Skied from Deeryard trailhead clockwise around the loop. Stopped to do 3 intervals up to top of Firetower hill from the lean to corner. Good coverage, firm tracks, good pole plants all the way. Only complaint was the squiggly / wavy nature of the track which is not a problem skiing up but on the long 2k fast descent from Fire Tower, it would have been nice if the tracks were a little straighter.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied across Deeryard Lake and then around the large loop on the Deeryard section of Norpine today. The fresh snow was perfect and fluffy and several others had skiied before us making it easier to glide a bit in the woods. No sign of grooming yet today, but still a wonderful ski and plenty of snow for later in the week too. The lake was not slushy at all but it was very windy with drifts forming and changing.

(Sarah Waddle)

From the Deeryard trailhead skied 1.5 laps including Fire Tower. Light snow dusting covered some of the debris and it was a nice ski. Did occasionally get pine cones stuck in my wax but they came out easily. But I used B skis for that reason.

(Tim Nelson)

Skied the deer yard loop and the fire tower spur. Inch of fluff had fallen since last grooming, but prior skiers had largely cleared the track. 90% beautiful, few short sections with leaves or pine detritus. Easy to avoid. I used B skis but would have been comfortable with good skis. Great afternoon ski!

(Steven Goetz)

Skied up the pioneer loop from the snowmobile lot trailhead off Hwy61. Skied over to Deeryard, around Deeryard, up and down Fire Tower, and back down west pioneer and ridge run. The lower trails (West Pioneer and Ridge Run) are in terrible shape, all ice, dirt, frozen foot prints and debris. A new logging road crosses the Deeryard connection twice, and has eliminated east Pioneer loop for the rest of the season. Warnings have been put up, but logging roads require ski removal and I suggest walking the short distance between crossings between the road crossings. The good news is the deeryard loop is in great shape. I would only ski it from the Deeryard trailhead until we get more snow. The rest of the trails are hazardous.

(Tim Nelson)

I skied from the parking area on Lutsen Mountain road north towards 4, and back. Humps, lots of debris and sticks poking through the snow. Also footprints. I’d recommend against it until there is more snow.

(Jacquelyn Bacigalupi)

From the snowmobile parking lot off Hwy 61, skied up West Pioneer, over to Deeryard, around Deeryard, up and down firepower, around the Short loop and back down the east Pioneer loop. Tracks are mostly good, well formed except on lower Pioneer where hikers have done lots of damage making some downhills a bit scary. Tree debris is an issue on the Pioneer loop and some dirt is showing thru. Therefore, B skis. Deeryard loop is the best with few dirt spots, some stubble, and firm but glazed tracks. Short loop is still scary, but I removed the blocking branches from yesterday. More snow will help!

(Tim Nelson)

Did a loop around Deeryard including Fire Tower and the Short Loop. Good coverage but for some stubble and still recommend B Skis. Tracks were well formed and slightly glazed. Used universal grip tape. The downhills on the Short Loop are screaming fast, curvy, and wavy. On the first downhill there is small branch across the trail. I did not see it in time to stop and jumped it. I could not stop to remove it, so beware. Will be back tomorrow, skipping the short loop!

(Tim Nelson)

Conditions were very good on the Deeryard Trail. A bit soft and slow, largely due to the beautiful sunshine and warm temps. Single track skiing for classic, and a bit hard to pole plant on the side. I would go again in a minute!

(Mary Brainerd)

From the snowmobile parking lot trailhead just west of Cascade State Park, I skied up to Cascade, up west Pioneer loop, over to Deeryard, around to the Fire tower loop, up and down Fire tower, around short loop, and back to Pioneer loop and down the east side back to the parking lot. Snow cover was good once you were part way up the Pioneer loop. Tracks were well formed throughout. Tree debris and stubble were modest issues on lower trails which is why I recommended B skis. The short loop was wavy and narrow, with a couple of divot danger spots on the downhills which are very fast. Walkers have chopped up the skate/bike lane on the connector and lower Pioneer loops but did not harm the classic tracks. Classic track seems to be more toward the center of the trail vs what I remember from past experience. That was nice for a firmer track, fewer face whips, and plunging pole plants.

(Tim Nelson)