Gunflint Trail – Cross Country Ski Trail Conditions

Comments:

Trail Conditions Update: From Golden Eagle Lodge, April 6, 2022: Due to the winter storm we are getting hit with, we are closing the ski trails for the season. With heavy wet snow up to the top of 18” muck boots, we haven’t been out to survey the damage. But, based on what we have seen on the roads and around the resort, we can imagine what the trails look like. We will have our work “cut” out for us clearing the down trees in coming weeks. 😬 Thank you to everyone who helped us make this our best winter ever! Time to think spring… 🛶 🏕 🌞(Zach Baumann, Golden Eagle Lodge)

Firsthand Trail Reports: (skinnyski.com) Mar. 25, 2022: New snow, solid base, sub freezing conditions ahead - skiing will be good here for awhile. We skied the campground loop and parts of Beaver Dam and Summer Homes trails. (Peter Nordgren)

Firsthand Trail Reports: (skinnyski.com) Mar. 25, 2022: Trails had been groomed in the morning. With snow falling during the day and warmer temps, I had some issues with snow sticking to my skis some of the time. It was still beautiful out there and great to be skiing this late in the season. (Kris Backlund)

Note: Grooming frequently occurs between the release of new trail reports. Expect trail grooming after every significant snowfall. For the most up to date grooming information, as well specific trail conditions, please contact Bearskin Lodge (1-800-338-4170) or Golden Eagle Lodge (1-800-346-2203).

The Central Gunflint Trail Ski System is located about midway up the Gunflint Trail. The trail system is primarily maintained by two resorts in the area, Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Resort. More than 70K of beautiful groomed trails through the woods and wilderness are available for skiers. Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Resort focus on silent sports only. Both resorts are owned and run by skiers; they are very serious about the quality of their trail grooming. The trails are groomed by two Kassbohrer Pisten Bully Snowcats; Bearskin’s section of trails are also groomed with a Tidd Tech G2 when conditions call for it. This is a trail system that was specifically built for skiing. All trails are tracked for traditional skiing; large portions of the trails are also groomed for skate skiing. Both resorts have a section of trails lit for night skiing. Both resorts also have snowshoe trails. Equipment rentals are available.

The Central Gunflint Trail Ski System is privately maintained and is not part of the Minnesota Ski Pass system. Trail tickets are complimentary to guests at Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle. Other skiers may purchase daily ski passes, multi-day passes or season passes. The fee for skiing on these trails covers the high costs of trail grooming. The experience of skiing through such beautiful, pristine wilderness is well worth it.

Trail Base: 12"- 14"

Snowfall

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Groomers Report: From Gunflint Lodge: Mar. 12, 2022 (last posted report):

Afternoon, Friends! After a small amount of snow, our groomer has completed a full reset of the entire system. Warmer weather is in the forecast for the next week and will be a great time to get out and enjoy the trails! As the season is nearing the end, we will be updating our trail report when our groomer is able to go out. We’re hopeful we will be able to extend the season as long as we can, but are also excited to be welcoming the transition to spring!

The Upper Gunflint Trail Ski System is privately maintained and is not part of the Minnesota Ski Pass system. Passes are available at Gunflint Lodge (800-328-3325), Gunflint Pines (800-533-5814), or Heston's Lodge (800-338-7230). 

Funds raised from these passes pay for land lease fees and grooming expenses. Daily, weekend, week, and seasonal passes are available.

Detailed trail information about the Upper Gunflint ski trail system is available from any of these three resorts on Gunflint Lake. Valuable information can be learned prior to a skier’s trek. Feel free to call and ask questions and enjoy over 100 km of some of the greatest Nordic skiing anywhere. We hope you enjoy!

Trail Base: 14"- 18"

Snowfall

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Trail Conditions Update: March 26, 2022: We re-groomed entire trail system. 3 feet in the woods. 14-18" base. Good conditions. Dusting of snow today. Lots of skiers at Eastern Trail Head today. (Andrew Jenks, Banadad Trail Association)

The Banadad Trail System is a public ski trail managed by the Banadad Ski Trail Association, in agreement with the Gunflint Ranger District — USFS and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

History of the Banadad Trail: The Boundary Waters Act of 1978 called for the construction of ski trails within the Boundary Waters and authorized snowmobile grooming on some of these trails. The Banadad Trail was created when the United States Forest Service reopened the overgrown Finn and Tucker Lakes Logging Roads that traversed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA).

Free public parking is provided at the Eastern and Western Trail Heads. The System consists of the 27 kilometer Banadad trail, a single tracked intimate trail through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), and another 14 kilometers of trails taking off from the Banadad's eastern end. All the trails are single tracked. The Trail is centrally located along the 200-kilometer Gunflint Nordic Trails. The eastern end of the Banadad connects with the Central Gunflint Trails and at the western end skiers can ski into the Upper Gunflint Trail System. Trail access for the Eastern Trailhead is located along the Little Ollie Road. The Western Trailhead is off the Gunflint Trail, 1/4 mile south of the Loon Lake Public Landing. Other trail access is across Poplar Lake at the Swamp, Lizz and Mead Lake Portages. In the summer the Banadad Trail is an interesting hiking trail, providing you with a glimpse of what much of the interior of the BWCAW looks like when not viewed from a Boundary Waters lake. While Nordic Skiing is normally considered an eco-friendly sport, the Gunflint Nordic Trails have taken this one step further. Many years ago the Banadad Ski Trail became carbon neutral ski trails. In addition to the Banadad, the trail system consists of the Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Tim Knapp Trails. The Banadad is the BWCAW's longest tracked ski trail and likely the longest wilderness tracked ski trail in the USA. For more info call 218-388-4487.

Maintaining and Grooming the Trails: The Banadad Trail Association (BTA) manages, maintains and grooms 41 kilometers (K) of public trails, including The Banadad Trail (27 K), the Lace Lake Trail (5 K), the Tim Knopp Trail (3 K) and the Tall Pines Trail (3 K). Our partners in trail management include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the United States Forest Service and many trail clearing volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours of annually. Skiers are required to have a Minnesota Ski Pass and a BWCA day permit (free and are available at U.S. Forest Service permit boxes located at either end of the Banadad). The Trail Association is providing free public parking at both ends of the Banadad.

Your support for this grass roots organization is vital to the future of the Banadad Trail System. We encourage you to join us. Your small investment will make a big difference. Thank you!

See www.poplarcreekbnb.com.

For more information go to https://www.banadad.org/newsletter

Ski Pass Required: Minnesota Ski Pass required. More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at http://mnnordicski.org