Conditions: Almost mid winter perfect.
When I arrived at After Hours around noon, even though it was sunny just over in Duluth, lake effect snow was dumping on the Brule area. By the time I left 3 new inches of white stuff had fallen. The classic tracks, including the classic only trails, were superb. As noted by other folks, you may wish to stay off River Trail. My skis did clump up from a higher moisture content when I was skiing next to the Brule River. Having said that, it was so beautiful on River Trail with the snow covered pines and open water in the river, that it was worth the one stop to clean the bottom of my skis. Remember firearms deer season starts in Wisconsin this Saturday. Wear blaze orange or red.

Photos:

(Rich Hoeg)

Conditions: Very good skate and classic.
It could have been January for snow this nice. Fine coverage everywhere we went with very rare icy spots and rocks easily avoided - we stayed off the Classic and River trails.

(John Ipsen)

Conditions: Great coverage for skating.
With all the sketchy comments on the Duluth area trails we drove to Brule in the hopes of being able to use our good skis. It was a good move. The skating deck was very well covered - only a few icy spots that were easily avoidable. We stayed off the river trail based on that suggestion of DNR staff. No walkers or fat bikes to deal with! Overall a great day.

(Trent Wickman)

As reported by DNR, a number of icy spots where it had been wet on River trail and classic only trail. I was glad I had my rock classic skis on the classic only trail, but you could use at least "B" skis for both skate and classic on all tails groomed for both classic and skate, with the possible exception of River Trail, but you could if you are careful. They had 14" of snow, and the woods are beautiful. The Brule River was running high! Skate trails nicely groomed, if a bit "early-season soft". These trails can stand quite a bit of traffic as they are now.

Photos:

(Tim Holst)

All trails are groomed and tracked with a 4" base. Trails are a bit bumpy and uneven yet due to the early season, but overall conditions are good. River and Classic trails have some spots of water seepage due to unfrozen ground.

(Matthew Miranda, Wisconsin DNR)

My experience with this trail system is it never opens till after deer hunting season ends on November 30th. The forest around the trails is actively hunted.

(Rich Hoeg)

Conditions: Lots of snow, good classic skiing.
I was out there Wednesday night and the trail system had a good start to being rolled. Classic skied with good skis. The trails do not close, but wear bright clothing or blaze orange. At night with headlamp works great too, as hunters are not out in the dark.

(Borg Isaksen)