All trails are open and beautifully groomed this weekend. This includes upper and lower trails and the Nordic Connector between the two systems.

Photos:

(Jon Regenold)

Freshly and immaculately groomed. Slower cold natural snow surface. Trail system is progressing further upward.

(Todd Struckman)

Classic tracks in excellent shape. Pics are of the Connector. The Connector trail is mostly powdery with a little DIY classic track in places. Sucks going up. Fun going down.

Photos:

(Nick Lansing)

The Nordic Center has a busy weekend of races with the St. Scholastica invite. Expect the trails to be closed each day this weekend until after the racing is done around 1p.

Photos:

(Jon Regenold)

Of course, skiing at GANC was perfect with a bonus of great friends, warm weather and sunny skies. They were setting up for the college races this weekend and was informed that the trails will be closed to the public until Sunday afternoon 1 p.m. when Kids Ski begins. Enjoy!

(Jena Ogston)

A huge thanks to the Spirit crew for excellent and reliable grooming this year. I was "first tracks" out on the corduroy at 10:30am and enjoyed the prime conditions. Thanks to the groomers who were out in the bitter cold - your dedication is appreciated! Skating was a bit slow, the classic tracks were gorgeous and would have been a better option.

(Elaine Nelson)

Plenty of snow, and good grooming on these wide trails. A great resource for the Duluth area, for sure! Didn't venture onto the connector to the upper 22, but what we found below due to cold temps was a mixture of slow and sticky snow toward the base of the mountain, and a few icy patches or rock hard corduroy on the downhill stretches on the back half. The halfway mark of the trails had the best conditions, but watch your speed on a few of the faster downhill turns..that orange netting is strategically placed for a reason!

(Pieter DeHart)

One of my best skis of the year on the Spirit Mountain trails. The groomers are doing an excellent job with daily grooming and setting a classic track along with the skate lane. The classic track was firm and deep. The groomers have worked most of the ice out of the system and the conditions now are nearly perfect on the man made snow loops. Can't wait for some natural snow to check out the new loop off the Deer Stand trail.

Photos:

(Gene Karwoski)

We are excited to host the Cloquet invite today, January 7th. We are expecting roughly 450 participants for the race so it will be busy in and around the Grand Avenue Chalet. Set-up for the race will begin at 1pm and the final race will start at 6:30pm. Because of this, all trails at the Nordic Center at Grand will be closed to all public use tonight beginning at 1pm. Thank you for your understanding and come out to cheer!

(Jon Regenold)

Had to check out the new lights for night skiing (stadium, big bend, s turn and rollercoaster now all have lights)! Tracks were fast but not icy, a very enjoyable ski. Went out of the lighted area with a headlamp but didn't need it all all where the lights are.

Photos:

(Rachelle Walker)