With over 50 inches of snowfall already since November 1st, this is  a snowy winter to remember.

The Central Gunflint Trail System was lucky to have snow during the past 2 winters, when much of Minnesota had minimal snowfall — but it wasn’t snow like this!  We continue to get fresh snow every few days, which keeps the grooming crew very busy.

We’re finding that after dealing with endless piles of Twin Cities’ urban and suburban snow, many of our guests are arriving at Bearskin in a winter-weary state.  Once they get out to ski or snowshoe on our beautiful trails, amidst the snow-covered pines, the fun aspect of winter seems to return. It’s more fun to play on beautiful snow than to shovel it!

The Baumann family from Golden Eagle Lodge does a great job of keeping meticulous snowfall records.  Here are the snowfall numbers so far for this winter season, as of January 22nd:

November 2013 – 7.25 inches (about 3 inches on the ground at the end of Nov.)

December

• Dec 2 – Dec 8: 13.25 inches
• Dec 9 – Dec 15:  3.65 inches
• Dec 16 – Dec 22:  8.75 inches
• Dec 23 – Dec 29:  3.4 inches
• Dec 30 – Dec 31:  0.0 inches

December 2013 – 29.05 inches 

January

• Jan 1 – Jan 5: 6.0 inches
• Jan 6 – Jan 12: 0.5 inches
• Jan 13 Jan 19: 7.6 inches
• Jan 22: 1.25 inches

January 2014 – 15.35 inches

2013-2014 YTD Snow Total – 51.65 inches

All of our 70+ km of trails are open. Conditions are excellent for both skate skiing and classic skiing. A Central Gunflint Trail Ski Pass is required; you can buy your pass at either lodge.

It’s been awhile since we filed a ski report.  We’re in one of those happy winter cycles where nothing changes significantly.  It keeps snowing, we keep grooming, and then it all  happens again.  The Central Gunflint Ski Trail System continues to get a new boost of snow every few days, without any major melting or raining interspersed as has happened some years.  It’s a snowy winter at its best.

Earlier in the week Golden Eagle Lodge reported that we had received 42.90 inches of snow since November 1.  Of course, it’s snowed since then but it gives you a rough idea.  The base is especially solid making for fantastic skate skiing. The classic tracks are holding very strong as well. Many guests are reporting this is the best snow they’ve experienced in several years.