Gunflint Trail – Cross Country Ski Trail Conditions

Comments:

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, so it 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.

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).

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The 40 miles of the Upper Gunflint Ski Trail system is maintained by the Gunflint Lake Trails Group, and requires an Upper Gunflint Trail Ski Pass for usage. Funds raised from these passes pay for land lease fees and grooming expenses. Daily, weekend, week, and seasonal passes are available.

Passes are available at Gunflint Lodge (800-328-3325), Gunflint Pines (800-533-5814), or Heston's Lodge (800-338-7230). 

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.

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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. The Minnesota Ski Pass is required to ski the trail. 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.

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