Winter wonderland in the fresh snow. Last grooming probably Friday or Saturday (after the previous snowfall), but two other skiers had been out before me. On the trails they had been on, the tracks were excellent. On the other trails, the new powder over the old base and track was beautiful and made for a bit more work (but still excellent). Back at the trail head, at least two more vehicles, so things should be quite nice. Also, the Bean Lake trail was groomed as part of the most recent grooming. The trail is much improved although one will encounter a few bumps and trail stubble (worth it for the view).

(Erik Larson)

We had a beautiful ski on this terrific trail just minutes from Silver Bay. The narrow classic only track was nicely set, and it was snowing, which made it just lovely. We skied the outside loop up the big hill. The downside is that the trail managers have chosen not to adequately sign this trail. Be sure to pick up a map before you start at the trail start and be attentive. Even as a local who skis this trail often, it can be confusing.

(Alice Tibbetts)

The full connector trail from Northwoods to Tettegouche is groomed for classic. The snow and grooming on the connector is very good, but it had not been well mowed prior to the snow.

(Brad Anderson)

The trail system is groomed for classic only and the tracks are well defined. Only a few short segments where the snow is thin, but there's typically enough base to ski around. The 1.4 km segment to Bean Lake doesn't look to have been machine groomed, but skiers have tracked the trail down to the lake. The tracks on the Bean Lake trail were well defined, although the snow was a bit uneven. All other parts of the system had a nice base--and was fortunate enough to have an owl fly overhead as I was coasting down one of the scenic hills.

Photos:

(Erik Larson)

Skied Northwoods at the end of the day with temps around zero. Most all the trails had been recently groomed and the classic track was firm. Enough snow that it was not too bumpy. Occasional dirt patches in the track did not slow me down or grab my skis but I would use B skis if I did it again. Very scenic.

(Tim Nelson)

We skied the trail next to the river, then took the Tettegouche connector trail almost all the way to the cabins. The connector has not been maintained for 2+ years (unfortunately), so we were bushwhacking as well as breaking trail. Not too many obstacles, though. Temp was zero when we started and a few degrees colder when we finished, with very little wind. A fun backwoods adventure under brilliant blue skies!

Photos:

(Anne Flueckiger)

Great conditions--fluffy snow, good track made by other skiers, beautiful scenery. We skied the outer loop for the first half and then up the huge hill for the great view and the fun run down. A few other skiers out and it looked like all trails had been skied on. It was cold (single digits, windy), but worth it. New this year--periodic trail markers with GPS numbers, which significantly improved my ability to track our location on the map (also updated with said numbers).

(Diane Mancini)

Good classic skiing, trails are tracked but not groomed. Quiet, peaceful - no one else out there, our little piece of frozen paradise! This was a fun stop on our way up the North shore.

(Mark Raderstorf)