Trail Reports
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Minnesota Metro Area
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Apr 8 - Elm Creek Park Reserve (Maple Grove):
Morning[ Trails: Closed, ]Observation
Elm Creek Cross Country Trails have closed for the season. Thank you to everyone who came out to ski this year! Hopefully we get some colder temps and more snow next winter!
(Dominic Ray, Three Rivers Park District) -
Apr 6 - Baker Park Reserve (Medina):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: All ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Roller skied one loop, windy good workout.
Trails mostly dry, couple small wet run off spots, can ride through them. Minor debris from tree trim but nothing major. Beautiful sunny day out there!
Photos:
(Josh Bloom)
Minnesota Northeast
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Apr 4 - Hartley Park (Duluth):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Classic
We classic skied and there was a lot of snow left! The snow is 100% connected. There was dirt showing through in just a handful of spots on the tracks and they were easy to get around. Maybe two places had more exposed but snow was there to get past them. Tracks were surprisingly solid except for a couple of turns where they were a bit misshapen. Unfortunately someone walked directly on the tracks for the majority of the trail and left deep footprints.
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 3 - University of Minnesota Cloquet Forestry Center (Cloquet):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Classic
We classic skied the Forestry Center today. The snow is 100% connected. There is dirt showing through in 5% of the tracks except on a couple of hills where there is plenty of snow to ski on, but not where the tracks originally were. There is some debris, but not the ski stopping kind, mostly needles that are well into the tracks and a few pine cones here and there. It was windy too so we were surprised there wasn't more. About 5% of the tracks that are there have that "old snow icy" look to them so I'm assuming they will be dirt soon. There is plenty of snow on the sides of the tracks to ski on in the places where the tracks are showing dirt. It was a nice ski in a beautiful place. Kudos to the groomers who made multiple passes, in spots where there was no grooming there is no snow!
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 2 - Piedmont Trail (Duluth):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
Seems like one of the last days of the season. A few bare spots but easily avoided. The fresh snow made the track a bit faster but wasn't a speedy ski by any means. As has been mentioned, the beginning of the trail and the section that goes by the neighborhood has many many footprints all over it. Overall I enjoyed getting out despite the bumpy slower ride.
Photos:
(Rachelle Walker) -
Apr 2 - Snowflake Nordic Ski Center (Duluth):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Wonderful skate ski mid afternoon- thanks to John for grooming the 6K loop twice this morning. Deck was firm and 1" new snow from today. Temp 33F. Trail fully snow covered, and classic track looked fair.
Photos:
(Dave Arvold) -
Apr 2 - Magney-Snively Trail (Duluth):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Both
We classic and skate skied part of the main loop of Magney today while it was snowing hard. The classic tracks are very solid and 99% debris free and covered with snow. The skate lane is deeply rutted throughout. People took a stroll along the side of the trail leaving deep footprints. The deer had a party on a downhill and left quite a bit of leaf debris but you can see it ahead of time if you have your eyes open. If you venture out to Magney, I'd suggest classic - it will be a treat. Lots of snow left and great tracks!
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 2 - Piedmont Trail (Duluth):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Classic
It was scary this morning as there's ice under the light snow covering. I only lasted 20 minutes and fell once. On a positive note, it felt good to be outside and the gentle snowfall was pretty.
(Sherri Johnson) -
Apr 1 - Gooseberry Falls State Park (Two Harbors):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Classic
We missed the Goldilocks time today. After meeting the too hard and icy bear this morning I tried again and encountered the too soft and sticky bear this afternoon. I carried my skis on the mostly bare paved trail from the visitors center and started skiing on the north side of the road to ski the Birch Hill loop. At a very sunny area by the fifth falls I had to portage my skis over 5 meters of wet ground. The remainder of the trail is covered with mostly intact and usable tracks. Although not perfect conditions, it was a very fun, and probably my last ski of the season, on a beautiful day. No April fools!
(Brad Anderson) -
Apr 1 - Piedmont Trail (Duluth):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Classic
Piedmont has no bare spots, timing was perfect as Goldilocks would say, "tracks were just right" fast, not scary and the snow on the sides was soft so I could snowplow when needed. Some of the tracks had sunk in places and if is crunchier you could catch on the edges. No debris at all. Unfortunately someone took an Easter stroll right up the tracks until the Puff Puff hill on one side and then to the end of the last hill before you return to the parking lot or another loop. They obliterated the tracks on one side and the other side is pretty beat up too with 6 inch deep prints on the last part of the trail. Maybe the city will freshen it up while it's still cold?
(Eve Graves) -
Apr 1 - Duluth World Cup Complex (Duluth):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Both
I think it is past time to announce my new ski center to the world, and the only place suitable for that is here, on Skinnyski.
It happened suddenly one moment when I came home from the World Cup in Minnesota. I was gazing into the impenetrable depths of my Grandmas' lutefisk soup, when a deep emptiness came over me. The joys of Nowegian life had soured, from the free universities and medical care, to the lingonberry pancakes, to winning every important ski race in the country. I realized my motherland had nothing for me anymore.
That's why I have renounced my Norwegian citizenship. I'm immigrating to Duluth. And I'm partnering with DXC to open the new Duluth World Cup Center. My old hometown of Oslo has 2600km of ski trails; I know we can do better here.
We have reached an agreement with the city to convert I35 into groomed trail through the city, effective immediately. Over the next year we plan to begin grooming at least 90% of the city streets. Snowmaking won't be an issue either. I've spoken with Biden and he will be diverting military resources to cloud-seeding efforts over the city.
You may have seen on the front page of SkinnySki today that the tour de ski is coming to North America. I'm happy to announce that that's the tip of the iceberg. ALL FIS cross country events will be moving here (well, maybe we will give one race to Norway, jajajaja).
This is just the beginning.
See you at Bent Paddle soon,
Johannes.
Photos:
(Johannes Klybo) -
Apr 1 - Northwoods Ski Trail (Silver Bay):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
Full coverage everywhere even the low spots down by the river. This morning the tracks were icy but hopefully by this afternoon the should be perfect.
Photos:
(Karla Anderson) -
Apr 6 - Flathorn-Gegoka Trails (Isabella):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Classic
We skied from Jensen Trail on Highway #1 to 16> 20> 21> 24> Shelter> 24> 12> back to Highway #1. There was always snow to ski on, albeit pretty thin on occasion; 80% was 2 to 4-inch heavy-wet snow cover. Using waxless worked well; had good kick and glide. The bog had the least snow, so skiing in Labrador Tea vegetation was part of the adventure. Mary and I were delighted to have spent most of this sunny day enjoying these trails. Lake Gegoka is now opened up, time to get out the water skis.
Photos:
(Nancy Schultz) -
Apr 5 - Flathorn-Gegoka Trails (Isabella):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
I skied around segments around and just north of Flathorn Lake. There is still a good overall base of snow and tracks that are holding up well (groomed lasyt Saturday). However there are occasional, mostly short, patches of bare ground (<2%). These are easily visible and easy to get around. More problematic are isolated small cobbles or roots that are above the snow. Skiing was really fun, but rock skis are your best bet. Parking lot is plowed.
Photos:
(Mary Shedd, Friends of Flathorn Gegoka Trails)
Minnesota Northwest
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Apr 1 - Maplelag Resort (Callaway):
Afternoon[ Trails: Closed, ]Firsthand: Both
After a beautiful Easter weekend of skiing, we snuck in one more ski this morning following the ribbons of white. It was a treat to have this past week of skiing but the trails have deteriorated and are now closed. It will be 2-4 weeks to completely dry out before the mountain bike and hiking trails are open. Thanks everyone who came out this past week!
Photos:
(Jay Richards, Maplelag Resort) -
Apr 1 - Rainbow Resort Trails (Waubun):
Afternoon[ Trails: Closed ]Observation
Hope Everyone had a Happy Easter! The bad news is that a couple of days of sunshine and temps in the 40's have changed our conditions greatly. Trails now closed for skiing but still a great option for a beautiful spring day hike or bike. Thank You.
Photos:
(Douglas Schumann, Rainbow Resort)
Minnesota Central
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Apr 1 - Vasaloppet Nordic Center Trails (Mora):
Morning[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Very nice crust skiing on the Nordic Center grounds all the way up to 11:00 a.m. today. By then the ruts on the groomed 5K were soft enough for rock skiing, but I was already tuckered out. Despite bad weather canceling the Vasaloppet, it is worth noting the many hours of effort by the snow farmers, groomers, and other volunteers who provided a season full of intermittent skiing. Many youth, high school, and recreational skiers took full advantage of those opportunities. Thank you Vasaloppet volunteers!
(Jeff Pesta)
Wisconsin Northwest
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Apr 1 - Superior Municipal Forest (Superior):
Afternoon[ Trails: Closed, ]Observation
Grooming is done for the season and trails are in very poor condition due to high temperatures and rapid snow melt.
(Kara Czapinski, Superior City Parks) -
Apr 6 - Mt. Ashwabay Ski Trails (Bayfield):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Classic
The trails were groomed this morning. There are a few open areas near the parking lot but as you climb to the sugar shack there is a surprising large snow pack on the trails. I really like the sugar bush classic trail which winds up and around the nearly 100 year old sugar shack. Its a nice place to stop for lunch on a beautiful April day.
Photos:
(Gene Karwoski)
Wisconsin Southeast
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Apr 3 - Greenbush Ski Trails (Greenbush):
Evening[ Trails Open: All ]Observation
About 5" of wet heavy snow fell at Greenbush on Tuesday afternoon and evening, providing one last opportunity for some xc skiing which some skiers took advantage of late Wednesday. There was no grooming for obvious reasons, but one could bring their rock skis and go classical skiing, and have a decent and very quiet time in the woods. I decided to wait until late November/December and enjoy a fire in the shelter for a couple hours. Already looking forward to the 2025 season and many races that were either cancelled or altered this past season. See everyone in early December.
(Matt Stanke) -
Apr 3 - Greenbush Ski Trails (Greenbush):
Afternoon[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
I classic skied the red loop today twice. It was not groomed so use my tracks if you dare... LOL .. I have never skied in April and so I did today just because it was a great day. No bare ground, floods or puddles. A few sticks, which I cleared many and soft snow no big deal. I am also posting this for anyone that wants to say "Hey I skied in April".
(Dale Glander) -
Apr 6 - Blue Mound State Park (Blue Mounds):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Classic
There is still snow at the mound. However, the trails are extremely patchy, so I would recommend doing laps at the top where there is still good coverage. Get out this morning though, it's getting soft quickly. Another skier and I have set some decent tracks, but there is still enough snow to set your own.
Photos:
(Kyle Richard) -
Apr 5 - Blue Mound State Park (Blue Mounds):
Morning[ ]Firsthand: Classic
Skied Willow Springs trail and a tad of Flintrock this morning from 11 am til noon or so. There was lots of snow in lots of places but ground is appearing everywhere as it warms up and the snow melts. Beautiful watching the water melt into the tiny streams and rivulets. Today is likely my last day of this season. 40 degrees and sunny and deep heavy snow that someone else tracked - that was just exactly perfect.
Photos:
(Christopher Quandt) -
Apr 3 - Blue Mound State Park (Blue Mounds):
Evening[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Classic
BMSP has received at least 12" of snow. There was so much that my 78mm wide touring skis sometimes struggled to stay afloat. In areas with poor drainage, the snow is much thinner and wet, with some occasional bare spots that can be skied around. Definitely use wide skis, otherwise you'll sink right down into the bottom layer of snow, which is mostly slush. The one exception is the steep, narrow downhill on the blue loop that takes you from the Swain prairie to the Ridgeview trail. There is a large bare spot (see pic). I side stepped down it, although based on the tracks and large flattened area of snow near the bottom, there are other effective approaches. The downhill into the campground was in excellent condition. That area is currently closed to vehicular traffic, though in areas that are open to camping, there are some deep tire tracks that need be skied around or between.
Photos:
(Kyle Richard) -
Apr 3 - Elver Park (Madison):
Afternoon[ ]Firsthand: Classic
Stating the obvious ... there is snow out there. It was nice spring soft squishy skiing. Saw a couple other skiers out there and there was one set of skate tracks. There were a few minor hazards one had to contend with. Windblown trees, some pretty good sized, were laying across some of the trails. There were some patches of bare ground here and there in the woods. The deeper and better snow was in the open grassy field areas. Probably about 3 to 4" of snow there. I am sure there are lots of places in and around Madison with the same conditions. Yep ... Wisconsin.
Photos:
(Christopher Quandt)
Michigan Upper Peninsula
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Apr 6 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Classic
Great conditions on what was groomed. So fun! Should hold for tomorrow. Just a few thin spots. Tracks set throughout.
(Jonathon Rulseh) -
Apr 6 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Plenty of snow with fresh grooming in the morning. The sweet spot for skating was 8-10 am and then it looked like a lot of no-wax striders enjoying the softening tracks on a sunny day.
Photos:
(Jeff Pesta) -
Apr 5 - Miners Memorial Heritage Park (Ironwood):
Evening[ Trails Open: All, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Fast, but a bit bumpy and getting thin as the sun set on one of the last days of this pathetic ski season. A couple bare spots to ski around. One thin ATV crossing with sneaky rocks under the snow. Get out during one of the golden hours if you can.
Photos:
(Jonathon Rulseh) -
Apr 4 - Wolverine Ski Trail (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: Most, ]Grooming
We received about 6" of wet snow. Groomers were out and groomed and set track on the Novice Loop, Cliffs trail, Pit Run, 3 Sisters Cut Across and Stairway to Heaven. Tracks look good, skate deck a little soft. Thanks groomers!
(Deborah Leonard) -
Apr 4 - Miners Memorial Heritage Park (Ironwood):
Morning[ Trails Open: All, ]Grooming
Lots of wet snow fell over the last two days. Deck groomed and tracks reset. Trail looks smoother than it has all year with the new snow over the firm base. Heading out to ski it!
Photos:
(Sue Schroeder) -
Apr 3 - Miners Memorial Heritage Park (Ironwood):
Evening[ Trails Open: All, ]Grooming
Groomed and tracked the trail tonight. It continues to snow and is quite windy/drifty, but the plan is to groom again Thursday morning with hopes of continued grooming and skiing through the weekend.
Photos:
(Jonathon Rulseh) -
Apr 4 - Noquemanon Trail (Marquette):
Morning[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Freestyle
Rolled all the way to 510 and groomed with classic track to 17K on the Noque and some Animoosh. Nice job of tracking! Although the snow is new, it's slow going to 510 due to the moisture content. Enjoyed my ski.
(Mary Kay Aufrance) -
Apr 1 - Valley Spur (Munising):
Morning[ Trails Open: Partial, ]Firsthand: Classic
Some light snow flurries yesterday put a coating on the base remaining on our trails. There are still old Classic tracks visible, just step around any thin spots. Crust skiing off the trail is actually great now that temperatures are down in the 20's each night. It was good to be out with full sunshine early this morning. Not April's fool.
(John Gierke)