It’s still summer on the Gunflint Trail, but the preparations for the winter ski season are already underway. The outstanding conditions on the Central Gunflint Trail Ski System don’t just happen —  a huge amount of time and effort goes into maintaining more than 70 K of trails through the Superior National Forest.  Together, Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Lodge put in hundreds of hours of trail-work each autumn. It would not take very long for the trail system to completely disappear without the massive amount of mowing, chain saw work, branch sawing and nipping, and weed-whipping that both resorts do in the fall. Skiers on the Central Gunflint Trail System notice the difference this makes in the quality of the ski experience here.

The Central Gunflint Trails are not for everyone — and that’s a good thing if you’re a serious cross-country skier.  Both the McCloughan and the Baumann families have multiple generations of lifetime Minnesota skiers. We understand what real skiers expect. There are no snowmobiles on our trails, no dogs running in the ski tracks. (Although we can’t seem to keep the moose off the trails in some spots!) Skiers here don’t share the same trails with fat bikes or snowshoers.  Our ski trails are dedicated to strictly to skate and classic skiers.

Watch this page for updates on conditions as winter approaches.  Find your perfect winter cabin getaway at www.bearskin.com  or e-mail stay@bearskin.com.  You can also call us for suggestions.  We’d love to help you plan your perfect winter ski trip.

What’s the grooming like here?

— “Wonderful trails today!  Fresh snow, freshly groomed –nothing better!  We skied Bear Cub with two 10 year olds and an 11-year-old. What a treat for all.”   Ron, 2/19/2018

—  “Cross country skiing on perfectly groomed trails, amid drop-dead gorgeous scenery, what could be better? Bearskin is simply the best.”  Karen, 2/16/2018

—  “We have been coming to Bearskin with our children for many years and are now coming with our grandchildren as well. Bearskin has always lived up to our expectations.Trails are beautifully groomed. Staff is always warm, kind and accommodating. It is a wonderful experience.” Jean, 2/16/2018

—  “The trails were wide and beautifully groomed. The grooming was the best I have ever experienced on a ski trail. Well worth the trip to come up here for a ski weekend.”  2/2018

—  “The grooming is the best in the state consistently. We hated to go home. We will be back soon! The beautiful scenery, the fantastic snow and the always excellent grooming, plus the very nice people, make this our favorite place in Minnesota to Nordic ski, classic and freestyle. Thank you so much!”   Bob, 2/17/2018

—  “Impeccable grooming though the season — a skier’s dream.  Bearskin grooming this winter set a new standard for ski trails.”  Tom & Nancy, 3/20/2016

—  “My wife and I started cross-country skiing in 1977, and since then skied all over the Upper Midwest and made trips to Lake Placid and Vermont.  The past 4 days at Bearskin Lodge have been the best 4 days of skiing that we ever had. The snow on the pine trees, the immaculate grooming, the trails themselves, the hot tub, the solitude, and the overall beauty simply can’t be beat”.  Tom, 1/29/2016