Ski trail photo by Travis Novitsky.

We’ve been getting snow every day, even on days when no snow was forecast. We’re continuing to groom trails every day, preparing for the busy post-Christmas week.  We consistently have snow over the holiday break, but some years have been better than others.  This year is looking good!

Local photographer Travis Novitsky was here to ski a few days and posted this report:

“Cross Country Ski Heaven”

Ski conditions along the Gunflint Trail are heavenly right now! This past week we made it up to Bearskin Lodge for a couple of days of skiing and not only were the trails in prime condition but we had them almost completely to ourselves. We only saw a few other people out there. There is plenty of snow on the ground for the majority of the trails to be groomed and most of the trees have a thick blanket of snow on them which makes for a winter wonderland!

Couldn’t have said it better.  Check out Travis’s work on his Facebook page here.  He specializes in North Shore photography and gets some stunning pictures.

Current snow statistics from Golden Eagle’s Measuring Guys:

Central Gunflint Ski Trail Conditions on December 18, 2017

New Snow Last 7 days:  5 3/4”
Trail Base, Staked:  Average 3” – 4”
Snow in Woods, Staked:  Average 7” – 10”
Groomed with classic track:  ~49 km
Groomed with skate lane:  ~43 km
Surface Conditions:  Fresh groomed snow
Total snowfall since snow stayed:  30.00”

Comments:  We have 49km of ski trails groomed. This includes all trails except Moose Ridge, West end Logging Camp, Poplar Creek, BWCA Logging Camp, and North-South Link. Groomed trails are in good shape with plenty of snow for skiing. The remaining trails are snowmobile packed. Lakes are safe to cross, but have not been groomed or packed