Cross-Country Ski Trail Conditions in Lutsen and Tofte

Click to expand on the trail system for complete trail report and trail details! 

TRAIL CONDITIONS

• Date: 3/4/2026
• Trail Base: 15"- 20"
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 0"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 1.5"
• Last Grooming Day: 3/4/2026
• Snowfall Average Depth in Woods: 32 - 44"
• Total Snowfall for the season: 50"
• Trail Conditions from the Sugarbush Trail Association: 2/26/2026: Freeze/freeze, freeze/thaw, thaw/thaw. For the purveyors of an enthralling, albeit a labor-intensive Nordic trail system, those three descriptors define the Sugarbush Trail Association’s grooming world. We are about to enter a lamentable thaw/thaw cycle, ripe with a half inch of rain, followed by several balmy, sun dominated days of upper 40’s warmth. What does all this mean for you? Pretty simple: Thursday, March 5 will be an awesome day on the trails!!!! Expect some of the best conditions of the year, under cloudy skies and temperatures in the lower 30’s. Thereafter, get out before the warm-up and if it’s sloppy, don’t get out at all…there will be better skiing ahead.
• Detailed grooming report HERE.

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 3/1/2026: Perfect conditions Sunday afternoon/evening at Sugarbush! The system has been re-groomed since Saturday, removing all the debris from Friday night's winds. Tracks were clear and the deck was firm; snow was responsive and fast. (Alex Leslie)

Typical grooming schedule: Our budget allows for grooming the entire system on Thursday and/or Friday (evening) of each week, starting with priority trails. Touch-up on priority trails (as needed) Monday or Tuesday. (Schedule may be adjusted if there is new snowfall.) The Sugarbush Trail Association maintains 65 kilometers of cross country ski trails through beautiful and remote Forest Service land in the Lutsen-Tofte area, and has partnered to help develop nearly six miles of new single-track mountain bike trails with additional miles in the planning stage.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

• Date: 2/28/2026
• Trail Base: 12" - 18"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 24+"
• Total Snowfall for the season: 65"
• Trail Conditions from Norpine Trail Association: 2/28/2026: Entire system groomed Saturday, 2/28 in order to deal with debris from recent heavy winds. Trails are in great shape. (Adam Dettman)
• Detailed grooming report here: https://www.norpinetrails.org/TrailsReport.html ​

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 3/1/2026: Great conditions! First time out here but skied 21K of the system. From Cascade Lodge to Deeryard Loop and back. Grooming was great! Mostly double tracked. Deep tracks some soft spots but considering wind gusts on Friday trails were pretty much free of debris. Thank you for a fun afternoon of skiing! (Yvette Maijala)

Directions to Trailheads:

Deer Yard Lake Trailhead 

144 Murmur Creek Rd

From Lutsen:  At mile 101.7 on #61 turn on Cty Rd 7. Drive 1.9 miles, turn left on Cty Rd 44. Drive 0.6 miles, turn left on Cty Rd 45. Continue on Cty Rd 45 4.1 miles to Murmur Creek Rd (CR 45 takes a right turn at this intersection). Continue west on Murmur Creek road 0.7 miles, the trailhead is on the left at #144.

From Grand Marais: In town on Hwy 61 at mile 109.2 turn onto County 15 (5th Ave W). Drive up the hill on Cty 15 to Cty 7 and turn left. Drive west on Cty 7 for 5.2 miles to Cty 45. Turn right on Cty 45 and drive 5.0 miles to Forest Rd 332 (Murmur Creek Rd). Continue west on Murmur Creek Rd for 0.6 miles to the Trailhead Parking lot.

Lutsen Ski Hill Road Trailhead 

Cty Rd #5

Turn off #61 at mile 90.1 onto Lutsen Ski Hill Road. Drive on Lutsen Ski Hill Road 1.2 miles to Norpine connector access trailhead on the right side of the road that is 0.1 mile before Mountain Inn. Parking is very limited.

Caribou Trail Trailhead 

Cty Rd #4

Turn off #61 at mile 92.5 onto Caribou Trail. Drive up the Caribou Trail 1.4 miles to parking lot on the left. Accesses trail to Lutsen Mountain Ski Area to the west or Massie Loop to the east.

Cascade River State Park has 17 miles of groomed cross country ski trails. One beginner loop is available. Other trails are more difficult, and connect to other local trails outside the park. Trails are also available for hiking and snowshoeing. You can snowshoe anywhere in Minnesota's state parks and recreation areas, except on trails that are specifically groomed for another activity, such as skiing or snowmobiling. This system can connect to the Norpine ski trail system as well as the Bally Creek ski trail system. Two miles of groomed snowmobile trail connect to local trail systems, including the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail.

• Total Distance: 27.2 KM
• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
• Grooming: Tracked Classic
• Trail Conditions update from Cascade River State Park: 2/7/2026 (last available update): The trails were packed and tracked 2/6/2026. Base is 6". The trails have set up and are in great condition. Grooming Report

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 3/1/2026: Sketchy. Trails are icy with lots of debris. There are several downed trees across the trails. The grooming is rough with inconsistent, shallow tracks, an uneven surface, and snowmobile tracks common across the trail. The trails need a lot of work. (Bryan Hansel)

• Ski Pass Requirements: Skiers are required to have a Minnesota Ski Pass. They may be purchased online or in-person at most gas stations. The park office is open and ski passes can be purchased on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m
• Parking & Trailhead Access: access trails via the Cascade State Park campground. State Park parking fees and rules apply.

• Contact State Park office winter office hours: Friday- Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (but minimally staffed); 218-387-6001.
• The enclosed picnic shelter becomes a warming house in the winter, and is heated weekends and holidays through the cross-country ski season. Buy firewood at the park office to heat the picnic shelter on weekdays. Unheated rustic shelters are located at backpack campsites along the trails.
• Ski passes are available outside the park office daily during the ski season.
• The campground is closed except for a few campsites. Water is available near the trailhead parking lot.
• Winter camping is available. Contact park for further details.

Trail Conditions

Sawbill Ski Trail is a 6k classic ski trail on a loop through the Superior National Forest. This is a privately maintained ski trail that we are happy to share with others. Park in the plowed parking lot and access the trail from the four-way intersection. No dogs or snowshoes please!​

Trail Conditions

Ullr Loop is not yet open for the season

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