Cross Country Ski Trail Conditions in Grand Marais
Grand Marais has 52.9KM of groomed cross-country ski trails within minutes of downtown Grand Marais the Pincushion Mountain Ski Trail System, Bally Creek, and George Washington Pines. Find updated cross-country ski trail conditions reports here once the season begins.
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Click to expand on the trail system for complete trail report and trail details.
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- 1 Pincushion Drive
The Pincushion Mountain Trail System is a 25 kilometer silent sport trail system perched high above Lake Superior, 2 miles north of Grand Marais, Minnesota. Because of its varied terrain, excellent trail design and spectacular vistas of Lake Superior and Devil Track River canyon…
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Trail Conditions Update/Notes: From Pincushion Ski & Run Club: 3/24/2025:
Pincushion Trails Grooming Update! Bonus ski trail grooming!!
Monday, March 24
New Snow Last 24 Hours: 9”
New Snow Last 7 days: 9””
Trail Base: 10-12”
Pincushion skiing returns for a late-season bonus!! All trails, except the black diamond loops Ole Hyvaa and Hilfiker Hill have been groomed for classic and skate style skiing.
Skiing is excellent!
The ski trails at Pincushion are maintained by the Pincushion Ski and Run Club, with the financial support of sponsorships and memberships and also a grooming grant we receive from the Great MN Ski Pass program.
Click here to become a member or renew your PSRC membership
Click here to purchase or renew your Great MN Ski Pass (required to ski at Pincushion and other MN public ski areas)
Upcoming Events and Activities at Pincushion
Full Moon Ski and Gatherings at Pincushion
We'll be hosting Full Moon Ski gatherings at the Pincushion chalet every month through the winter. Join friends for a ski around the lighted trails and then gather for socializing in the chalet or around the bonfire. Hot drinks will be served.
- Where: Pincushion Chalet
- When:
- What to bring: Headlamp recommended. The West Overlook Trail will be lit up for skiing.
- Cost: Free
Pincushion Ping Pong Club Returns
We are starting up again with weekly club-sponsored ping pong evenings. A change this year is that we will be meeting in the Fellowship Hall at Bethlehem Lutheran Church instead of at the Pincushion chalet. There are two tables available and we will play round-robin style games. Hope you can join us!
- What: Weekly Ping Pong Evening
- Where: Bethlehem Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 417 1st Ave W
- When: Weekly on Thursday evenings, beginning Jan 16
Annual Membership Campaign - Please Join or Renew
Our Annual Membership Campaign is underway now, raising the funds we need for the club's programs and activities at Pincushion in 2025. We are a volunteer-led non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) and we rely on donations from members and sponsors for the majority of our club's annual operating budget. More information can be found here: Link to Join or Renew Pincushion Ski and Run Club Membership/Sponsorship
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- 18 Bally Creek Road
Bally Creek Trail System is a multiple short loop cross country ski trail system with several access points. Variety of cedar swamp, balsam and pine forest. Meanders along wildlife pond. The main access is a parking area off of FR 158 just short of Bear Track Camp. Depending on…
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Trail Conditions Update/Notes: From US Forest Service: 3/17/2025: Grooming of the Bally Creek Ski Trail system has ceased for the 2024/2025 winter season.
Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com:
Download a georeferenced map of Bally Creek Ski Trails here.
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- Gunflint Trail
George Washington Pines Winter Recreation Trail is a relatively short 3.3 km trail located only 6 miles up the Gunflint Trail. It passes through a beautiful grove of pines, the George Washington Memorial Pine Plantation. More information on the memorial pines plantation on the…
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Trail Conditions Update/Notes: From the USFS: 3/17/2025: Grooming has ceased on the George Washington Pines Ski Trail for the 2024/2025 winter season.
Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com:
Gunflint Trail Trail Conditions
Welcome to winter on the Gunflint Trail. Cross country skiing is one of the #1 activities on the Gunflint Trail in winter. Trail reports are updated weekly once the season begins, typically mid-November – April.
Lutsen And Tofte Trail Conditions
Lutsen and Tofte feature 153.2KMs of groomed cross-country ski trails on several different trail systems. Sugarbush Ski Trail Association, Norpine Ski Trail Association, Cascade River State Park, and Lutsen Mountains. Find complete…