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: 3/31/2026
• Trail Conditions from the Sugarbush Trail Association: 3/31/2026: We have tucked the Pisten Bully away for the year and are relishing the change of seasons that surely will come. We will not just turn our back on the system and skiing opportunities, however. Instead, Darren will periodically (when conditions and temperatures allow), fire up the snowmobile and scratch the trails out of the Oberg Mt. trail head into early- or mid-April. Those grooming efforts will be mostly spontaneous but will also be noted in grooming updates.
• Detailed grooming report HERE.
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 4/5/2026: I arrived at 9 am while the groomer was still out on snowmobile grooming the trails. I first classic skied. Then at 10:30 am I switched to skate. I skate skied the Onion River Rd from the Oberg parking lot out 5 km and then returned. The grooming continued beyond my turn-around point. I made the first tracks on the freshly groomed skatedeck. The temp was 35 degrees and full sun. The skate skiing was a bit slow as the corduroy did not get a chance to freeze or harden after the grooming. But I still had a blast. (Scott Johnson)
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 4/4/2026: They groomed two out and back stretches from Oberg Parking Lot/Onion River Rd. on Friday, which made a firm base for the 3" on top. There was no grooming out of Britton Peak, and it is very slow going from there although there are a few skier groomed sections. (Dave Thuente)

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: 3/27/2026
• Past Week Snow: 2"
• Trail Base: 6" - 12"
• Total Snowfall for the season: 75+"
• Trail Conditions from Norpine Trail Association: 3/27/2026: East side trails groomed Friday, March 27. This includes Pioneer, Ridge Run, Lookout Mountain, and entire Deeryard system. West end trails groomed Thursday, March 26 include Massie, Hall, and Connector Trail between Cascade Lodge and Ski Hill Road. Whitesides & Deertracks were not groomed for lack of snow. Trails are in fin shape considering how late in the season it is!
• Detailed grooming report here: https://www.norpinetrails.org/TrailsReport.html ​

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 3/29/2026: Skied from Ski Hill Rd in Lutsen around the Massie loop and back. I encountered a handful of spots where snow coverage was getting thin, 98% coverage. A couple bridges were snow free and required taking skis off to walk across. No grooming on the campground loops. Still great skiing but probably won't take too many more warm days to do the trail in. (Jason Mozol)

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.

• 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

• Date: 
• Trail Base: "
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 
• Average Depth off the Trail: 
• Trail Conditions Update/Notes -