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12/19/2014 06:57PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
December 19 updates:

BANADAD (uses MN state ski pass):
Sixteen kilometers of the eastern end of Banadad Trails Tracked
SNOW DEPTH IN WOODS: 18"
COMPACTED BASE ON TRAIL: 14"
NEW SNOW PAST 24 HOURS: 0
NEW SNOW PAST 7 DAYS : 11 1/2"
Great skiing; the fresh snow really help cover much of the center stubble that was showing through.
bct@boundarycountry.com

CENTRAL system accessed through Golden EagLe Lodge or Bearskin Lodge
(they sell a pass for that system)
Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 12-19-14

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0”
New Snow Last 7 days: 11.0”
Trail Base, Staked: Varies
Snow in Woods, Staked: Low: 12” / High: 17”
Groomed with classic tracks: 39.5 K
Groomed for skating: 29.5 K
Packed only: 30.5 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh packed powder
Last grooming day: 12-18-14
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 35.75”

Comments: It is time! With much enthusiasm, we are delighted to publish the Central Gunflint Ski System’s first ski trail report for the 2014-15 ski season! The snowstorm on December 16th and 17th dropped approximately 11 inches of snow in our area and gave us an opportunity to get a huge jumpstart on grooming after about a month packing in a trail base. The majority of the ski trails are groomed and set with either double classic tracks or with a classic track and skate lane. Summer Home Road, Campground Loop, Deer Mouse, and Red Pines particularly are in excellent shape, providing great conditions normally not seen this early in the season. There are still a couple trails that, due to the rocky terrain they traverse, are snowmobile packed only. With a bit more snow, these will ready to be groomed shortly.

With more snow in the forecast for this week, trail conditions can change daily. Please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) for the most up to date conditions and grooming information on each trail or route. Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.

--Total Snowfall--

November Total 2014 – 14.25 inches

December
Dec 1 – Dec 7: 1.75 inches
Dec 8 – Dec 14: 8.75 inches
Dec 16: 4 inches
Dec 17: 7 inches
December Total 2014 – 21.50 inches

Total Snowfall 2014-2015– 35.75 inches

UPPER GUNFLINT (Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines, Heston's)
(they all sell one pass for the Upper Gunflint)

nothing neat and tidy like the above, hopefully that will come in the next day or so.

75% of the upper gunflint trails are packed and track-set for classic skiing on one side and skating on the other side.

sign of lynx, big moose, little moose, bunnies, wolves, deer, mice, and one woodpecker.
 
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12/19/2014 09:45PM  
Wow,we got 1 inch of snow down in the Mille lacs country.
18 inches on the Gunflint. Must be beautiful up there now.
 
12/19/2014 10:59PM  
Mocha-

Can you recommend a place to stay during next week that is relatively close to the trails, skier friendly, not too expensive and fitting for someone traveling solo.

Thanks!
 
12/20/2014 05:28AM  
you could try:

Boundary Country Trekking/Poplar Creek Guest House 800-527-0554
Gunflint Pines 800-533-5814
Trail Center 218-388-2214

Not knowing what "not too expensive" means :) there are several places open for winter that might still have availability but might be $$$.

also, Tuscarora has cabins open but you'd need to drive to any of the trail heads.
 
12/27/2014 07:35AM  
here's the latest update for the central system which is Golden Eagle Lodge and Bearskin Lodge.

Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 12-26-14

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0”
New Snow Last 7 days: 3.5”
Trail Base, Staked: Varies
Snow in Woods, Staked: Low: 12” / High: 17”
Groomed with classic tracks: 68.5 K
Groomed for skating: 51.8 K
Packed Only: 1.5 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh packed powder
Last grooming day: 12-25-14
Snowshoe trail: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 39.25”

Comments: There is snow on the Gunflint Trail! All our ski trails have been freshly groomed as of December 24th and 25th. Conditions are very good to excellent on the majority of the trail system. Trails are groomed for skate and classic skiing.

 
12/27/2014 08:23AM  
Thanks for the reports.
 
12/29/2014 06:51AM  
ENTIRE BANADAD SKI TRAIL SYSTEM TRACK- GREAT SKIING!
SNOW DEPTH IN WOODS: 16"
BANADAD TRAIL

COMPACTED BASE ON TRAIL: 13"
NEW SNOW PAST 24 HOURS: 0
NEW SNOW PAST 7 DAYS : 1-2"

While the Lace Lake, Tall Pines, Knopp and eastern of the Banadad were previously tracked, the entire 31 kilometers of the Banadad was tracked yesterday. The groomer meet quite a few skier out on the trail. The trail is in pretty good shape for this time of year. There still is some center stubble showing through the snow, particularly on the trail's western end.
The first Banadad through skier, for this year's season, also occurred yesterday when a skier from Duluth completed the entire 31 kilometers of the Banadad in just over three hours. Not a bad time.
bct@boundarycountry.com

Boundary Country Trekking/Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B
800-322-8327 218-388-4487
11 Poplar Creek Drive
Grand Marais MN 55604
 
12/29/2014 09:54AM  
New snow last 24 hours: Dusting
New snow last 7 days: 2 inches
Trail Base: 3-7 inches
Trail conditions: Great skiing. Hard fast trails this morning.

Comments: 90% of trail system open and tracked. Amperage run remains closed. We are trying something new. We’ve created a google calendar to record changes in the grooming and trail conditions. Check gunflint snow calendar for current updates on trail grooming conditions. There is also a snow report that can be accessed from that page.
 
01/05/2015 01:54PM  
Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 1-4-15
(Golden Eagle and Bearskin lodges)

New Snow Last 24 hours: 5.0”
New Snow Last 7 days: 7.0”
Trail Base, Staked: 6” - 7” average
Snow in Woods, Staked: Low 13” High 17”
Groomed with classic tracks: 70 K
Groomed for skating: 53.4 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh packed powder
Last grooming day: 1-4-15
Snowshoe trails: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 46.25”


Comments: We received a total of 5 inches of snow from the storm on January 3rd and a total of 7 inches since the morning of January 1st. Both groomers have been hard at work grooming in the fresh snow as it was coming down yesterday and again today for the final touches. The new snowfall has helped immensely to level out a few remaining uneven areas on select trails as well as to add to the quickly growing trail base, now averaging between 6 and 7 inches in depth. All trails are groomed and open - conditions continue to be fantastic for both skate and classic skiing; you can't ask for a much better snow situation than what we've received so far this season.

Please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) for specific conditions and grooming information on each trail or route. Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.


Snow Totals

November Total 2014 – 14.25 inches

December
Dec 1 – Dec 7: 1.75 inches
Dec 8 – Dec 14: 8.75 inches
Dec 15 – Dec 21: 11.0 inches
Dec 22 – Dec 28: 3.5 inches
Dec 29 – Dec 31: 0 inches
December Total 2014 – 25.00 inches

January
Jan 1 – 1.1 inches
Jan 2 – 0.9 inches
Jan 3 – 5.0 inches
January Total 2015 – 7.00 inches


Total Snowfall 2014-2015 – 46.25 inches


UPPER GUNFLINT ski system
(Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines, Heston's)

the system was groomed entirely Saturday night and Sunday.
(with the exception of South Rim and Amperage Run trails)
 
01/26/2015 09:36PM  
the gunflint trail area received several fresh inches of snow today. the groomer is going out tonight to groom about 30k and doing the remaining 60K tomorrow morning.

the trails are incredible right now!
 
02/10/2015 04:32PM  
BANADAD report

Snowed the last two days; added another 5 inches of snow. Tracked the Banadad yesterday. More snow on the way this afternoon; plan to re-trail the trail on Wednesday after the snow subsides.
East end
trails were re-tracked during our last snow but there has been many people skiing on this section of the trail system so there still is a good track. Great snow conditions and excellent skiing

MEASURED SNOW DEPTH : 24"
COMPACTED SNOW BASE ON TRAIL: 19"
NEW SNOW PAST 24 HOURS: 5"- more on the way!

Minnesota State Ski Pass required for the Banadad.
 
02/10/2015 05:42PM  
Brainerd area snow base is now 2-3 inches after are heaviest snow fall since November.

Mocha thanks for the updates,sounds nice up there. My nephew and his wife are up there now and I know they are having a good time and caught some rainbow trout today.
 
02/11/2015 03:27PM  
Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 2-10-15

New Snow Last 24 hours: 0”
New Snow Last 7 days: 3.88”
Trail Base, Staked: 10” - 12.5” average
Snow in Woods, Staked: Low 19” High 22”
Groomed with classic tracks: 70 K
Groomed for skating: 53.4 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh Packed Powder
Last grooming day: 2-8-15
Snowshoe trails: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 60.43”

Comments: Ski trails are in excellent shape! Our trail base is now averaging between 10” and 12.5” thick; nice and solid too. We added nearly 4 inches of snow over the past weekend and more is forecasted for today. Winter is in full swing on the Gunflint!

Please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) for specific conditions and grooming information on each trail or route. Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.
 
02/11/2015 03:28PM  
quote Pinetree: "Brainerd area snow base is now 2-3 inches after are heaviest snow fall since November.


Mocha thanks for the updates,sounds nice up there. My nephew and his wife are up there now and I know they are having a good time and caught some rainbow trout today."


pinetree, they are having a great time no matter where they are on the Trail, we got a nice snowfall all day and night yesterday and today it's blustery. we're in for -30's tonight.
do you know where they were trying for fish?
 
02/24/2015 01:14PM  
Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 2-24-15

New Snow Last 24 hours: 2.25”
New Snow Last 7 days: 4.30”
Trail Base, Staked: 12.5” -13” average
Snow in Woods, Staked: Average 22” / High 24”
Groomed with classic tracks: 70 K
Groomed for skating: 53.4 K
Surface Conditions: Packed Powder
Last grooming day: 2-21-15
Snowshoe trails: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 69.88”

Comments: All ski trails continue to be in great shape with fresh snow falling every couple of days. We are expecting colder weather mid-week this week with highs around 0 degrees through Thursday evening, warming by Friday… the moderate weekend temperatures should make for a very enjoyable time on the trails. Today, we are experiencing a lot of blowing snow; expect freshly groomed trails tomorrow, February 25th.

As always, please contact Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) or Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) for specific conditions and grooming information on each trail or route. Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.


Snow Totals

November Total 2014 – 14.25 inches

December
Dec 1 – Dec 7: 1.75 inches
Dec 8 – Dec 14: 8.75 inches
Dec 15 – Dec 21: 11.0 inches
Dec 22 – Dec 28: 3.5 inches
Dec 29 – Dec 31: 0 inches
December Total 2014 – 25.00 inches

January
Jan 1 – Jan 4: 7.0 inches
Jan 5 – Jan 11: 1.0 inches
Jan 12 – Jan 18: 2.55 inches
Jan 19 – Jan 25: 2.25 inches
Jan 26 – Jan 31: 4.5 inches
January Total 2015 – 17.30 inches

February
Feb 1 – Feb 8: 3.88 inches
Feb 9 – Feb 15: 4.90 inches
Feb 16 – Feb 22: 2.30 inches
Feb 24: 2.25 inches
February Total 2015 – 13.33 inches

Total Snowfall 2014-2015 – 69.88 inches


BANADAD state trail:

Banadad, Lace Lake, and Tall Pines were re-tracked 2/22. The groomer found drifting snow and he got stuck in a snow drift in a open area cause by the Meads Lake prescribed burn.
• MEASURED SNOW DEPTH :25"
• COMPACTED SNOW BASE ON TRAIL: 22"
 
03/05/2015 08:48AM  
Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on 3-4-15

New Snow Last 24 hours: 2.63”
New Snow Last 7 days: 2.63”
Trail Base, Staked: 13.5” average
Snow in Woods, Staked: Low 24” / High 28”
Groomed with classic tracks: 70 K
Groomed for skating: 53.4 K
Surface Conditions: Fresh Packed Powder
Last grooming day: 3-4-15
Snowshoe trails: Open
Total snowfall since Nov. 1: 72.50”

Comments: We received a little over 2.5” of fresh snow yesterday; all trails have been freshly groomed again today, March 4th. Beautiful “March” weather is expected in the upcoming days and through the weekend with temperatures in the mid to upper 20’s – what wonderful conditions to spend your time outside skiing! Trail conditions are still fantastic, both for skate skiing and classic skiing!

Please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203) for specific conditions and grooming information on each trail or route. Central Gunflint Ski Pass Required.
 
schweady
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03/05/2015 10:42AM  
This looks perfect! Wish I lived closer. Our recent 3 inches may not last long in this weekend's klister weather.
 
03/08/2015 08:09AM  
it snowed some yesterday and today. the groomer was out on the upper gunflint system. there is a LOT of snow. today is the annual lake trout derby on gunflint lake. a few hours of crazy snowmobile noise and fisher-people.

we'll probably be skiing well into April. ;(
 
03/08/2015 09:02AM  
quote Mocha: "it snowed some yesterday and today. the groomer was out on the upper gunflint system. there is a LOT of snow. today is the annual lake trout derby on gunflint lake. a few hours of crazy snowmobile noise and fisher-people.


we'll probably be skiing well into April. ;("


Let us know how the fish derby turns out. Hope to make it up next week or the following for some winter camping.
 
NotLight
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11/15/2015 06:58PM  

Not to jinx it, but skiing in less than a month how, I hope. Waiting for the next snow report....

 
12/15/2015 06:15PM  
soon?
 
NotLight
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12/16/2015 08:34AM  
quote Pinetree: "soon?"


No. I apparently jinxed it. But I think if I just start riding my crossbike/road bike after work with the headlights on for excercise, and get out in the canoe this werkend, I can unjinx it we'll get a dump of snow.



 
12/16/2015 03:51PM  
I gave up waiting and routed my travel through West Yellowstone. Great snow, great trails and inexpensive lodging.
 
NotLight
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12/16/2015 03:58PM  
quote Banksiana: "I gave up waiting and routed my travel through West Yellowstone. Great snow, great trails and inexpensive lodging. "


Oh, that stings! I got to ski in Frisco CO every other weekend last year when I was working out there - it's painful to look at the city webcam now and see all the snow :(


 
12/16/2015 06:40PM  
the upper gunflint ski system MIGHT get some tracks on some trails tomorrow. a few things could put a damper on that: we need at least 6 more inches of snow tonight, would be nice to have less moisture in it.

just guessing, but i bet bearskin and golden eagle lodges get their groomers out tonight or tomorrow. that area of the trail usually gets more snow than the upper trail.
 
12/18/2015 06:40PM  
i don't have photos of the actual tracks but the upper gunflint system has about 40km groomed for classic and skating just for this weekend. we have a xxski team up for two nights to get in some skiing. i would guess it will all be groomed again sunday night or monday depending on snowfall tonite and sunday.


we still have 3 trails not open due to numerous downed trees.


come on up! between the bearskin/golden eagle system and the upper gunflint there is plenty of trails!


ps.. the groomer found a few swampy patches not frozen yet!
 
12/24/2015 01:52PM  
ski trail grooming dec 24, 2015.

this is my first attempt at uploading to you tube... i sent my camera along with the passenger in the groomer and was surprised this video is as clear as it is.

we got about 5 inches of wet heavy snow overnight, it's supposed to get to about 10 or 15 tonight so the trails should set up pretty good.

this is how several of the trails looked this morning. the snow is so heavy it bends the brush down. the groomer can knock the snow off and sometimes the brush pops back up, but mostly we'll have to go through the trails and cut the brush back, throw it off the trail and then the groomer has to go out and reset the trail.

 
schweady
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12/25/2015 03:38PM  
quote Mocha: " ski trail grooming dec 24, 2015.


this is my first attempt at uploading to you tube... i sent my camera along with the passenger in the groomer and was surprised this video is as clear as it is.
"

Nice. Funny how a short video clip provides a better feel for the true conditions than a still.
 
12/25/2015 04:26PM  
You are absolutely correct! it's not the quietest machine to ride in for hours and hours, but it's a great way to see all the trails. some are too "advanced" for me so i'm happy to see them from the groomer.

i gave the groomer guy my go pro to attached somewhere on the machine but that hasn't happened yet.

conditions are pretty good considering the amount of snowfall.
 
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