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 Breakfast's 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. Seperate marked snowhoes trails also are available. Pincushion Mountain Bed and Breakfast offers 4 guestrooms with private baths in a property designed especially for cross country skiers by cross country skiers. We have been involved in the cross country ski and lodging industry for 30 years. We relocated to Grand Marais from the Southwest near Flagstaff, Arizona in 1984. We were in search of dependable snow, ski friendly terrian and a unique community.

Pincushion Mountain Cross Country Ski Report Mar 28 Snow Depth in Woods: 0" Compacted base: 0" New snow last 24 hrs: 0" New snow last 7 days: 0" Groomed with classic tracks: 0 k Groomed for skating: 0 k Surface conditions: n/a Last grooming day: n/a Snowshoe trail: n/a Total snow for season 56" Wednesday March 28th, 2007: The snow has melted for the season, grooming for xc skiing will begin in Nov or Dec 2007. For possible updated Pincushion ski report see: Devils Track Nordic Ski Shop Pincushion snow conditions. North Superior Ski and Run Club Pincushion snow report. Gunflint Trail snow report. Skinny Ski.com NE Minn / North Shore trail report.

We found it here - near Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail. So we invite you to sample our hospitality for a cross country ski vacation in a small, quiet trailside setting. The Pincushion trail system has been summer maintained, smoothed and mowed to prepare the ground for snow and often is referred to as one of the regions most consistent trail conditions even in marginal snow years.

Typical day time tempertures are in the teens for highs with dry snow conditions and blue kick wax. The trail's Pisten Bully grooming machine can work the snow (even in icy conditions) to provide a quality skiing experience. If you are looking for more trails the Central Gunflint Nordic System (68 Km) is a 25 minute drive and the Cascade / Lutsen North Shore X-C Trails (125 km) has trailheads as close as 15 minutes away from Pincushion. You are centrally located to over 375 kilometers of groomed cross country ski trails within 45 minutes of Pincushion! If you are into downhill or telemark skiing, Lutsen Mountains Ski Area is a 20 minute drive.

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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 groomed snow base. We compact first snowfalls before the trails are skiable. Thanks and think 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 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 regionally acclaimed system, offers skiers of all abilities opportunities to enjoy gentle scenic terrian, 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 Jauary.

A skiers 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 avilable 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.

More Trail Information:
Pincushion Mountain Bed and Breakfast,
(218) 387-1276 or (800) 542-1226

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