I skated the Pioneer and Deeryard Loops after a fresh grooming that dealt with very deep soft snow and a recent decision not to double track the system and open it to skating. The trail was not groomed wide enough to skate without skating over the classic tracks, but the deck was firm. In a effort not to break down the classic track I double poled in the track as much as possible. Outside pole plants were problematic in the soft snow, but the tracks were good. Next time back I will be in classic mode.

(Tim Nelson)

Tried to skate the Massie Hall loop from the Caribou Trail. Skate deck is very soft and roughed up with animal traffic, snowshoers, hikers, and on the connector, bikers. Skating was very difficult due the soft and rough condition of the skate lane. In addition, the heavy snow has left the skate lane narrower than usual and it was impossible to skate without impinging on the classic track. On the other hand, the classic track was in good shape and I double poled in it as much as I could. I strongly recommend using classic technique when skiing this loop until the skate deck is regroomed, firmed up, and made wider.

(Tim Nelson)

Classic skied the Hall-Massey loops in Lutsen. Lots of deer and wolf tracks! Great snow conditions, 20's after the last storm. Good set tracks and descent pole plants. Sunny and 28 degrees. Great skiing and will only get better as trails set up firm. The North Shore is in good snow shape for the winter. Magical!

(Ross Jacobsen)

Scheduling: A portion of system is closed this Saturday Jan 11 Fat Bike Norpine Race. Event will use Massie/Hall loops, Cascade connector and Pioneer/Deeryard Loops. OK to ski from Lutsen Ski Hill Road to Caribou CCH 4 and to Jonvick Creek, OK to Ski Whitesides area by Solbakken. Avoid the race area especially 10 am to 3 pm Saturday except to spectate. Trails will be regroomed post race. Trail signage in place at trailheads for limited winter fatbike access to Ski Hill Bike Loop, No Bikes in SNA or from SNA to CaribouCCH4. Bikes allowed conditions permitting on connector trail from Caribou CCH4 to Cascade Lodge. No bikes allowed on Massie/Hall, Pioneer/Deeryard except on race day.

(Elger Lorenzsonn)

Pioneer Loop and Ridge Run groomed. Trail depth ranges from 8" to 14". Deer Yard track in great condition, and plan to groom again this week.
Note: Norpine Trails will be closed to skiing on Saturday January 11th, as we host the 4th Annual Norpine Fat Tire Bike Race. This year the race has a new host location and will be run exclusively on Norpine Trail Association managed trails. Fat Tire biking on the Norpine Trail Association trails is still restricted outside of the race day to the connector trail between Cascade Lodge and Caribou Trail, when conditions allow.

(Thomas McAleer)

Skied the Deeryard trail up to the Fire Tower then back to the parking lot. A new dusting of snow that was skied in for us. Beautiful ski! Firm, deep tracks, 27 degrees. Our group was on the new scale skis and waxables with Toko red. Both performed well! Maybe going back on Sunday.

(Ross Jacobsen)

Skate skied from Cascade down to Caribou trail on the connecter trail this morning. Generally good conditions. Animal tracks varied from interesting to look at to a bit of a nuisance depending on volume. Hall and Massie loops were in great shape, although some snowmobilers evidently decided that 400 miles worth of trails were not enough for Cook County and ripped up the lower part of these loops from roughly the Hall/Massie intersection to just before Caribou trail; classic track included. Quick classic ski up at Deeryard this afternoon as well. Trails are in great shape up there.

(John Leaf)

Put in skier tracks around the Deeryard Loop this afternoon. Snow was dense and breaking trail was not hard as I only sunk in a few inches. There is about 5 inches of new snow on the trail with more coming so I do not expect grooming until it is done. But breaking trail during a break in the storm was lots of fun and good exercise. Coverage excellent and trail was pretty smooth since this dense heavy snow does not blow around or drift much. We will see what tomorrow brings but today was great.

(Tim Nelson)

12-15" dry snow on top of early season moist base in woods. System was rolled and is now tracked and groomed for skate and classic. Firm powder skate deck, early season rollers should fill with further snow. Nice crisp firm classic trax. Skied Massie/Hall area, deer/wolf/skier tracks in cedar cathedral.

Photos:

(Elger Lorenzsonn)