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: 11/27/2025
• Trail Base:
• Surface Conditions:
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 6"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 7"
• Total Snowfall for the season: 7"
• Detailed Grooming Report: https://www.sugarbushtrail.org/ski_trails.php  Onion River Road will be rolled and groomed first, as conditions allow. 

Trail Conditions Update/Notes from the Sugarbush Trail Association: 11/27/2025: We received a bountiful 6" of snow on Wednesday. We also experienced (and continue to experience) sustained NW winds of 20 mph, with gusts approaching 40 mph. Throw in the rogue pick-up truck that traveled up and down the ORR and we are in our typical, first snow of the season quandary. We have staged equipment at the Oberg and Britton Peak trailheads and will initiate rolling on the ORR soon, as well as determining the systemwide windfall damage. We are still several days away (and a couple inches of snow) from providing you with a groomed, early season ski deck. We will update this page as the logistics/situation changes. Thank you for your patience!!! We will get there!!

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com:

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: 
• Trail Base:
• Surface Conditions:
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 
• Total Snowfall for the season: 
• Detailed Grooming Report: https://www.norpinetrails.org/TrailsReport.html 
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com:

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.

Contact state park office for most current grooming report.  Winter Office Hours: Friday- Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. but minimally staffed; call office for hours 218-387-6001.

This system can connect to the Norpine ski trail system as well as the Bally Creek ski trail system.

• Total Distance: 27.2 KM
• Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
• Grooming: Tracked Classic
• 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.

• 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.

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com:

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: 
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• Trail Conditions Update/Notes -