Here’s the latest!

Click the title link for each location to see the latest trail reports. While we used Skinny Ski's trail reports, for systems such as Pincushion, Norpine and Sugarbush, the grooming organization offers consistent trail updates on their website as well. These can be more reliable than Skinny Ski’s reports, which are created by anyone who opts to share their report. We’ve also provided a brief description of each trail system.

Happy trails!

• *Banadad Trail System: A public ski trail managed by the Banadad Trail Association (or “BTA”) in agreement with the Gunflint Ranger District — USFS and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (or “DNR”). The system consists of the 27km Banadad trail, an intimate single tracked trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (or “BWCAW”), and another 14km of trails taking off from the Banadad's eastern end. The trail is centrally located along the 200-kilometer Gunflint Nordic Trails. Check out the BTA trail reports here. You can get a general map here and a map of the east end here. Free parking is available on both ends.

• Central Gunflint Trail Ski System: Located about midway up the Gunflint Trail, this trail system is primarily maintained by two resorts in the area, Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Lodge. More than 70km of beautiful groomed trails through the woods and wilderness are available. All trails are tracked for traditional skiing; large portions of the trails are also groomed for skate skiing. Both resorts have a section of trails lit for night skiing. Both resorts also have snowshoe trails. Trail tickets are complimentary to guests at Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle. Other skiers may purchase daily ski passes, multi-day passes or season passes as these trails are not included with the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Visit Cook County also offers a trail report here.

• *George Washington Pines: A relatively short 3.3km trail located 6 miles up the Gunflint Trail. This beginner trail passes through a beautiful grove of pines. The trail is shared between hikers, dogs, cross country skiers, snowshoers, and skijorers (people skiing behind a dog). Please respect other users by not fouling groomed ski tracks and by alerting dog owners of your presence so as not to spook the dogs as you pass them on skis. Encourage your dog to use off trail areas for potty stops. If the trail is used, pick up any dog droppings and try to repair tracks melted out by dog piles. You can get a trail map here.

• *Norpine Trail System: We love the trail condition report that the Norpine Trail Association (or “NTA”) provides here, as it covers all of the trail systems associated with Norpine (and there’s a lot). The NTA grooms almost 60km of trails for classic and skate skiing. There are even a few sections for hikers and snowshoers, and bikers using fat tire bikes can enjoy about 20km of trails. We recommend using the two maps available from the NTA that cover the Hall-Massie Loops and the Deer Yard/Cascade River trails with the map provided by the Minnesota DNR that covers Cascade River State Park (linked above). The DNR map is more detailed, but the NTA maps are color-coded for beginner, intermediate and expert trails.

  • *Bally Creek Loops: Multiple short loops make up a cross country ski trail system with several access points. The main access is a parking area off of FR 158 just short of Bear Track Camp. Depending on snow conditions and grooming, access is also off Cook County 45 and has a branch off of the Cascade River Ski Trails. Heavy snows will limit grooming on some trails; travel on ungroomed trails is not recommended. This system is a 25km classic trackset with 11km for skate skiing. All skill level trails. You can find a copy of a paper map here.

  • *Cascade River State Park: Enjoy 27.5km of trails best suited for beginner to intermediate cross country skiers. These trails connect with the Deer Yard loops, the Hall-Massie loops and the Norpine trail system to expand your adventure options. There are also connector trails to the Lutsen Mountains Ski Area and Bally Creek Ski Trails whose maintanence levels vary throughout the season. The Minnesota DNR provides information about trail conditions on their site, found here. Depending on where you decide to park, a Minnesota State Parks Vehicle Permit may be required. We recommend reviewing your options and making your parking plans in advance. You can get a trail map here; just look for the trails marked as “Hike/Ski”.

  • *Deer Yard Loops: Deer Yard offers some beautiful cross country skiing along the ridge at the edge of Lake Superior. These trails connect with Cascade River State Park, the Hall-Massie loops and the Norpine trail system to expand your adventure options. There are also connector trails to the Lutsen Mountains Ski Area and Bally Creek Ski Trails whose maintanence levels vary throughout the season. Be prepared when you set off - one stretch of trail is named 'The Long Climb'. The plus is that there is one long, wonderful, downhill run on the way back! Parking at Cascade State Park requires a Minnesota State Parks Vehicle Permit while Cascade Lodge requires a small parking fee. You can get a trail map here.

  • *Hall-Massie Loops: These trails lie on the ridge rising up from the Lake Superior shore, so be ready to climb up and swoop down. These trails connect with Cascade River State Park, the Deer Yard loops and the Norpine trail system to expand your adventure options. There are also connector trails to the Lutsen Mountains Ski Area and Bally Creek Ski Trails whose maintanence levels vary throughout the season. The Hall and Massie loops are both rated as moderate difficulty with the smaller loops rated easy. Sections of these trails are open to snowshoeing and skijoring as well. The Hall loop passes through an area named the Cedar Cathedral, which is certainly worth a visit. The tops of the loops offer beautiful views of Superior. Depending on where you decide to park, a Minnesota State Parks Vehicle Permit may be required. You can get a trail map here.

• *Pincushion Mountain Trail System: Well designed trail system located 2 miles north of Grand Marais, MN. Enjoy 25km of dependable classic and skate loops that are groomed by the North Superior Ski and Run Club (who also provides updates on the trail conditions). Gentle rolling beginner and intermediate terrain through birch, aspen and pine forest with expert options. Nice overlooks of the North Shore far below. Separate snowshoe trail. Public warming building with nearby toilet facilities. Lighting on 1.6km of cross country trail each night. Many trails are one-way, so be sure to follow the map and the posted signs. Great Minnesota Ski Pass required to access, learn more here.

• Sawbill Campground: The Sawbill Ski Trail in Tofte offers 6k of classic skiing on a loop through the Superior National Forest that passes through a section of the Sawbill Campground. This is a privately maintained ski trail that Sawbill Outfitters is happy to share with others. Park in the plowed parking lot and access the trail from the four-way intersection. The owners ask for no dogs or snowshoes. We recommend calling Sawbill Outfitters to check on trail conditions before stopping, as they only groom as they are able. Worth a stop for those on a budget, as there is currently no fee to use these trails.

  • 12/07/2022 Report: Sawbill Outfitter staff report that they don’t have enough snow yet to start grooming.

• *Sugarbush Trail System: Sugarbush offers a huge area of cross country skiing, boasting 65km of trail. There are trailheads at Britton Peak, the Moose Fence interpretive site, and Oberg Mountain. There are distances and skill levels to match every skier from a novice headed out over lunch to a serious skier headed out for the day. There is also snowshoeing on the Superior Hiking Trail (or “SHT”) and a section of ski trail up Carlton Peak where skijoring is permitted. Trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Some of the trails are very long with no crossing trails or shortcuts back, and cell phone reception is sporadic. Before setting out on a long trail, be sure you have adequate equipment to deal with an emergency and someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return. There is a restroom and a warming house off the Onion River Road at the Oberg and LeVeaux Mountain Trails trailhead. Trails are managed by the Sugarbush Trail Association, who also provides trail reports.

• Upper Gunflint Trail System: These trails are privately maintained and are not part of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass system. Passes are available at the Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines, or Heston's Lodge. Daily, weekend, week and season passes are available as these trails are not part of the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Detailed trail information about the trail system is available from any of these three resorts located on Gunflint Lake. Feel free to call the resorts and ask questions, and enjoy over 100km of Nordic skiing. Visit Cook County also offers a trail report here.

*Bally Creek, Banadad, Cascade River State Park, Deer Yard, George Washington Pines, Hall-Massie, Norpine, Pincushion and Sugarbush Trail Systems all require a Great Minnesota Ski Pass to access. You can learn more and purchase online here. Passes can also be purchased in person at Buck’s Hardware located in Grand Marais, MN.

And for big picture folks…

The Norpine Trail Association kindly created this map, which depicts how the Bally Creek, Cascade River State Park, Norpine, and Sugarbush trail systems stretch across the North Shore.

Still have questions?

No problem! Whether you’re looking for advice on what trails to explore, what gear to bring or what wax to use, our staff are more than happy to share the inside scoop. Stop by the store or contact us to learn more about winter recreation along the North Shore.