PINCUSHION MOUNTAIN TRAIL SYSTEM
3 miles from Grand Marais, Minnesota the Pincushion Mountain trail system averages 95 inches annually (8 feet). Overnight guests can ski directly from the Bed and Breakfasts front door. Pincushion Mountain’s 25 kilometers (15 miles of 12 loops) of Pisten Bully groomed and tracked trails range from easy to challenging. Pincushion grooms trails for both ski skating and traditional diagonal stride technique. Separate marked snowshoes trails also are available.
PINCUSHION MOUNTAIN TRAIL FACTS
GROOMING INFO
*Note to hikers and trail runners- Pincushion trails are closed to hiking and running starting November 19 – April 5 to maintain a groomed snow base. We compact first snow falls before the trails are skiable. Thanks and think of snow.
DISTANCE OF TRAIL
25 kilometers (15 miles) marked, groomed and tracked for classic technique with skating lanes. Groomed by Pisten Bully PB 130 snowcat. New 2 km beginner trail opened in the 2002-03 season.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
All skill levels, groomed for both classic and ski skating. 30% easier, 40% more difficult (intermediate) and 30% most difficult.
AVERAGE SKI SEASON.
December 15 to April 1. Total annual snowfall averages 95 inches or 8 feet. We average over a foot of snow on the ground for 110 days.
TRAIL ENTRANCE
*PUBLIC: Pincushion Mountain Area Trailhead (2 miles from Grand Marais), Off Gunflint Trail on County Rd. 53
The Pincushion Mountain Trail is the first cross country ski trail system you’ll pass on the Gunflint Trail, just 2 miles from Grand Marais, Minnesota. The extensive trails, of a regionally acclaimed system, offers skiers of all abilities opportunities to enjoy gentle scenic terrain, rolling hills or even steep hills. Take a break at an outstanding vista of Lake Superior from the summit of Pincushion Mountain, or glide along the gentle slope adjacent to the Devil Track River valley. Other optional sections are wonderful training grounds for seasoned racers. You may want to enter or watch our local Sawtooth Ski Race held on the Pincushion trail in early January.
A skier’s warming building (built 1998) is open daily, at the public entrance, to provide a place to warm up and take a break. At the same location is a 1.8 km soft lighted night ski trail that is available 7 nights a week.
Two newer trails (Snowman Loops) were completed in 2002 and add 2.4 km of easier loops between the B&B and the public trailhead entrance.
GROOMING, SNOW CONDITIONS AND MAPS
http://www.gunflint-trail.com/things-to-do/winter/trail-conditions/
MINNESOTA SKI PASS REQUIRED:
$15.00 ANNUAL PER PERSON OVER 15 YEARS OLD
Ski Pass can be purchased at several locations near Grand Marais including Bucks Hardware Hank, Holiday Station Store, Cascade State Park, Cook County Courthouse.