The 41 km. Banadad Ski Trail System is accessible from two trail heads, both with free parking; the eastern trail head is located 30 miles up the Gunflint Trail off the Lima Grade; the west end trail head is on the Gunflint Trail at Fire # 10045. In addition to the Banadad the trail system consists of the Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Tim Knapp Trails. The Banadad is the BWCA longest tracked ski trail and likely the longest wilderness tracked ski trail in the USA. For more info call 218-388-4487.

Monday, July 03, 2017

Moose and calf through Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B's yard and bull moose on Little Ollie Road.



Sunday, April 23, 2017

Ice-out Poplar Lake

If it was not for the cold weather last night and today  with temperatures now in the mid-twenties, ice in Poplar Lake would likely be out. As it is, yesterday a large flouting ice pack was still in the lake. The smaller lakes including Swamper and through out the mid-Gunflint area are ice free. On Little Ollie Lake, where Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B is located, the ice went out several days ago. Photos are of Little Ollie Lake and Poplar Creek,


Wednesday, April 19, 2017







Lakes are beginning to open in the mid Gunflint area - Most of the smaller lakes are open. Little Ollie Lake next to Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B is open with just a bit of floating ice in the east end remaining. Poplar Creek with the spring thaw is flowing nicely.

Still snow on the Banadad Ski Trail but not enough to ski.

Saturday, March 25, 2017

New Snow; More on the way- Skiing Excellent


Snow Fall with in 24 Hours -3 inches

Snow Fall past 7 days-  3 inches

Snow on the Ground- 14 inches

Trails Tracked- 13 kilometers tracked- Banadad to just past Lizz Portage, Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Knapp trails..

Description   - Skiing is excellent. Groomed today (Saturday) more snow is expected the next two or three days. 

Saturday, March 18, 2017

Banadad Trails still Open

Snow Fall with in 24 Hours -dusting

Snow Fall past 7 days- 2

Snow on the Ground- 13 inches

Trails Tracked- 13 kilometers - Banadad to just past Lizz Portage, Lace Lake, Tall Pines and Knapp.



Description   -Trails tracked yesterday and we planned to track the entire Banadad today when we were expecting more snow. Instead it rained and wiped out most of yesterday's fresh snow. Had to call off tracking the Banadad.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Snow on the Trails; More Needed

There has not been much change of the conditions on the Banadad this past week. We only had about 1/2 inches of snow during this period and what snow is on the ground is crusty so it does not blow around. There is still 16" of measure snow remaining on the ground. Banadad does have a slight track yet.  Likely groomable snow will arrive this coming weekend.

Last week four parties ski the entire Banadad and many more ski in and out from the two ends. I can not say we currently have great skiing but the trail is skiable.



Thursday, March 02, 2017

Banadad Tracked Skiing Good to Excellent


Snow Fall with in 24 Hours -dusting

Snow Fall past 7 days- 2 1/2 inches

Snow on the Ground- 19 inches

Trails Tracked- Entire 41 kilometers of the Banadad Ski System tracked.  Banadad (tracked today), Lace Lake, Tall Pines & Knapp (tracked day before yesterday)

Conditions  - Ski Conditions are good to excellent with the exception of some spots where the moose were on the trail and trashed it. The snow that fell two days ago enabled us to set tracks over the crusty snow underneath.
  On the groomer is Missy,

Friday, February 10, 2017

Lots of Snow Falls; Banadad Trail Tracked

Snow Fall with in 24 Hours -dusting

Snow Fall past 7 days- seven inches

Snow on the Ground- 29 inches

Trails Tracked- Entire 41 kilometers of the Banadad Ski System tracked.  Banadad (tracked Yesterday), Lace Lake, Tall Pines & Knapp (tracked day before yesterday)

Conditions  - Ski Conditions are Excellent; tracks have a dusting of snow from last nights.For those that want to take on the Banadad. Do it!



Thursday, February 09, 2017

Six Inches of News Snow East End Trails Tracked


Snow on the Ground: 28"

New Snow Past 24 Hours: 6"

Tracked Trail: 13 Kilometers - Lace Lake, Tall Pines, Knapp and Banadad to Knapp. Tracked yesterday

Conditions: Excellent but cold today; much warmer tomorrow (Friday)

Friday, January 13, 2017

Entire Banadad Open and Tracked

Banadad tracked yesterday- a cold and windy day. Skiing should be excellent except in a few open areas along the trail where drifting snow might have drifted over the trail. Lace Lake & Tall Pines trails tracked today. Cold again today but warmer tomorrow -Saturday

Snow on the 23"

Last Tracked- Thursday and Friday

Conditions Good to Excellent

Sunday, January 08, 2017

More Snow on the Way

While we were going to track the Banadad today but we postpone it due to significant amount of snow headed our way over the next three days. More snow is good but it would not be good if we tracked the trail and the fresh tracks we cover with snow right away. So look for us with the tracksetter later this week.

Friday, January 06, 2017

Skiing Excellent but cold

The east of the Banadad Trails are tracked-Lace, Tall Pines, Knapp and part of the Banadad. Skiing is excellent. We are expecting to track the entire Banadad Sunday when it warms up.

Sunday, January 01, 2017

Banadad Ski Trail Opened on East End

DATE: January 1
SNOW DEPTH IN WOODS: 17"
Trail  Base: 14"
NEW SNOW PAST 24 HOURS: Trace
NEW SNOW PAST 7 DAYS: 3”
TRACKED TRAILS: 10 kilometers Lace Lake, Tall Pines, Tim Knapp and 3 kilometer east end of Banadad
 
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: the entire Banadad has been cleared and packed awaiting additional snow to track the Banadad
Trail Maintained and Groomed by the Banadad Trail Association.
for additional information contact 218-388-4487.

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