun and day time temps in the 20’s. Perfect ski weather!!

Central Gunflint Trail ski system (shared by Bearskin and Golden Eagle Lodges)

New Snow Last 24 hours: 1.75 inches
New Snow Last 7 days: 7.5 inches
Trail Base: Snowcat packed 4 to 5-1/2 inches
Snow in Woods: 13 inch average
Surface Conditions: Packed powder
Trails Open: 70 km
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since November 1: 21.40 inches

Dan was out grooming most of the day today with the snowcat. He groomed everything on the north side of Flour Lake as well as Wolf Point, West End Logging Camp and the North-South Link from Golden Eagle to the Beaver Dam Trail. He was able to take over the grooming from Bearskin on Ridge Run, the Upper Beaver Dam and Moose Pasture and did those for the first time this year with the snowcat, double tracking to help pack and level the trail. The lower Ridge Run needs more packing and Jonathan spent a couple of hours today on the snowmobile working on prepacking the trails in that area so hopefully next snowfall we’ll be able to groom those.
We had a crew out yesterday on the section of trail in the Boundary Waters, hand brushing stubble and limbing trees. We’ll re-groom that section when this storm is through so we get as much new snow on the trail as possible.
Our trails are really in great shape, especially those on the North Side of Flour Lake as well as West End Logging Camp.


BANADAD Trail (maintained by Boundary Country Trekking)

DATE: December 29, 2011
SNOW DEPTH IN WOODS: Eleven inches
NEW SNOW PAST 24 HOURS: 4-5 inches
NEW SNOW PAST 7 DAYS: 6 inches
GROOM/TRACKED TRAIL: 10 km. - first mile of Banadad's east end, Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Knapp Trails.
SNOWSHOE TRAILS: Five miles open
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: Great Skiing; great snow more is expected

Thanks for the updates mocha.
I wish I lived a lot closer to the Gunflint!

quote fitgers1: "Thanks for the updates mocha.
I wish I lived a lot closer to the Gunflint!"

Me too! (in all seasons!)
Thanks for the reports, Mocha. We still have less than 2" in the Brainerd area with temps approaching 40 in the forecast...

It's snowing this morning!!!! oh so pretty....

Here I sit at the cabin north of Wadena. No snow. None. It started snowing last night when I drove into town but it is gone already. This sucks!
I think I am going to pack up and head to Bemidji for some afternoon ice fishing.

I Fished just north of Park Rapids instead. No snow there either!

we got about 1-2 inches overnight, Trail Center reported 3 inches.

quote mocha: "we got about 1-2 inches overnight, Trail Center reported 3 inches."

You are the keeper of the rare snow gift, Mocha. Sounds wonderful.

Central Gunflint Trail: Golden Eagle and Bearskin Lodge

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0.75 inches
New Snow Last 7 days: 1.75 inches
Trail Base: Snowcat packed 4 to 5-1/2 inches
Snow in Woods: 13 to 15-1/2 inch average
Groomed with classic tracks: 70K
Groomed for skating: 40 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh packed powder
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since November 1: 24.65 inches

Comments: The last two days brought 1.75” of snow and the groomers have been out working! On Saturday, Bearskin groomed Lower Beaver Dam, Summer Home Road and Ox Cart and report those to be in excellent shape. Bear Cub was also groomed and is in good shape. Poplar Creek Trail will be groomed today.
Golden Eagle is out today and reports conditions to be good on Upper Ridge Run with west end Lower Ridge Run fair; Upper Beaver Dam is good with some stubble still showing on those trails. Moose Pasture, Wolf Point, West End Logging Camp, Deer Mouse, Cross Fox, Red Pines, Moose Ridge, and Logging Camp on the north side of Flour Lake are in excellent shape.
For the latest report you can call us at 1-800-346-2203 or 218-388-2203 or Bearskin at 218-388-2292.

quote tremolo: "

quote mocha: "we got about 1-2 inches overnight, Trail Center reported 3 inches."

You are the keeper of the rare snow gift, Mocha. Sounds wonderful."

we are truly blessed, and we aren't complaining! it's beautiful.

Banadad Bulletin: The newsletter of the Banadad Trail Association

Year’s First Thru-Skiers on the Banadad

Two skiers from Little Falls, Minnesota, Nicole and Mathew were the first to ski the entire Banadad this season. The pair started on January 6 from the west end trailhead and skied the 12 kilometers to the Bedew Lake Yurts. After spending two nights at the yurt camp they skied the 18 Kilometers to the east end trailhead. After completing the trip they stated that the trail was in good shape and they a great time.

The Banadad is part of the Minnesota State Trail system so your MN Ski pass is valid on this trail.

Here on the western side of the b-dub snow is weak. Enough cover to ski the lakes but portages must be walked. I've been managing 20-30km per day skating but miss going up and downhills (up and downwind not the same thrill). Might be time to head for the Gunflint....

it is snowing in the Gunflint Trail area today, temps ranging from 28-35, kind of wet snow. we'll take anything!!!

Skied (still on the lakes/rivers) in the snow- heavy enough at times that it was hard to see- but alas only an inch or two added. Beautiful though....

quote Banksiana: "Skied (still on the lakes/rivers) in the snow- heavy enough at times that it was hard to see- but alas only an inch or two added. Beautiful though....




"

making me salivate down here in the metro!

i can't take it anymore. we are heading up to the gunflint tomorrow. i see the weather is doing it's thing. i see negative numbers for temps, and wind. this winter (?) has made me all soft and gooie, not sure if i can take the 4 below.

Fantastic skiing at Bearskin Lodge a couple days ago. They have tons of snow and great grooming.

Skied the Onion River Rd. today at the Sugarbush trail system out of tofte today. The first k or so was okayish and after that it was quite good but not as good as it was at bearskin.

the mid gunflint trails were outstanding, i was not.

Central Gunflint Trail ski system
(Golden Eagle and Bearskin areas)

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0 inches
New Snow Last 7 days: 3.8 inches
Trail Base: Snowcat packed 4 to 5-1/2 inches
Snow in Woods: 13 to 15-1/2 inch average
Groomed with classic tracks: 70K
Groomed for skating: 40 K
Surface Conditions: Packed powder
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since November 1: 28.45 inches

Comments: Groomers on both sides were out yesterday and skiers reported that skiing was fantastic!
With the new snow this past week, much of the stubble on Beaver Dam, Ridge Run, and Bear Cub is disappearing and trails are in good to excellent shape.
For the latest report you can call us at 1-800-346-2203 or 218-388-2203 or Bearskin at 218-388-2292 or 1-800-338-4170.

Going to Duluth/Two Harbors Feb. 10 weekend. Going to some winter festival in Two Harbors. Might have to change plans and go to Gunflint!

yeah, fitgers, the conditions were pristine up at bearskin last week.

The Good- Finally skiing classic in the woods, with hills on immaculately groomed trails.

The Sad- The trails and the snow are in Alaska.

Met a high school team on the trails today, the coach said he has 65 kids on the team (grade 9-12).

Unbelievable trails in town. Up and down and corners and firm set track. It is cold (high's around zero) and the snow is slow. Saw the biggest, lowest, brightest sundog I've ever seen today (sun is off frame to the right).

great looking trails, and it does look very cold.

nice to hear there are 65 young kids interested in skiing and being outdoors.

oops. the dreaded double post.

I suppose this is a logical place to post this. It could probably go under 'Trip Planning,' too, as I'm afraid we will be adversely affected by this lack of precipitation during the canoe tripping season should this pattern keep up.

From science.nasa.gov:
What Happened to All the Snow?

Latest conditions for the Upper Gunflint Trail ski system

New Snow Last 24 hours: 4.5 inches
New Snow Last 7 days: 5.75 inches
Trail Base: packed 6 to 8 inches
Snow in Woods: 18-20 inch average
Surface Conditions: Packed powder
Total snowfall since November 1: 29.65 inches

Comments: Execllent ski conditions!! We’re out grooming and plan to have the system done by tomorrow. Amperage and Magnetic rock trail remain packed only, no tracks set. Folks have been using Amperage for ski-joring, but beware there is still quite a bit of raspberry bramble about knee/thigh high. stings when it swats your legs!

Hidden Valley Trails in Ely are in nice shape today after the 4"-5" of new snow Sunday and Monday. Nice classic track on most loops with only a few shallow spots with protruding grass and sticks in the deep woods. It was my first time out this year other than a trip onto the lake last week when there was very little snow. Hope to get out tomorrow when the trails should be faster.

Happy Skiing to all.

UPPER GUNFLINT TRAIL SKI SYSTEM
maintained and groomed by Gunflint Pines, Heston's, Cross River Lodge and Gunflint Lodge

New snow last 24 hours: .75 inch
New snow last 7 days: 2.25 inches
Trail Base: 6-8 inches of packed base
Snow in the woods: 20 inch average
Snow condition: Packed Powder, excellent ski conditions
Total Snowfall since November 1 - 37.25 inches

CENTRAL GUNFLINT TRAIL SYSTEM
trails maintained and groomed by Golden Eagle Lodge and Bearskin Lodge

New Snow Last 24 hours: 2.0 inches
New Snow Last 7 days: 3.25 inches
Trail Base: Snowcat packed - Average - 7-1/2 inches, High - 8 inches
Snow in Woods: Low -17 inches, Average -19 inches, High - 20 inches
Groomed with classic tracks: 70K
Groomed for skating: 40 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh packed powder
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since November 1: 38.35 inches

Conditions: Excellent
Comments: The Groomers are out again today! We’ve had over 17 inches of snow this January and the trails are in excellent mid-winter condition.
For the latest report you can call Golden Eagle at 1-800-346-2203 or 218-388-2203 or Bearskin at 218-388-2292 or 1-800-338-4170.

just a dusting almost every day this past week. this weekend the temps were a balmy lower 30's with bright sunshine.

the groomer guy went out very late last night and groomed part of the system, and then went out about 5am this morning to do the other part of the system. the trails set up nicely when groomed during the night.

Tuesday's snow opened the trails in the woods for decent skiing. I've been on the North Arm Trails every day since. Gave HoHo a tour on Thursday. Today's snow if it continues should open even the most rugged trails to skiing with your "good skis".

Come to Ely to ski.

Would love to go to ely and ski but we are doing the gun flint next weekend for skiing.

The snow fall in Ely is good news. I am going to be in the area in mid March and was looking forward to some good skiing!

The snow will be great for the forest and lakes this spring too.

I was going to head to the gunflint too but the snow arrived at about the same time I did.

Heading over to Spidahl Ski Gaard near Erhard today. Should be perfect conditions. They're having a Candlelight Ski tonight at 7:00.

First time this season on the Sigmund Ruud boards

I got out this morning at the Arboretum in Brainerd. It was beautiful! Mc2mens is up with his son and we are going to ski together tomorrow. Looking forward to meeting him and skiing with a fellow board member. Report to follow.

Skied Maria State park today. Great conditions, but only the south half of the park had groomed trails. Not being in skiing shape (first ski of the season), going uphill on ungroomed trails was a lot of work...extra high lift, no packed snow to put an edge into. A bit breezy, but in that park it is so wooded the wind doesn't really bother you. After waiting for over two months to ski, it was great!

An absolutely PERFECT day of skiing at Spidahl's. Afternoon was spent on freshly groomed tracks. We were the first ones on most of the trails after Dave groomed them. Then, after a late lunch and some shopping in Fergus Falls, returned for their Candlelight Ski. The 70% moon lit enough that you could easily try out loops that they hadn't lit up with either luminarias or Christmas lights strung along the way. Planets and constellations and moonlight and skiing... I wish some of my night pics would have turned out, but I was having too much fun to futz with the settings...

Took some first-timers out after church this afternoon. Beautiful. Great conditions, even if the big snowflakes falling all afternoon did slow things a bit.

Beautiful skiing in the Gunflint area this weekend! Loved it!

As mentioned by Gutmon, we went skiing at the Brainerd Arboretum on Sunday. Conditions were beautiful, sunny and 10 degrees when we started. The Arboretum is a very nice piece of property and the trails are great. Ron posted a couple of pics in the General Discussion forum.

The day before, my son and I skied and snowshoed at Pillsbury State Forest, a spectacular forest, about 15 miles from Brainerd. It was Minnesota's first established State Forest area and now it's over 15,000 sq acres, contains about 50 acres of old growth forest (red pine and oak), black bear, wolves, coyote, fox, deer, owls, eagles, ospreys, mink, fisher, rabbit, etc.

Here's a few pics of my son from our day at Pillsbury.







Finn started a small fire by himself with his new firesteel firestarter and we warmed up on a break during our snowshoe.

4th trip out to Spidahl's in 3 days. Needed to take advantage of the perfect conditions, so did around 14k today -- Speedy's, Uf Da, Chick's Bopp, and Deer Meadow trails. Dave had been out grooming again this morning, but had to quit because it was getting too warm. First loop was perfect, using a Blue Extra wax. By noon, it was getting softer and Violet did the trick for a while. My 3rd and 4th loops were pretty tough to get any grip and I hadn't brought my Red wax... 34 degrees. Some howling south winds, but nice in the woods. Dave's dogs joined me for a run on Uff Da.

If anyone is looking for a perfect spot for xc skiing in the Perham-Fergus Falls area, look up Spidahl's.