While people in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area of Minnesota might be looking out their window and thinking it’s another terrible winter, there is rideable snow much closer than many people might think!
A large swath of Minnesota got snow this week while the south and west parts of the state got rain. In fact, the trails are actually in fantastic shape a couple of hours north of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and even many trails in southeast Minnesota. With comfortable temperature in the forecast, it might be time to make a small trip to one of these locations.
What’s below is the text from the Snow Goer Minnesota Snowmobile Report, a weekly enews from Snow Goer to riders in and around Minnesota that highlights three places each week and gives timely snow and trail condition reports. Enjoy.
February 2, 2017
PLACES TO RIDE THIS WEEKEND
Longville – Like some other locations in north-central and northeastern Minnesota, about six inches of fresh snow fell earlier this week in the hometown of snowmobile stunt man and X Games hero Levi LaVallee, and you won’t have to attempt a double backflip to enjoy it! Trails spiderweb in many directions in this region and weave through the trees. If leaving Longville, make the brief trip to the Anchorage Inn and then choose between the trails that intersect there. Head north and east toward Remer and you’ll find the super-highway that is the Soo Line Trail. Or work your way south toward Crow Wing County – there isn’t a wrong answer. Forecast for this weekend: Saturday 26 with a chance of light snow; Sunday 17 and cloudy.
Hoyt Lakes – The folks up on the Minnesota Iron Range have new snow, freshly groomed trails and really good conditions – don’t let them keep it all to themselves this weekend! In fact, a member of Team Snow Goer is literally in his truck driving to the Range for a weekend of riding as this is being written. Many of the big state trails in the larger area – including the Taconite, Arrowhead and Willard Munger – were updated to either “Good,” “Very Good” or “Excellent” on the Minnesota DNR website in the last two days, thanks to that fresh 6-plus inches of snow. It should be a great weekend to ride! Forecast for the weekend: Saturday 22 with snow; Sunday 17 and mostly cloudy.
Stewartville – If you’re looking for a quick day-ride this weekend, you don’t have to trailer to the far north to get a few miles on. There is still snow – and a bit of fresh snow! – in sections of southeastern Minnesota, and longtime Snow Goer photo model Mitch Brummond said the groomers worked the trails past his place in Olmstead County last night. Some trails and ditches in neighboring Dodge County to the west are open and being groomed as well, and the La Crescent Snowmobile Club to the east has also been out grooming and reports two fresh inches of snow. As is typical, the riding is better in the trees and ditches than it is in wide open fields, where you might encounter some dirt. Forecast for this weekend: Saturday windy, cloudy and 31; Sunday 26 and partly cloudy.
WEATHER FORECAST
LONGER DAYS AND AVERAGE TEMPS – The statewide forecast is calling for a temperate weekend, with highs ranging from the teens and 20s in the north to near 30 in the south, and a pretty good chance of snow in the northeast. Sunsets have crept back a bit, giving riders longer days to enjoy the trails before dark.
UPCOMING MINNESOTA EVENTS
Feb. 2-4 – Black Woods Blizzard Tour, Duluth
Feb. 3-4 – Alexandria Winter Spectacular by ORA and TLR Cup, Alexandria
Feb. 4 – Dennis Kirk Championship Speed Run, Rush Lake
Feb. 4 – 20th Annual One Lunger 100, Brainerd
Feb. 4 – Ice Fishing Contest and Scorpion Homecoming, Crosby
Feb. 4-5 – North Country Snowmobile Club 4th Annual Radar Run, Bemidji