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gravelroad	10/19/2020 06:58PM   It's coming. :-) Some gated forest roads might be skiable after this week: "SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday night) Issued at 435 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2020 "A broad area of stratus caused by a shortwave has been leading to areas of flurries this afternoon. These flurries are expected to continue into the evening before tapering off tonight as high pressure moves across north central Wisconsin. Low temps tonight remain chilly, with temps dropping to the mid teens and low 20s. "The main story will be a broad area of accumulating snow expected to impact the CWA late tomorrow morning through the evening. Low pressure propagates towards the area Tuesday morning. Favorable forcing will be provided via a shortwave and jet streak, both of which will be centered over the the Dakotas by tomorrow afternoon. The divergence aloft created by these two features will interact with moisture advection provided via the LLJ at 850mb. Since the CWA will be within the cold sector of this system, snow is expected to be the dominant precip type. However, slightly warmer temps in northwest Wisconsin may lead to more of a rain/snow mix in the early afternoon. "Accumulations from this system are expected to range from 2 to 5 inches across much of the CWA. The 12z runs of the global ensembles show a congregation of members around the 3-4" mark. Current confidence in the storm track place these values of accumulation from the Brainerd Lakes area to the Twin Ports and along the North Shore. Accumulations near the International Border and areas directly near the lake will likely see lower amounts, with 1-3" possible. Localized areas in northwest WI that see slightly warmer temps may also see snow transitioning to a rain/snow mix, which will reduce accumulations by about an inch. "Also of note will be the potential for lake effect snow development in the higher terrain of the North Shore. Winds are likely to shift southeasterly ahead of the low pressure, which may lead to snow development starting along the North Shore as early as Tuesday morning. East-Southeast winds are expected to continue throughout the day, which will continue the chance of lake effect snow well into the evening. Additional snowfall caused by lake effect and orographic forcing may raise accumulations by roughly 2 inches in the higher elevations. "LONG TERM...(Wednesday through Monday) Issued at 435 PM CDT Mon Oct 19 2020 "Tuesday`s system is likely to exit the area by Wednesday morning, with an area of high pressure developing by the afternoon. Temperatures on Wednesday remain below normal as a pattern of large- scale troughing continues. A brief respite from the below normal temps may occur Thursday in northwest WI as weak ridging sets up ahead of the next storm system expected to move across the area on Thursday. "Thursday`s system is currently looking to be an interesting one, given the potentially favorable forcing provided via a 500mb trough and the right entrance of a jet streak. Warm air advection over northwest Wisconsin might raise high temps into the upper 40s, which might lead to the development of thunderstorms. Meanwhile, northeast Minnesota is likely to remain cooler, which may lead to another round of accumulating snow. This system will be something to keep an eye on over the next few days. "The pattern for the remainder of the week will see large scale troughing causing below normal temperatures. The next storm system after Thursday might potentially be Sunday night into Monday. However, global guidance at this time is showing the low tracking just south of our area." NWS Duluth Forecast Discussion, 10/19/2020
NotLight	10/21/2020 08:52AM   I skied my little 1k loop in the park by my house in the cities last night and this morning. The snow was surprisingly fast. Next stop will be Crow Wing State Park if any snow hangs around - wide mowed trails and so you don’t need much snow. I gave up jogging officially this year, so I anticipate little aches and pains as I get going.
jwartman59	10/26/2020 07:28PM   Per my son, snowflake is open and the trails are very fast
Banksiana	04/04/2021 04:18PM   Probable end of season. Skated yesterday on 1/4" of slush on the lake, rilled skis, blistering fast with the wind. Put storage wax on all the skis but the rilled skate boards- though it is unlikely that a skiable surface will show up in the few days remaining of "safe" ice. -Sigh-
Banksiana	11/25/2020 03:55PM   First lake ski. Skated the edges of nearby lakes. Fairly good conditions, a little slick. Fun rather than wise.
3Ball	01/08/2021 06:47PM   I skied 8 times over the Christmas / New Year break. None since. No snow in the forecast, but I guess its time to work with what we have.
3Ball	01/08/2021 06:47PM
Banksiana	01/08/2021 07:46PM   I've been skiing every day since 11/25 with three exceptions. Trails are a little thin on snow, but Hidden Valley is in very good condition. The North Arm Trails are a bit boney, especially within a mile of the parking lot- a little challenging to get back to the car. That being said there is good trail all the way to Cummings.
3Ball	01/09/2021 11:14AM   Banksiana -- do the North Arm trails go that far or are you taking the lake down to the portage to Cummings?
egknuti	01/09/2021 04:58PM   The trail goes all the way to Cummings. There are two trails that can take you there. The “Bog Trail” is the most common way to get to Cummings. Most people loop around to Silaca Lake and back to the main trail. I was out there last week and there was a lot of slush on Silaca.
Banksiana	10/30/2020 10:40AM   Cut tracks through Fenske Campground yesterday. Surprisingly fast and free of grit. Managed some distance but it took a lot of laps.
3Ball	01/10/2021 11:02AM   Thanks guys. My place in Ely is all torn apart this year, but I have booked a couple days at Du Nord in February and am looking forward to exploring this option.
Banksiana	01/09/2021 05:26PM   As egknuti noted the North Arm Trails go all the way to Cummings. The trail to Cummings is gorgeous. The lakes are loaded with slush but there is good trail through the slush on Coxey, Silica and the creeks. The bog trail is well skied in and the Fire Trail is broken though there is no return broken on Cummings. I generally stick to the bog trail because it is so pretty. The Bog Trail/Cummings/Korb Creek/Silica loop was so nice today I skied it twice. Dog is wiped.