Great skiing here again today, for both classic and skate, thanks to 24" base and excellent grooming.

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Fantastic spring ski conditions on all of the trails we skied, from 11:00 am till sunset, despite temperatures ranging from 30F to 40F. Grooming was awesome, as usual! On our classic skin skis, we skied from Bearskin Lodge to Beavers Dam, Old Logging Camp, Red Pine trails. Also on East Bearskin Lake where the firm consistent snow was great for skiing even without grooming. Skied over the portage into Alder Lake in the BWCA and saw a pair of Trumpeter swans. Later I changed to skate skis and did the full Bear Cub World Cup, and was amazed at how well groomed and fast it was. it was a challenge staying in control on some of the descents. The only downside was that the Death's Door descent was so icy/fast that I had to side slip down the steepest section in order to avoid a crash! First time I've ever had to do that in 10 years of skiing it. Other than that, the whole trail was really fun and exhilarating! We measured about 24 inches base depth in a couple places along the trail, and about 6-8 inches on the lakes. On the ungroomed lake snow it was so firm that the skis only sunk about an inch or less.

Photos:

(Craig Wiklund, North Star Ski Touring Club)

Tracks were well formed, firm and fast with temps hovering in the low 20s. Nevertheless, it was great to be able to be out skiing in natural snow in the pristine north woods. Get out and ski while you can. Thanks to the Golden Eagle and Bearskin teams for maintaining trails through March.

Photos:

(Kris Backlund)

We groomed the south side trails this morning: West End Logging Camp, Ridge Run, Beaver Dam, and Moose Pasture. This time of year, the freeze-thaw cycle occurs every day. Frequent grooming occurs, but typically not all trails are groomed each day so there is fresh stuff to ski on a near daily basis. There is a lot of snow out there yet so we certainly will be skiing to the end of March. We close for the month of April, therefore March 31st will be our last grooming date of the year. Enjoy these wonderful late season conditions!

(Zach Baumann, Golden Eagle Lodge)

Trail conditions remain great, even at the end of March! We groomed the north side trails today. They groomed up fantastic! We will be grooming the south side trails tomorrow. Last grooming day of the season will be March 31st.

Photos:

(Zach Baumann, Golden Eagle Lodge)

A majority of trails were groomed this morning and in amazing shape with full tracks: all the Golden Eagle trails north of flour lake, n-s link, summer home road, campground loop, and parts of Beaver Dam. Logging Camp on the west and east end of the lakes had not yet been groomed as well as Ox Cart and Bear Cub WC.

Photos:

(Carter Green)

Skied old logging, deer mouse, and red pine before sunset. Nothing had been groomed since the last dusting leading to a mix of thin crust in more exposed areas and fluffy dust in shadier spots made for slow going. Some pine tree debris in places.

Photos:

(Carter Green)

We made the trip to Bearskin Lodge and were not disappointed. While the Cities was basking in the mid-70's and we were in a winter wonderland! Freshly groomed trails and the skis were running fast. Bearskin and Golden Eagle Lodge never disappoint. The staff and service are always friendly and helpful. The trails offer everything from easy rolling terrain to exhilarating hills! We skied on fresh snow and the base is easily two feet. It should be on every skiers bucket list. 77 km of trail, skiing on the edge of the BWCA, and complete solitude!

Photos:

(Jim Williams)

We skied Old Logging Camp Trail, Summer Home Trail, Beaver Dam Trail, and North-South Link. Excellent Spring skiing. All trails covered and recently groomed.

Photos:

(Julie Juntti)

It has been some years since we have been back to the Central Gunflint and Golden Eagle Lodge and I am not sure why we waited so long. Ski trails are perfectly groomed with great glide and firm landings. Beautiful long downhills, perfectly groomed for speed and fun. Grooming is regularly done, all the trails are accessible. Beautiful scenery and the lighted trail at Golden Eagle- Wolf Ridge was magical all three nights.

Photos:

(Melanie Erickson)