Lutsen and Tofte – Cross Country Ski Trail Conditions

Comments:

April 1, 2021: This is our last ski trail report for the 2020/2021 season. We ended the season with a total snowfall of 51", which is about half of normal. Of course, it could still snow in April and May.

Grooming has ceased for the season and all of our equipment will be returned to storage tomorrow. Some of the trail gates have been closed and locked for the off-season.

We want to thank all of you who financially contributed to our organization; it is very much appreciated. We also thank all of our board members for their continued work to make this organization viable and progressive. A big thank you goes out to our main groomer, Darren Peck, who is totally committed to making this trail the best anywhere. I think he is succeeding.

Earlier this week, a couple of die-hard locals skied for probably the last time on the Onion River Road. There were many dirt spots showing, but they found enough snow to ski a continuous 7km.

The Sugarbush Trail System is an extensive cross country ski trail network and a developing single-track mountain bike trail system in Northeastern Minnesota along the shores of Lake Superior. The system provides a variety of recreation opportunities in the Sawtooth Mountains for the beginner to advanced skier and bicyclist. A small board of volunteers oversees all aspects of the Sugarbush xc ski trail system. We fund trail improvements, purchase and maintain grooming equipment, make sure the trails are groomed, maintain the Oberg warming shack and keep it stocked with wood and put on the Annual Tofte Trek Fundraiser. STA also works cooperatively with Cook County's Superior Cycling Association to develop single-track mountain bike trails in our area.

We want to thank the North Star Ski Touring Club from the Twin Cities for providing support to us over the years. They provided us a grant for a new Yellowstone Ginzu groomer two years ago and provided funding to replace our trail intersection maps this year. The club is active year around and organizes adventure trips.

We want to remind folks that Sugarbush trails are only open to cross country skiing. Fat biking trails are available on the Norpine Trail system in Lutsen. Snowshoeing and hiking are available on the Superior Hiking Trail. Information on recreational trails throughout the county can be obtained from the Visit Cook County Information Center in Grand Marais; 218-387-2524.

This is the season, when non-profit organizations solicit supporters for financial support and Sugarbush Trail Association (STA) is one of them. We would like to encourage you to donate directly to STA through our website at Sugarbush Ski Trails or mail to: Sugarbush Trail Association, PO Box 2112, Tofte, MN 55615. We greatly appreciate any financial contributions to help us with our $40,000 operating budget. Thanks in advance.

Ski Pass Required: Minnesota Ski Pass required. They may be purchased online or in-person at any Holiday Station Store, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, or Clearview store in Lutsen. More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

 

Comments:

April 1, 2021: This is our last ski trail report for the 2020/2021 season. We ended the season with a total snowfall of 51", which is about half of normal. Of course, it could still snow in April and May.

Grooming has ceased for the season and all of our equipment will be returned to storage tomorrow. Some of the trail gates have been closed and locked for the off-season.

We want to thank all of you who financially contributed to our organization; it is very much appreciated. We also thank all of our board members for their continued work to make this organization viable and progressive. A big thank you goes out to our main groomer, Darren Peck, who is totally committed to making this trail the best anywhere. I think he is succeeding.

Earlier this week, a couple of die-hard locals skied for probably the last time on the Onion River Road. There were many dirt spots showing, but they found enough snow to ski a continuous 7km.

The Sugarbush Trail System is an extensive cross country ski trail network and a developing single-track mountain bike trail system in Northeastern Minnesota along the shores of Lake Superior. The system provides a variety of recreation opportunities in the Sawtooth Mountains for the beginner to advanced skier and bicyclist. A small board of volunteers oversees all aspects of the Sugarbush xc ski trail system. We fund trail improvements, purchase and maintain grooming equipment, make sure the trails are groomed, maintain the Oberg warming shack and keep it stocked with wood and put on the Annual Tofte Trek Fundraiser. STA also works cooperatively with Cook County's Superior Cycling Association to develop single-track mountain bike trails in our area.

We want to thank the North Star Ski Touring Club from the Twin Cities for providing support to us over the years. They provided us a grant for a new Yellowstone Ginzu groomer two years ago and provided funding to replace our trail intersection maps this year. The club is active year around and organizes adventure trips.

We want to remind folks that Sugarbush trails are only open to cross country skiing. Fat biking trails are available on the Norpine Trail system in Lutsen. Snowshoeing and hiking are available on the Superior Hiking Trail. Information on recreational trails throughout the county can be obtained from the Visit Cook County Information Center in Grand Marais; 218-387-2524.

This is the season, when non-profit organizations solicit supporters for financial support and Sugarbush Trail Association (STA) is one of them. We would like to encourage you to donate directly to STA through our website at Sugarbush Ski Trails or mail to: Sugarbush Trail Association, PO Box 2112, Tofte, MN 55615. We greatly appreciate any financial contributions to help us with our $40,000 operating budget. Thanks in advance.

Ski Pass Required: Minnesota Ski Pass required. They may be purchased online or in-person at any Holiday Station Store, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, or Clearview store in Lutsen. More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

 

Comments:

The Norpine Trail System is 57km of machine groomed X-C ski trails between Cascade River and Ski Hill Road. Trails include Deer Yard Lake, Pioneer Trail, Hall and Massey Loops. The Norpine Trail Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including maintaining, preserving, and enhancing the historic Norpine Trail System in Cook County, Minnesota, (which includes Cascade River State Park trails, Deer Yard Loop trails and Hall-Massey trails).

Norpine Trails are maintained with the help of the North Star Ski Touring Association, www.north-stars.org, and many other Norpine members and volunteers.

More information: www.norpinetrails.org

Ski Pass Required: MN ski passes are required on our trail system. Passes can be purchased on-line or they may be purchased in-person at any Holiday Station Store, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, or Clearview store in Lutsen.

More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

 

Comments:

The Norpine Trail System is 57km of machine groomed X-C ski trails between Cascade River and Ski Hill Road. Trails include Deer Yard Lake, Pioneer Trail, Hall and Massey Loops. The Norpine Trail Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including maintaining, preserving, and enhancing the historic Norpine Trail System in Cook County, Minnesota, (which includes Cascade River State Park trails, Deer Yard Loop trails and Hall-Massey trails).

Norpine Trails are maintained with the help of the North Star Ski Touring Association, www.north-stars.org, and many other Norpine members and volunteers.

More information: www.norpinetrails.org

Ski Pass Required: MN ski passes are required on our trail system. Passes can be purchased on-line or they may be purchased in-person at any Holiday Station Store, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, or Clearview store in Lutsen.

More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

 

Comments:

The Norpine Trail System is 57km of machine groomed X-C ski trails between Cascade River and Ski Hill Road. Trails include Deer Yard Lake, Pioneer Trail, Hall and Massey Loops. The Norpine Trail Association is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including maintaining, preserving, and enhancing the historic Norpine Trail System in Cook County, Minnesota, (which includes Cascade River State Park trails, Deer Yard Loop trails and Hall-Massey trails).

Norpine Trails are maintained with the help of the North Star Ski Touring Association, www.north-stars.org, and many other Norpine members and volunteers.

More information: www.norpinetrails.org

Ski Pass Required: MN ski passes are required on our trail system. Passes can be purchased on-line or they may be purchased in-person at any Holiday Station Store, Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte, or Clearview store in Lutsen.

More information on the pass and a link to purchase on-line is located at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/skipass/index.html

 

Comments:

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!