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

Sugarbush Trails - Britton Peak & Moose Fence in Tofte

• Date: 4/9/2023
• Trail Base: 12"
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 0"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 3"
• Total Snowfall for Season: 144"
• Average Depth off the Trail: 24"+
• Trail Conditions Update/Notes: 4/9/2023: In spite of our desire to keep the trails groomed, we are unable to do that with the current warm temperatures, therefore grooming has ended for the season. There is plenty of snow left for skiing, so enjoy it while you can. We give a huge thanks to our main groomer Darren Peck, who created a fabulous skiing surface this winter and with much dedication. Thank you Darren!

  We logged a total of 320 hours on the Pisten Bully and 229 hours on the snowmobiles this winter and we were out at least 66 times grooming the trails. Our first grooming date was November 19, 2022 and the last grooming date was April 6, 2023. 

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: Great skiing continues on the North Shore! Trails were being groomed this morning and afternoon. Most had fresh corduroy over at least half the trail width by 12:30 pm, and by 3:45 pm most had classic tracks set. There were a lot of twigs and small branches blown down by high winds in some areas, but they were generally small enough not to interfere with the skin skis. We skied about a 14 mile loop between the Oberg Mountain Trailhead and the Britton Peak Trailhead and only saw one other skier, but saw the groomer twice. Pleasant mix of sun and clouds and occasional light snow showers with a stiff breeze at times. (Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: Skied Hogback loop this afternoon, freshly groomed by snowmobile, so good to get out on the system one more time this season! Firm skate deck tracks very good. Snow conditions were broken up crust mixed with powder with minimal drifting. Most area were void of any debris from the higher winds, short sections with moderate debris. Temps should make for great skiing tomorrow and Saturday morning. (Liz Wagner)
•  Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/4/2023: I skied from Moose Fence, which had about 1.5 inches of light snow since last grooming. It actually was quite beneficial above harder base and it gave a good kick and glide combo with blue wax. I slipped a little going up steeper hills but downhills were fast with long glides. I could feel granular snow under my pole plants and fresh snow. A skier had skied in tracks on Maple Loop. Then I skied in tracks from P to N on connector to the Pjcnic Loop. New snow was so light that there was no resistance. Several skaters had done the Picnic Loop, but no fresh tracks in classic tracks. (Steve Langenbrunner)

Sugarbush Trails - Oberg Mountain Area Trails in Lutsen

• Date: 4/9/2023
• Trail Base: 12"
• Snowfall Last 24 Hours: 0"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days: 3"
• Total Snowfall for Season: 144"
• Average Depth off the Trail: 24"+
• Trail Conditions Update/Notes: 4/9/2023: In spite of our desire to keep the trails groomed, we are unable to do that with the current warm temperatures, therefore grooming has ended for the season. There is plenty of snow left for skiing, so enjoy it while you can. We give a huge thanks to our main groomer Darren Peck, who created a fabulous skiing surface this winter and with much dedication. Thank you Darren!

  We logged a total of 320 hours on the Pisten Bully and 229 hours on the snowmobiles this winter and we were out at least 66 times grooming the trails. Our first grooming date was November 19, 2022 and the last grooming date was April 6, 2023. 

• Trail Conditions Update/Notes: 4/6/2023: Temperatures dropped last night allowing us to start grooming with the snowmobile this morning. We have some trails done, but won't be able to do everything. Most of the priority trails are groomed for skate and classic. We are working on grooming the Picnic Loop ridge today so check the website tonight for updates for this and other trails. Darren will update the website when he is done, showing you which trails are done. Due to the high winds, there may be some tree debris on the trails. Enjoy it while you can, before the warm temperatures predicted for this coming week. 
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: Great skiing continues on the North Shore! Trails were being groomed this morning and afternoon. Most had fresh corduroy over at least half the trail width by 12:30 pm, and by 3:45 pm most had classic tracks set. There were a lot of twigs and small branches blown down by high winds in some areas, but they were generally small enough not to interfere with the skin skis. We skied about a 14 mile loop between the Oberg Mountain Trailhead and the Britton Peak Trailhead and only saw one other skier, but saw the groomer twice. Pleasant mix of sun and clouds and occasional light snow showers with a stiff breeze at times. (Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)
• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: Skied Hogback loop this afternoon, freshly groomed by snowmobile, so good to get out on the system one more time this season! Firm skate deck tracks very good. Snow conditions were broken up crust mixed with powder with minimal drifting. Most area were void of any debris from the higher winds, short sections with moderate debris. Temps should make for great skiing tomorrow and Saturday morning. (Liz Wagner)
•  Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/4/2023: I skied from Moose Fence, which had about 1.5 inches of light snow since last grooming. It actually was quite beneficial above harder base and it gave a good kick and glide combo with blue wax. I slipped a little going up steeper hills but downhills were fast with long glides. I could feel granular snow under my pole plants and fresh snow. A skier had skied in tracks on Maple Loop. Then I skied in tracks from P to N on connector to the Pjcnic Loop. New snow was so light that there was no resistance. Several skaters had done the Picnic Loop, but no fresh tracks in classic tracks. (Steve Langenbrunner)

Trail Conditions

Norpine Trails - Deer Yard - Lutsen

• Date: 4/7/2023
• Trail Base: 12" - 22"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days:  <2"
• Average Depth off the Trail: 6" - 50"+

• Trail Conditions Update/Notes - 4/7/2023: West End trails groomed 4/7. This includes Connector Trail betw Cascade Lodge and Ski Hill Rd as well as Massie/Hall loops. Trails are in great shape! East End trails groomed overnite 4/6. This includes: Pioneer, Ridge, Lookout, Deeryard Main Loop, and Firetower. Two sets of classic tracks groomed around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer Loop. Conditions are very good considering the rain we got recently. Cautions: Short Loop (at Deeryard) hasn't been cleared or groomed since December storms. SKI AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Get after it! Skied from Deeryard Lake to Cascade Lodge. Good conditions with deep classic tracks groomed the whole way. Minimal ice, some forest debris. A bit slushy and soft at times. The skate decks were pretty bumpy but still fun to ride. Some bare spots nearer to the lake. (Cory Quirk)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Skied the Massie and Hall loops and some of the trails to Lutsen and Cascade. Beautiful spring skiing with great tracks! Not much debris, so good skis could be used! Watch out for a couple of bare spots in the skate deck, though. (Abby Scheller)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/7/2023: Excellent skiing today! Trails were groomed and classic tracks had been set Thursday. I skied Cascade Lodge-Lookout Mountain-Pioneer Loop-Cascade Fire Tower, etc. Though the air temp was just below freezing, the bright sun was softening the snow by noon. But it was still great on the skin skis! Almost no debris on the trails. No wind, bright sun, blue skies, and comfortable temperature made for great skiing, but I didn't see any other skiers. Only a pair of snowshoers leaving Cascade Lodge and a pair of hikers at the overlook on Lookout Mountain. (Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: East End trails of Norpine System groomed overnite Thursday. This includes: Deeryard Main Loop, Firetower, Pioneer, Ridge, and Lookout Mt. Two sets of classic tracks around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer. Conditions are very good, especially for such late season skiing! (Adam Dettman)

Norpine Trails - Hall/Massie Loop

• Date: 4/7/2023
• Trail Base: 12" - 22"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days:  <2"
• Average Depth off the Trail: 6" - 50"+

• Trail Conditions Update/Notes - 4/7/2023: West End trails groomed 4/7. This includes Connector Trail betw Cascade Lodge and Ski Hill Rd as well as Massie/Hall loops. Trails are in great shape! East End trails groomed overnite 4/6. This includes: Pioneer, Ridge, Lookout, Deeryard Main Loop, and Firetower. Two sets of classic tracks groomed around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer Loop. Conditions are very good considering the rain we got recently. Cautions: Short Loop (at Deeryard) hasn't been cleared or groomed since December storms. SKI AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Get after it! Skied from Deeryard Lake to Cascade Lodge. Good conditions with deep classic tracks groomed the whole way. Minimal ice, some forest debris. A bit slushy and soft at times. The skate decks were pretty bumpy but still fun to ride. Some bare spots nearer to the lake. (Cory Quirk)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Skied the Massie and Hall loops and some of the trails to Lutsen and Cascade. Beautiful spring skiing with great tracks! Not much debris, so good skis could be used! Watch out for a couple of bare spots in the skate deck, though. (Abby Scheller)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/7/2023: Excellent skiing today! Trails were groomed and classic tracks had been set Thursday. I skied Cascade Lodge-Lookout Mountain-Pioneer Loop-Cascade Fire Tower, etc. Though the air temp was just below freezing, the bright sun was softening the snow by noon. But it was still great on the skin skis! Almost no debris on the trails. No wind, bright sun, blue skies, and comfortable temperature made for great skiing, but I didn't see any other skiers. Only a pair of snowshoers leaving Cascade Lodge and a pair of hikers at the overlook on Lookout Mountain. (Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: East End trails of Norpine System groomed overnite Thursday. This includes: Deeryard Main Loop, Firetower, Pioneer, Ridge, and Lookout Mt. Two sets of classic tracks around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer. Conditions are very good, especially for such late season skiing! (Adam Dettman)

Norpine Trails - Pioneer Loop & Cascade Area Trails

• Date: 4/7/2023
• Trail Base: 12" - 22"
• Snowfall Last 7 Days:  <2"
• Average Depth off the Trail: 6" - 50"+

• Trail Conditions Update/Notes - 4/7/2023:West End trails groomed 4/7. This includes Connector Trail betw Cascade Lodge and Ski Hill Rd as well as Massie/Hall loops. Trails are in great shape! East End trails groomed overnite 4/6. This includes: Pioneer, Ridge, Lookout, Deeryard Main Loop, and Firetower. Two sets of classic tracks groomed around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer Loop. Conditions are very good considering the rain we got recently. Cautions: Short Loop (at Deeryard) hasn't been cleared or groomed since December storms. SKI AT YOUR OWN RISK.

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Get after it! Skied from Deeryard Lake to Cascade Lodge. Good conditions with deep classic tracks groomed the whole way. Minimal ice, some forest debris. A bit slushy and soft at times. The skate decks were pretty bumpy but still fun to ride. Some bare spots nearer to the lake. (Cory Quirk)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/8/2023: Skied the Massie and Hall loops and some of the trails to Lutsen and Cascade. Beautiful spring skiing with great tracks! Not much debris, so good skis could be used! Watch out for a couple of bare spots in the skate deck, though. (Abby Scheller)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/7/2023: Excellent skiing today! Trails were groomed and classic tracks had been set Thursday. I skied Cascade Lodge-Lookout Mountain-Pioneer Loop-Cascade Fire Tower, etc. Though the air temp was just below freezing, the bright sun was softening the snow by noon. But it was still great on the skin skis! Almost no debris on the trails. No wind, bright sun, blue skies, and comfortable temperature made for great skiing, but I didn't see any other skiers. Only a pair of snowshoers leaving Cascade Lodge and a pair of hikers at the overlook on Lookout Mountain. (Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

• Firsthand Trail Reports: From skinnyski.com - 4/6/2023: East End trails of Norpine System groomed overnite Thursday. This includes: Deeryard Main Loop, Firetower, Pioneer, Ridge, and Lookout Mt. Two sets of classic tracks around Deeryard Main and most of Pioneer. Conditions are very good, especially for such late season skiing! (Adam Dettman)

Trail Conditions

• Date: 3/13/2023
• Trail Base: 26"
• Trail Conditions: Very Good
• Trail Groomed?: Yes
• Difficulty: intermediate (track)  
• Average Depth off the Trail: 40"
• Trail Condition Update/Notes: 3/13/2023: TTrails were packed and tracked 3/13/23. The lake loop does not have enough snow to lay a track set, but the base has been packed. Hiking Trails are icy. Traction devices are highly recommended. Don't forget to purchase your great Minnesota ski pass.

• Facilities:

  • A warming house is available at the trailhead.

  • Ski passes are available outside the park office daily during the ski season. Otherwise, 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.

  • 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.

• Cascade River State Park home page »

   

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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• Trail Conditions Update/Notes -