Winter’s hottest new sport – Winter Biking!

There are some preliminary trail systems that will be offering limited trail use in 2019/20.

  • Norpine Trail System: This trail segment under evaluation features both a tracked ski-only lane and a packed lane for shared use by skate-skiers and bikers. ONLY this trail is open to fat-tire bikers and skiers. Any bikers that ride on non-approved ski trails will jeopardize this limited partnership with the Norpine Trail Association. Bikers must not go through the “Scientific Natural Area” (SNA) which is well designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is.
  • Pincushion Trail System in Grand Marais: This trail first opened in 2016/17 for limited use, thanks to careful maintenance and respectful bikers, the Pincushion routes will be open again. Only these routes will be open to bikers, any bikers that ride on the ski trails will jeopardize this limited partnership.
  • Gunflint Lodge: trail routes TBD
  • Bearskin Lodge: trail routes TBD

Please be aware of the trail conditions to preserve the safety and conditions of the trails. All trails will be open to fatbikes only when the trail base conditions are mature enough to support the weight of the bikes without damage to the trail. This includes both cold days with fresh powder snow as well as warm days with soft melting snow. If biking conditions are poor at the trailhead, assume the trail is closed to bikes.

Learn more about all of the biking opportunities from the Superior Cycling Association.

Help support trail maintenance by becoming a member of the local trail associations or Superior Cycling Association.

Norpine Trail - Section A | Lutsen Mountains to Caribou Trail

February 13, 2020
Trail Base: 12"
Comments:

Groomer's Report; February 13, 2020:

Caribou Trail to Cascade Road (10km) Open. Groomed 2/13. Base snow depth 12"

Lutsen Mountain to Ski HIll Road Loop (4km): Open. Groomed 2/13. Base snow depth 12".

Anytime the Temperature is above 30 degrees consider the trail closed.

* Bikers must NOT go through the "Scientific Natural Area", (SNA) which is well marked on the trail and in our West end map. This year is an experimental year to determine whether Fat Tire Biking can co-exist on the Cascade Connector trail.

Trail Usage Details:
The 2017-2018 winter season was the first year designated as a trial period for testing a dual-use winter trail to be shared by both skiers and fat-tire bikers. Thanks to careful maintenance and respectful bikers, this partnership continues in 2019-20 season.

Please Note: Bikers must not go through the Scientific Natural Area (SNA) which is well designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is. 

The trail segment under evaluation features both a tracked ski-only lane and a packed lane for shared use by skate-skiers and bikers.

  • Bikers must stay on the dual use trail and yield to skiers. Be aware that there are ski-only intersections with the dual-use trail. Bikers should be on the watch for merging skiers.
  • The dual-use trail will be open to fat bikes only when the trail base conditions are mature enough to support the weight of the bikes without damage to the trail. This includes both cold days with fresh powder snow as well as warm days with soft melting snow. If biking conditions are poor at the trailhead, assume the trail is closed to bikes. The trail is always open to skiers unless otherwise posted.

Donations are encouraged to support trail maintenance www.norpinetrails.org

Norpine Trail - Section B | Caribou Trail to Cascade Road

February 13, 2020
Trail Base: 12"
Comments:

Groomer's Report; February 13, 2020:

Caribou Trail to Cascade Road (10km) Open. Groomed 2/13. Base snow depth 12"

Lutsen Mountain to Ski HIll Road Loop (4km): Open. Groomed 2/13. Base snow depth 12".

Anytime the Temperature is above 30 degrees consider the trail closed.

* Bikers must NOT go through the "Scientific Natural Area", (SNA) which is well marked on the trail and in our West end map. This year is an experimental year to determine whether Fat Tire Biking can co-exist on the Cascade Connector trail.

Trail Usage Details:
The 2017-2018 winter season was the first year designated as a trial period for testing a dual-use winter trail to be shared by both skiers and fat-tire bikers. Thanks to careful maintenance and respectful bikers, this partnership continues in 2019-20 season.

Please Note: Bikers must not go through the Scientific Natural Area (SNA) which is well designated on the trail. Look at the map of the West end connector trail to see where the SNA is. 

The trail segment under evaluation features both a tracked ski-only lane and a packed lane for shared use by skate-skiers and bikers.

  • Bikers must stay on the dual use trail and yield to skiers. Be aware that there are ski-only intersections with the dual-use trail. Bikers should be on the watch for merging skiers.
  • The dual-use trail will be open to fat bikes only when the trail base conditions are mature enough to support the weight of the bikes without damage to the trail. This includes both cold days with fresh powder snow as well as warm days with soft melting snow. If biking conditions are poor at the trailhead, assume the trail is closed to bikes. The trail is always open to skiers unless otherwise posted.

Donations are encouraged to support trail maintenance www.norpinetrails.org

Pincushion Trail System

February 18, 2020
Comments:

Groomer's Report; February 18, 2020: Today we did 2 laps on the trails with the drag, so after it firms up, it should be pretty good to ride. We'll try to get out again to drag the trails again to make the surface harder, but we should be good for now.

Download the Pincushion Winter Bike Map: Pincushion Winter Fat Bike Map