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: 1/22/2025
• Trail Base: 2"-5"
• Surface Conditions: Packed powder
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours:3"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 3""
• Total Snowfall for the season: 30"
• Snow Depth in the Woods: 6-8"
• Detailed Grooming Report: https://www.sugarbushtrail.org/ski_trails.php 

Trail Conditions Update/Notes from the Sugarbush Trail Association: 1/22/2025: We received 3" of powder snow last night and we are out grooming. We tried grooming, without rolling and packing, but that didn't work. We call it squeegeeing, when the groomer just drags the snow like a squeegee. To solve the problem, we roll and pack first, then groom. Onion River road is groomed for skate and classic and for the rest of the system rolling/packing/grooming is in process.

Trail Conditions Update/Notes from the Sugarbush Trail Association: 1/16/2025: We are continuing to provide touch-up grooming to the trails. Generally, the trail has packed powder with soft spots in some areas. Conditions should improve with more grooming.

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/19/2025: We started our ski from the Britton Peak trailhead. The snow was in great shape along with skate deck conditions. Loved this system. Despite the wicked cold temps, we were sheltered away from the wind and the sun came out for a brief period. Good skis if you are careful, B skis if you are not. Cannot wait to go back! Thank you to the groomers for a wonderful job with the snowfall last weekend. (Scott Cummings)

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/19/2025: Skied classic the first two loops (to E I think) from Britton Peak trailhead. Some debris early on in the tracks. Skate deck had some dirt mixed in in spots. (Laura Ferry)

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/16/2025: Classic skied Moose Fence trails, Upland and Maple Loops and down to Six mile Creek. Good tracks, no problems with debris. Skate lane looked good too. About a half inch dusting of snow on top. (Wayne Nelson)

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/16/2025: From the Oberg trailhead I skied out west Oberg, around the Picnic Loop and back via Hogback, Homestead, and the connector. Tracks on Oberg and Picnic loop were shallow and drifted in from the last two nights of snow dustings and wind. But they provide support and were firm and after being skied in by me and others that followed are in good condition. Hogback and Homestead were a different story. For some reason those tracks have the same problem they did two days ago when I last skied them. They are soft, of variable depth where they have collapsed, and continued to collapse when I tried to ski them. In my opinion they are only skiable at a walking pace. I stayed on the skate deck which was much firmer. Back on the connector the tracks were back to shallow and firm and skiable. Hope Homestead and Hogback classic tracks can be regroomed soon. Picnic was a delight and I will be back to try it again tomorrow. (Tim Nelson)

The Oberg warming cabin is now open with a wood stove, tables, and chairs. Thanks to former USFS employee and local resident Tim Norman for getting it ready this year. Tim is actually the one who moved the cabin to this location. The cabin is a historic Ranger Station cabin built around 1920 and was located at Sawbill Lake.  The one room structure was home and office for a Forest Service Ranger in the Sawbill area. Now, skiers and hikers can enjoy getting out of the cold and warm themselves by the fire.

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: 1/19/2025 
• Trail Base: 4-9"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 5"
• Total Snowfall: 8-22"
• Detailed Grooming Report: https://www.norpinetrails.org/TrailsReport.html 

Trail Conditions Update - From the Norpine Trail Association: 1/19/2025: Crew hopes to head out Wed 1/22 as this is the soonest day with forecasted high temps above zero and wind gusts under 25 mph. Check back for updates. Deeryard Trails, Pioneer Loop, Lookout Mtn, and Ridge Run groomed 1/13 (except Shore Loop). Trail between Pioneer and Ridge (K to L on map) is closed until further notice. Trails west of Cascade Lodge groomed 1/14. windy conditions weekend of 1/17-19 will have left many trails windswept and tracks blown in. Thanks for your patience.

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/18/2025: Skied the Deeryard Lake loop CCW from Murmur Creek Rd. The tracks were mostly filled in with wind blown snow so it was slow going. Short Loop has not been groomed yet. Good snow coverage with minimal debris though. Beautiful sunny day in the woods. (Barry Buhr)

Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com: 1/15/2025:I classic skied starting from the Cascade Lodge trailhead up West Pioneer, over to and around Deeryard loop, then back to Pioneer and down East Pioneer. Snow on Pioneer is thinner with some dirt and stubble. B skis needed here. Tracks were well formed and firm. Deeryard coverage levels were much better and good skis could be used. Tracks were solid and very skiable. The connector between Deeryard and Pioneer was softer with some drifting and a soft and undulating deck. Caution needed here, but overall skiing was great and fun in more moderate temperatures. (Tim Nelson)

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.

• 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: 
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• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 
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• Trail Conditions Update/Notes -