Good to excellent cross-country ski and snowmobile trail conditions can be found throughout the northern half of Minnesota, with fair to good conditions throughout the southern half of the state. Temperatures will rise through the weekend with a chance of snow on Saturday. This should be a wonderful weekend for all outdoor activities.
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[Northeast] [Northwest] [Central] [Twin Cities] [Southern]
Northeast Region
Grand Rapids/Bigfork
The Cow Horn Road and River Road ski trails running through Golden Anniversary State Forest have been groomed, and trail conditions are reported to be good. The trail base measures 7-9 inches thick. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot. The portion of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail which runs through the area has been groomed and conditions are good. The trail base measures 3-6 inches.
The Cow Horn Road and River Road ski trails running through Golden Anniversary State Forest have been groomed, and trail conditions are reported to be good. The trail base measures 7-9 inches thick. Local snow depth is roughly 1 foot. The portion of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail which runs through the area has been groomed and conditions are good. The trail base measures 3-6 inches.
Ely
Total snow accumulation in the Ely vicinity is 12-24 inches. Several inches of fresh snow and colder temperatures have vastly improved trail conditions. Most snowmobile trails are in good to very good condition. Area lakes have some frozen ruts making travel by lake a bit rough at times. The Tower to Ely section of the Taconite State Snowmobile Trail has been groomed and conditions are very good. The trail base measures 1-4 inches. Similar conditions are reported for the Arrowhead State Snowmobile Trail, as well as most other snowmobile trails in the area. At Bear Head Lake State Park, most of the ski trails are icy and in poor conditions due to recent rain and warm temperatures which melted and compressed the snow. These trails have a 1-4 inch base. The snowmobile trails, however, are groomed with a 1-5 inch base. Riders report very good conditions. The Babbitt Golf Course and Birch Lake Plantation ski trails are groomed, and skiers report excellent conditions.
Grand Marais/Gunflint Trail
In Cook County, just outside of Grand Marais up the Gunflint Trail, the Pincushion Mountain cross-country ski trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. The trails have a 20 inch base with great conditions reported. As of Jan. 25, the snowmobile trails in the Gunflint Trail vicinity were groomed and in great shape, with an 8-12 inch base.
Silver Bay/Two Harbors
Tettegouche State Park is covered in a foot and a half of snow away from Lake Superior, with less than a foot near the lake. The ski trails are partially groomed and in good shape with an 8 inch base. Area snowmobile trails have a 6 inch groomed surface, with good conditions reported. Just to the south, conditions are mostly fair for skiing and snowmobiling at Gooseberry Falls State Park due to ice under a thin snow base.
Duluth/Grand Marais
The northern section of the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Snowmobile Trail has a 4-6 inch base and it is in good condition from Finland to Grand Marais. The southern section is in fair condition, with a 1-4 inch base. The entire trail will be regroomed prior to the weekend. Local snow depth ranges from 8-23 inches.
Carlton
All ski trails at Jay Cooke State Park are groomed, and skiers report icy but fair conditions. The trails have a 4 inch base on average. The snowmobile trails are groomed with a 4 inch base, and conditions are considered good. Similar conditions are reported for the Willard Munger State Trail that runs through the area. Local snow depth ranges from 5-8 inches.
Northwest Region
Williams/northwest of Baudette
The ski and snowmobile trails at Zippel Bay State Park are groomed and in good condition. Both trails have a 5-6 inch base on average. More than a foot of snow covers the ground within the park.
Lake Bronson/far NW corner
The Lake Bronson State Park snowmobile trails are groomed, and conditions are considered fair. These trails have an 8 inch base on average. The ski trails have a similar base, but staff report very good conditions. Local snow depth is roughly 1 1/2 feet. Nearby, the snowmobile trails within Old Mill State Park are groomed and in very good shape. The trail base measures 8 inches.
Waskish
The snowmobile trail running through Big Bog State Recreation Area is groomed and in good condition with a 3 inch base. This trail runs all the way to Baudette. The trails running to Kelliher and Blackduck are also groomed. Riders report very good conditions. The ground is covered in roughly 1 foot of snow.
Walker
The northern section of the Paul Bunyan State Trail is in fair to good condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 2-3 inches, with 1 foot of snow on the ground.
Bemidji
The ski trails at Lake Bemidji State Park are freshly groomed, and conditions are described as excellent. The snowmobile trails have also been groomed, with very good conditions reported. Both trails have a 6 inch base on average. Area snow cover is 14 inches.
Lake Itasca, north of Park Rapids
Fresh snow has improved trail conditions at Itasca State Park. The ski trails are groomed and in good condition with a 4 inch base. The snowmobile trails are groomed and in fair condition with a 4 inch base. Roughly a foot of snow covers the ground in this area. Nearby, the snowmobile trails running through the La Salle Lake State Recreation Area are considered to be in very good condition. These trails have 5 inch groomed surface.
Central Region
Pelican Rapids/Ottertail/Battle Lake
Maplewood State Park is covered in 17 inches of snow. The ski and snowmobile trails have a 4 base, and conditions are considered fair to good. Additional snow will be required to set track and begin grooming.
Pequot Lakes
The Paul Bunyan State Trail is groomed and in fair condition for snowmobiling. The trail base measures 1-3 inches, with 6-10 inches of snow on the ground. Please note that it
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either icy and in poor condition or have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Twin Cities Greater Metropolitan Vicinity
Alma -east of North Branch
Wild River State Park is covered in roughly 5 inches of snow following this week's 4 inch snowfall. Park staff have packed and combed most of the trails. The trail base measures 1-2 inches, and conditions are considered fair. Ski and snowshoe rental are available at the Trail Center. Please call ahead for availability. 651/257-0685. Mark your calendar for this year's Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe on Saturday, February 11. Enjoy candlelit trails, music, stargazing, refreshments and our giant prairie bonfire! Reservations are recommended for equipment rentals. Before the event, check out Winter Fest in nearby North Branch.
Marine on St. Croix - north of Stillwater
The classic and skate ski trails at William O'Brien State Park should all be groomed by this weekend. Skiers report fair conditions overall. The trail base averages 3 inches, with 4 inches of snow on the ground. Skiers may also want to check out the Ice Castles in nearby Stillwater.
Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Scott and Wright counties
The Valley Trail and Lesson Area cross-country ski trails with manufactured snow at Elm Creek Park Reserve in Maple Grove are packed, tracked and in good condition for classic and skate skiing. A number of ski trails with man-made snow at Hyland Lake Park Reserve in Bloomington are packed, tracked and in good condition. The natural snow trails at all Three Rivers Park District Ski Trail and Sliding Hill Conditions are closed.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either icy and in poor condition or have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Southern Region
Frontenac -south of Red Wing
Frontenac State Park is covered in 8 inches of snow. All 9 miles of cross-country ski trails are groomed, and conditions are reported to be good. The trails have a 4 inch base.
Winona
The cross-country ski trails at Great River Bluffs State Park are packed and groomed, with very good conditions reported. Local snow cover is approximately 9 inches.
Preston/Harmony/Lanesboro
Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park offers fair conditions for snowmobiling. The trails have a 2 inch partially groomed surface. Local snow depth is roughly 8-9 inches. The Harmony-Preston Valley and Root River state trails are reported to be in good condition for skiing. These trails have a 2 inch partially groomed surface.
Albert Lea
The snowmobile trails running through Myre-Big Island State Park are partially groomed and in fair condition, with a 1-4 inch base. Local snow depth is 4-6 inches.
Most other ski and snowmobile trails in this region of the state are either icy and in poor condition or have been closed due to a lack of snow.
Explore Minnesota will report winter trail conditions each Thursday during the winter season, with updates as changes in conditions warrant. Information used to compile the Winter Trails Update is provided courtesy of the Minnesota DNR, Voyageurs National Park, the Three Rivers Park District, and communities throughout the state.
Begin planning your winter getaway by one of our travel counselors at 888-VISITMN (888-847-4866), or request a customized travel planner at Contact a Travel Counselor.
Please note that 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 or older must have a Minnesota Ski Pass. 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
