We groomed all of our main trails with the Pisten Bully over the past two days including Bronze, Summit, Gold, Silver, Cedar and Northern Lights. Conditions are very good with full skate decks and two tracks set on most two-way trails. The outer trails (Oslo, Biwabik Spur, Wynne Creek and Laurentian) do not yet have enough snow cover given that they are much rockier and narrower (snow doesn’t reach the ground as easily). We will continue to work on packing/tracking the outer trails as snowfall/conditions allow.

Photos:

(Benjamin Bartz)

Giants Ridge is in spectacular condition. Skate deck is firm, flat and groomed to perfection. The classic tracks are deep and clean. I skated the Gold, Silver and Cedar Loops - all pristine.

Photos:

(Steve Squillace)

We got the Pisten Bully out on the Summit, Bronze, Silver and Northern Lights trails last night. Groomer Nick is reporting very firm conditions due to the extreme cold. Grooming plans: His goal for tonight is to put the first PB till on Gold and Cedar which should have those trails skiing really nicely for Tuesday morning. We expect fantastic conditions across the network through the week and into next weekend. With mother nature giving us a break from the cold it will be the perfect time to get out on the trails.

(Benjamin Bartz)

Piston Bully Perfect! I got to ski a bit on the classic course and Summit before the big Mesabi Invite. All the extra love from Mother Nature has been happily received. The grooming was pristine with deep set tracks and a smooth corduroy skate deck. Thank you Giants Ridge groomers!

Photos:

(Cheri Johnson)

Conditions are great, ready for the big Mesabi East Invite. Attached are drone images of the new sprint course for the Minnesota State high school meet.

Photos:

(Deb Maki, Pepsi Challenge)

It's winter paradise up here. A little soft from the big storm on Tues/Wed but all trails are groomed and there's plenty of snow. All you moms, dads and coaches coming up for Mesabi this weekend, bring your own skis and enjoy some "me" time.

Photos:

(Cheryl DuBois)

We are still waiting for a bit more snow out on the trails before we send the Pisten Bully out to groom in the woods. We look for at least 6 inches of hardpacked snow before we look to take the PB on the natural snow, any less and we risk bringing up dirt/grass/sticks from beneath the snow surface. The Ginuz Groomer has been getting a workout in and has done well for us so far, but it doesn't process the snow well in very cold conditions like we saw this past weekend. Grooming plans: Given the deep freeze over the weekend, we are going to wait to reset tracks until we receive additional fresh snow, which is forecasted for this Wednesday. Nevertheless the groomers have regroomed the skate decks on many of the trails and are reporting good classic and skate conditions across the network.

(Benjamin Bartz)

We reported 7" of new snow yesterday and the snow continues to fall now. Our groomers have been working their way across the trail system and currently have Northern Lights, Summit, Bronze, and Cedar groomed and tracked, with Gold and Silver both having been groomed. Gold will get tracks set as conditions allow and the new snow is currently being packed and rolled on the Biwabik Spur, Laurentian, Oslo and Wynne Creek trails. The trails are really starting to shape up! Come out and join us for some beautiful Northwoods skiing.

(Benjamin Bartz)

Beautiful evening ski on Northern Lights loop. Skated, but classic trail also looked good with today’s 7” of snow. Thanks groomers! Earlier skied Bronze and Summit trails which were wonderful. Love taking the Sarajevo speed lift to the top and having a fun Nordic ski down those 6k trails!

(Paula Thomsen)

The groomers are working their Christmas Magic! The snow flurries of the past week added up to some really decent trail coverage. Deep set tracks and a fine skate deck were intact on the Cedar, Summit and Bronze. Let it Snow!

Photos:

(Cheri Johnson)