Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club for Cross-Country Ski Trail Updates
Great Minnesota Ski Pass
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
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Glide through the North.
There are 198 KM of cross country ski trails in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. Remember to purchase your MN Ski Trail Pass. You must have the MN Ski Trail Pass to ski on these trails. The Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club, Itasca County and the MN DNR groom and maintain the cross country ski trails in the greater Grand Rapids, MN area. These trails vary between beginner to expert level. The Itasca County Cross Country Ski Map designates each trail so everyone can select trails that fit their ability; many family friendly trails to choose from. There are a mix of flat trails, trails with a mix of hills and curves that are located within mixed hardwood and pine forests that wind around bogs and area lakes. The Itasca Area Trails are very scenic, and a great opportunity to seek solitude. Please support the Itasca cross-country ski trails by considering being a member of the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club
LEGION TRAILS
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: Near Grand Rapids High School north on Hwy 38.
Description: Lighted trails wind through big pines and overlook Hale Lake. Snowshoe and mountain bike trails inside the loops.
SYLVAN POINT TRAIL
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: 1 mile west on Golf Course Rd, north on SW 14th Ave to trailhead.
Description: Connects Grand Itasca Hospital with forest History Center
Directions: Near Grand Rapids High School north on Hwy 38.
Description: Lighted trails wind through big pines and overlook Hale Lake. Snowshoe and mountain bike trails inside the loops.
FOREST HISTORY CENTER
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: 2 miles west on Golf Course Rd, north 1/2 mile on Co. 76.
Description: Trails wind through 1900 logging camp and virgin timber.
PORTAGE PARK
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: West Hwy 2, SW 1 mile on Co. 63, west 1 mile on Lake Street.
Description: Trails to scenic river overlook.
MINNESOTA POWER
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: West Hwy 2 past stoplight in Cohasset, west 1 mile on Co. 87.
ROBIN BAKER BLUEBERRY HILLS
Level: Beginner/Expert
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: 2 miles north of Deer River on Hwy 6, 3 miles east on Co. 142 (Chase Lake Rd).
Description: Prelude loops for intermediate with gentle hills. Lake and Tower End sport plunging downhills among high pines and deep cedar valleys. Very scenic.
SUGAR HILLS
Level: Intermediate/Expert
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: S. Hwy 169 7 miles, 4 miles west on Co. 17, 3 miles south on 449.
Description: The warming room is open during the nordic ski season, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Climb to Thunder Mountain for panoramic view.
MOUNT ITASCA
Level: Beginner/Expert
Grooming style: Skate and classic
Directions: E. Hwy 169 to Coleraine, west on Co. 61.
Description: Fee for Biathlon range, hilly course, snowmaking. Public trails west of chalet.
ALDER POND
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: E. Hwy 169 across Prairie River, 2 miles E on Co. 21, 1 mile south on E. Rangeline Rd, 1 mile to trailhead parking.
AMEN LAKE
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: Hwy 38 north 12 miles, Co. 19 west 2 miles, Co. 246 north half mile.
Description: Hilly trails connect to south Suomi trails in Chippewa National Forest.
WABANA
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: Hwy 38 north 7 miles, NE 8 miles on Co. 49 and 59.
Description: Enjoy this scenic classic trail through the woods. Some elevation changes, but not too difficult. River Loop and Wabana Creek Loop are must-see sections by the creek.
BIG RIDGE
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: Hwy 2 East to Hwy 65, north to Goodland, 4 miles to Co. 560, west half mile to parking lot.
Description: Hardwood forest with increasingly difficult terrain from beginner to advanced loops. Caution!
STONEY RIDGE
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: 18 miles north of Nashwauk on Hwy 65.
Description: Watch for moose!
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: River Road (Co. 3) south 7 miles.
Description: Rolling hills and majestic pines.
COWHORN
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: River Road (Co. 3) south 6 miles, west on Wendigo Rd 3 miles, south on Co. 427.
Description: No dogs or snowshoeing on Cowhorn Loop.
BOOMER-BLUE
Level: Beginner
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: River Road (Co. 3) south 6 miles, west on Wendigo Rd 4 miles.
Description: Double-tracked with snowshoe lane. Intersects Cowhorn Loop.
SCENIC STATE PARK
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: 7 miles SE of Bigfork on Scenic Hwy 7.
Description: Classic trails through majestic pines.
SUOMI HILLS
Level: Intermediate/Expert
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: Hwy 38 north 13 miles to south access, or 15 miles to north access.
Description: South trail connects to Amen Lake Trail.
TROUT LAKE
Level: Intermediate
Grooming style: Classic
Directions: Hwy 38 N. 12 miles, east 2 miles on Co. 60, north 2 miles on Co. 335.
Description: Double-tracked classic ski 3 miles into Historic Joyce Estate and 2 miles on North Trail.
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