Today we got the first 10km of the Banadad Trail tracked. We have been packing for sometime but got a few inches of snow and were able to set a track. Both our parking lots (East and West) are plowed but we can only keep the first 10km of the East end of the Trail groomed. Come ski! Note: We have cleared several miles of the West End but it is not packed or tracked. We have had a tough year getting our operation going but are making progress with great local support on the Gunflint Trail. We don't expect to have more of the middle of our trail system open this year due to serious downfall; of what we did, some sections had to be cleared and re-cleared over 5 times. We had great trail clearing help but will need next summer to clear/open the middle section.

(Andy Jenks, Banadad Trail Association)

On the 31st the Bearskin grooming board said that the trail was rolled out to 10k from the lower gunflint trailhead. That day I skied about 2k in and decided to turn back. With the existing tracks and the freeze thaw cycle, it was kind of rough and unstable skiing. Full snow coverage, but lots of twigs and pine needles covering the trail.

(Christian Gostout)