Considering the recent warm-up, trails were in fair condition. We classic skied about 10 km and tracks were intact, although thin, most of the way. The 2.5 km stretch along the river was pretty good. The roughest conditions were on the route to Bean Lake, with some rocks and spots of water. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised.

(Samantha Mannion)

We were not sure what to expect today when we headed towards the Northwoods trail in Silver Bay and were pleasantly surprised to find it even better than last week! It was 37F when we started and the rain had just stopped falling for our first lap, it started again during our second but lightly. The tracks are still 99% intact, 99% debris free, and this time they weren't icy -- they were just right for my skins. I used my good skis. There was one spot of dirt, it was also there last week and has not grown, a few weeds sticking up in one area same as last week and the rest has great coverage. There are at least 6 to 8 inches on the ground here. If you want to ski in tracks and are not concerned with perfection this is a great option.

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(Eve Graves)

We skied Northwoods in Silver bay and there is plenty of snow left. The tracks are still there from last week, no recent grooming, and the two loops we skied were 98% intact. The tracks were 99% debris free. The coverage is 99.99999%. Timing is everything and we missed it today so it was pretty darn fast! Temps were 39 when we arrived yet, nothing had softened. If you want to ski it will be fun. If you want a good perfect trail wait until it's groomed again. We used our good skis and were fine.

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(Eve Graves)

There was a decent snow base but the tracks had gotten pretty icy (morning) and then melty (afternoon). The tracks are in good shape though, sides intact. Skins worked pretty well on the hills - it was a fast ride! Klister did not do the trick on the wax skis and it was an exhausting effort on the hills. It's basically end of the season conditions out there: some debris on tracks and freeze/thaw cycles happening.

(Sarah McCourtney)

If you want real snow and tracks you can use your very bestest skis on, head to Silver Bay, They still have 15 inches on the sides of the trail. It is pretty freshly groomed with nice deep debris free tracks! Well worth the drive from anywhere, it's great Mora training (ie not a ton of hills). No doggies. They have a box where you can put a donation into!

(Eve Graves)

Good snow coverage! Ski the outer perimeter with spur to Bean Lake. A few spots of semi-buried tree, branches/stumps or ice. 99% was beautifully tracked. As good as anything I've seen this winter! I used good skis and just step over I the few obstacles.

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(Robin Raplinger)

A beautiful sunny day on the Northwoods ski trail! Overall the ski trail has a pretty decent cover, and the tracks are fairly deep, firm, and consistent. The shoulders are still a bit soft for pooling, but not terrible. The only part that was a bit tricky was the trail out to Bean lake with a fair number of sticks and debris coming out of the snow. Overall we were able to get a fantastic 18k in!

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(Marcus Bradt)

Another amazing day at Northwoods with great tracks and sunny blue skies. By far the most skiers we've ever seen there. Unfortunately many many snowmobiles and their huge trailers were all parking in the cross country ski lot forcing the skiers to park on the highway. We skied out to Bean Lake. It is so peaceful out there with the flowing stream crossings etc. There was one small section of frozen mud that people made a trail to ski around. Nice wolf tracks, bird feathers, etc. found all along the trails.

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(Karla Anderson)

Full snow coverage, thanks to being right in the heart of the snowstorm last week. Grooming is outstanding - nice deep tracks and just one icy spot where it appears there was a bit of melting. Shortest loop near parking lot has huge wolf prints alongside the ski tracks.

(Karla Anderson)

About 70-80% of the trails are groomed. We ran into Rob, the volunteer groomer of over 30 years. A kind soul. He took the snowmobile up to the overlook to pack down snow but did not lay track there. We went up there for the view and had no trouble, though the snow is not especially deep.

(Noah Shea)