December 16, 2010 Explore Minnesota Winter Trails Report
In general, fair to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can now be found throughout the entire state of Minnesota, with excellent conditions for skiing and snowmobiling at Nerstrand Big Woods and Frontenac state parks in southeastern Minnesota.
A Snowmobile State Trail sticker is required for all snowmobiles operating on state or grant-in-aid trails. All cross-country skiers on state park or forest ski trails, or on state or grant-in-aid trails, who are 16 years old or older must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. Please note that a new state law requires nonresidents to have Recreational Vehicle trail passes beginning January 1, 2010 if using state or grant-in-aid trails. For further information, contact the Department of Natural Resources, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-888-646-6367. To order cross-country ski passes and snowmobile trail stickers, dial 1-888-665-4236 or access the DNR Online License Sales web site. To locate a license center in Minnesota to purchase ski passes and snowmobile stickers, check out DNR License Agents.
Northeast Region
International Falls
The Koochiching State Forest Tilson Creek ski trails are in good condition. The trails have a 2-3 inch partially groomed surface. Local snow depth is 15 inches.
Side Lake - north of Hibbing
The ski trails at McCarthy Beach State Park have been groomed and have a very nice track. The ski trail base averages 4 inches. The park snowmobile trails are reported to be in good shape for riding, however the swamps are not yet frozen - please use caution. Approximately 1 foot of snow covers the ground at McCarthy Beach State Park. Please note that new snow covers unstable lake ice, therefore lake travel may not be safe for some time.
Ely
The Ely vicinity has roughly 15 inches of snow on the ground. Overall, most snowmobile trails are packed and open, but in poor condition, with a 1-2 inch base. Snowmobilers are encouraged to stay off the lakes until there is 9 inches of solid ice. The Hidden Valley, Birch Lake Plantation, Babbitt Golf Course, and Trezona cross-country ski trails are groomed and in excellent condition, with a 6 inch base. Most user tracked trails in the Ely area are cleared, packed and skiable, however need more snow to cover any rocky areas. The Bear Head Lake State Park cross-country ski trails are groomed and in very good condition, with a 5 inch base. Area snowcover is roughly 15 inches. The snowmobile trails are ungroomed, with a 2 inch base, and in fair condition. Please note that trail conditions can change on a daily basis. Please call ahead for the most current trail conditions.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
Up the Gunflint Trail, the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trail has been groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The trail base measure 2-4 inches. The Banadad Trail has a 14 inch surface where rolled, with a total of 20 inches of snow on the ground. The Lace Lake Trail is tracked 6 kilometers, and the Tall Pines and Banadad trails are rolled 11.2 kilometers. Along the Upper Gunflint Ski Trail, the groomers report more than 12 inches of snow on the ground, with a 6 inch packed trail base.
Two Harbors
Poor conditions are reported for skiing and snowmobiling at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The trails are rolled above the highway and a single preliminary track has been set, but there isn't enough snow to fully groom. Expect some bare and icy patches. No work has been done on the lake side of the highway yet. The trail base measures roughly 2 inches, with a mere 3-5 inches of snow on the ground. Visitors are enjoying the frozen waterfalls and wispy strands of fog rising from the lake around sunrise.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The majority of the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail is reported to be groomed and in good condition. The trail base is 3-6 inches, with 7-17 inches of snow on the ground. Swamps, creeks, and rivers are beginning to freeze causing icy conditions - more snow is needed to cover these areas. Please use caution while riding, and note that conditions can change rapidly due to use.
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
Cross-country ski trail conditions at Scenic State Park are very good. Most of the trails are packed and groomed, with a 4 inch base - the two low-lying, swampy sections of ski trail have not yet been groomed. The snowmobile trail loop that runs through the park remains closed. Approximately 9 inches of snow covers the ground at Scenic State Park. The nearby Golden Anniversary State Forest Cow Horn and River Road cross-country ski trails were last groomed on December 10, and trails are in good condition, with a 1-3 inch base. Local snow depth is 3 inches.
Sandstone
Banning State Park ski trails have a 3 inch partially groomed surface, and skiers report fair conditions. Conditions for area snowmobile trails are fair, and the trails have a 2 inch groomed surface. A snowmobile parking lot is available at nearby Banning Junction Restaurant & C-Store. Local snow depth is roughly 10 inches. At nearby Moose Lake State Park, trails are partially groomed, and conditions are reported to be good. Snowcover at the park measures roughly 1 foot.
Northwest Region
Williams - northwest of Baudette
Zippel Bay State Park is covered in just over one foot of snow. The trails have an 8 inch base. The snowmobile trails have not yet been groomed.
Lake Bronson - east of Hallock
Lake Bronson State Park ski trails are groomed and in very good condition. The snowmobile trails are reported to be in good condition. Just over 1 foot of snow covers the ground.
Bemidji
Lake Bemidji State Park currently offers very good conditions for cross-country skiing. The ski trails are groomed, and have a 2 inch base. The snowmobile trails also have a 2 inch groomed surface, and conditions are good. Local snow depth is approximately 8 inches.
Lake Itasca - north of Park Rapids
The ski trails at Itasca State Park are partially packed and tracked for classic and skate skiing, and conditions are reported to be good for most of the trails. The base measures roughly 2 inches. Conditions are reported to be poor for the snowmobile trails. Roughly 8 inches of snow covers the ground in this area.
Moorhead
Buffalo River State Park cross-country ski trails have been downgraded to poor to fair condition due to high winds. The trails should be regroomed this Saturday, December 18, which should result in improved conditions. The trail base measures 4 inches. The sliding hill has been packed, and is in fair to good condition. The ground is covered in roughly 1 foot of snow.
Central Region
McGregor
Conditions for skiing within Savanna Portage State Park are very good. The trails have a 3 inch base, and have been fully groomed. There are more than 20 miles of ski trails within the park and adjoining Remote Lake Solitude Area. The snowmobile trails are open and packed, but some wet areas still need to freeze. Trail conditions range from poor to good. Local snow depth is approximately 10 inches.
Pelican Rapids
Maplewood State Park offers 8 kilometers of packed ski trails, however except some drifting and bare spots in the open areas. Conditions are reported to be fair. The trail base measures 1-3 inches, and roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground.
Brainerd Lakes Area
Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers are out enjoying the trails at Crow Wing State Park. The ski trails are currently in fair condition, and snowmobile trails are in good condition. Both trails have a 1 inch base. Roughly 7 inches of snow covers the ground in the park. The Pine Beach ski trails are groomed and in fair condition, with 8 inches of snowcover along the trails. Riders are asked to please stay off area lakes, streams, and rivers since the ice is very thin under the snow.
Onamia
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park ski trails have been groomed, and are in fair condition. The trail base measures approximately 1 inch. The snowmobile trails remain in poor condition. More snow is needed to improve conditions. Local snow depth is 7 inches.
New London -north of Willmar
All ski trails at Sibley State Park have been groomed, and there is a 6 inch base. Conditions are reported to be good. The snowmobile trails are ungroomed and in fair condition. The sliding hill has also been groomed and is ready for use. Approximately 16 inches of snow covers the ground at Sibley. Nearby, Glacial Lakes State Trail should be fully groomed by the weekend for snowmobiling. The trail base currently measures 2-4 inches, with nearly 2 feet of snow on the ground. Conditions are reported to be good.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Marine on St. Croix - north of Stillwater
William O'Brien State Park ski trails are open. All classic and skate ski trails are mostly groomed and in good condition, with a 9-10 inch base. Most of the traditional ski trails have been tracked. More than 13 inches of snow covers the ground at William O'Brien. Hikers, snowshoers, and pets are allowed on the River Trail only.
St. Paul/Stillwater
The Gateway State Trail has been packed for skiing, but no track has been set. The base is roughly 10 inches thick, with snowcover measuring 20 inches. The section from Cayuga to Hwy 12 is in the process or being plowed. Crews will begin to pack and set track on the eastern portion of the trail once this has been completed. Parking lots are at 55th Avenue and Hwy 96 - they have been cleared of snow, and parking is available.
Monticello -north of Buffalo
All Lake Maria State Park ski trails have been groomed and tracked. While the base is thin in a few scattered areas, overall conditions are very good. The base averages 2 inches, and snowcover is roughly 1 foot. There are 22 kilometers of classic ski trail, and 5 kilometers of skate ski trail within the park. In addition, 3 miles of packed trail are available for winter hiking and snowshoeing, and there are ski-in camper cabins and secluded log cabins with wood stoves for rent. Reserve on-line or at 1-866-857-2757.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright county parks
Most traditional and skate ski trails within the Three Rivers Park District are packed, tracked and in good condition, including at Baker Park Reserve in Maple Plain, Carver Park Reserve in Victoria, Cleary Lake Regional Park in Prior Lake, Eagle Lake Regional Park in Plymouth, Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove, French Regional Park in Plymouth, Glen Lake Golf Course in Minnetonka, and Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington. Trails at Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve in Savage are in poor to fair condition. The sliding hill is open at Hyland Lake Park Reserve. For the most current trail conditions, dial 763/559-6778. Please note that high school Nordic ski races are held in some parks during the winter season - skiers are asked to check the race schedule prior to planning an outing. Rentals are available at many of the parks within the Three Rivers Park District - please call ahead to secure equipment rental.
Jordan/Shakopee/Chaska
The Minnesota State Trail, running through the Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, is groomed and open for snowmobiling, however all snowmobiles must stay on the marked trail as it travels through some private property. The base measures 2 inches and conditions are reported to be good. The ski trail which follows the hiking trail in the Lawrence Unit is in fair condition, but ungroomed. Local snow depth is more than a foot.
Southern Region
Northfield
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park ski and snowmobile trails are tracked and packed and in excellent condition. The base on both trails measures roughly 8 inches. There is a total of 30 inches of snow on the ground in this area.
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park received from one to one and one-half feet of snow last weekend. All cross country ski trails have been groomed and tracked, and the snowmobile trail has also been groomed. Both trails offer excellent conditions, with a 5-6 inch base. The sledding hill has been packed and it is in excellent condition. Snowshoes can be rented, and conditions should be excellent. Area snowcover is roughly one and one-half feet.
Preston
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park ski trails are reported to be in fair condition, and ungroomed. The snowmobile trails are also ungroomed, but reported to be in good condition. Repairs are being made to the grooming equipment, and staff hope to have all trails completely groomed before the weekend. The base of the trails is 6 inches, and roughly 14 inches of snow covers the ground. Nearby, the Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails are groomed and in excellent condition for skiing. More than a foot of snowcover is being reported.
Winona
Great River Bluffs State Park cross-country ski trails remained ungroomed and in fair condition - the park's grooming equipment is unable to pack and track the trails due to deep snow and drifts. Larger equipment will arrive on December 20 to pack and groom. Local snow depth is approximately 20 inches.
Waterville - west of Faribault
Sakatah Lake State Park offers very good conditions for skiing, and fair conditions for snowmobiling. The ski trail is groomed, with a trail base measuring 15 inches. The snowmobile trail is ungroomed, with an unknown trail base. More than 2 feet of snow covers the ground in this area. The Sakatah Singing Hills State Trail that runs through the park currently offers good conditions for skiing, and fair conditions for snowmobiling. The ski trail has been groomed, and the snowmobile trail is partially groomed. The base of the trails runs 1-4 inches. Snow depth ranges from 10-16 inches.
Fairfax - northwest of New Ulm
Fort Ridgely State Park ski trails have been groomed, and are in excellent condition. A 6 inch base covers these trails, and 10 inches of snow is on the ground. Snowmobile riders report very good conditions, and a 5 inch base. These trails have also been groomed.
Watson - northwest of Montevideo
Snow fall this week has really improved conditions at Lac qui Parle State Park. The ski trails were packed and tracked last Sunday. They have a 7 inch base, and conditions are very good. Local snow depth is 10 inches. Grooming will continue with the additional mid-week accumulation.
Currie -north of Slayton
Lake Shetek State Park snowmobile trails are in good condition, with a 2 inch base. The trails are groomed, and local snow depth is just over 1 foot. Parts of the snowmobile trail running through Lake Shetek State Park have been closed for the season due to construction.
