Winter’s hottest new sport – Winter Biking!
There are some preliminary trail systems that will be offering limited trail use in 2020/2021.
- 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. *As of November 2020, it is not known for certain if the Pincushion routes will be open again.
- 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 Ski Hill Road Loop
Groomer's Report;
: Trail groomed Jan 7. Trail is open but not primary use. Poor conditions. (Hall & Massie Loops and Caribou Trail to Cascade Road have more snow and are in better condition.)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
Groomer's Report;
Trail Groomed Jan 7. Good conditions for biking. (Good conditions also on Hall & Massie Loops.)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
Groomer's Report: The Superior Cycling Association reports that fat tire bike trails at Pincushion will not be groomed regularly this year, so conditions will vary. Riding is allowed. Download a georeferenced biking trail map here: Pincushion Mountain Area Winter Fat Tire Bike Trails
Anytime the Temperature is above 30 degrees consider the trail closed.