Just got in from tracking my trails in the back woods for the first time this year. Between work, travels and being sick I haven't been able to get out until now. Very nice- 23 degrees with about 6 inches of snow on the ground and snow on all the trees and brush. Hope to get out onto some groomed trails in the next day or two.

no groomed trails over here on the gunflint trail, with the exception of the east bearskin campground... bearskin lodge has been able to maintain some groomed trails through it.

I called Spidahl's last night and Dave's recording of Sunday said that the trails were 'surprisingly good, even after Saturday's rain.' So, the kids are throwing in the skis for their trip up here this weekend. Sure glad we picked out small Christmas presents for them this year!

Looks like I might have to go south in order to ski! Lots of snow down there today.

Skate skiing on the lakes around Ely is fair to excellent. You could classic as well, no enough for the trails yet though and have to walk the portages.

the Upper Gunflint system is mainly groomed for classic skiing. about 75% of the trails are groomed with tracks. we NEED snow!!
upper gunflint

Gunflint Trail systems

the Banadad is the only trail system up here that uses the State Pass. the Central Gunflint and Upper Gunflint are not part of the state system and get no funding from the state or federal government and actually pay the government so we maintain and groom the trails. it's no money maker, that's for sure!!!

day pass is $12 per adult age 16 and older, $6 per youth 6-12.

Skied the Arboretum in Brainerd today. Very nice conditions for only a little snow. The skate lanes had been re-corduroyed although the classic tracks were original from the first snow and grooming. An inch of fresh snow and the trails would be in 5-star shape.

We got that fresh inch overnight, so hope to get out again this afternoon.

decent skiing in the cities, though i think they are going to be trashed again in the next couple of days. hennepin county parks (three rivers park district) are expert at trail grooming.