VNP

The final weekend of great snowmobiling conditions in Voyageurs National Park may be quickly approaching. With the addition of fresh snow today and tomorrow, winter trails in the park remain in excellent condition with a solid base of 15-20” of snow. All of the park’s 110 miles of snowmobile trails and over 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are open.

Crews will continue to groom all trails through the weekend. However, due to the forecasted warm temperatures and rain next week, grooming operations are expected to discontinue for the season on Monday.

Hazardous pressure ridges are still present, but are easily negotiated. Snowmobilers must continue to use extreme caution and only cross the pressure ridges at designated crossings along the staked route. Slow travel speeds are highly recommended.

The Kabetogama Lake Ice Road and Rainy Lake Ice Road will remain open as long as the ice is safe. Park staff will closely monitor the roads especially with the warm temperatures forecasted to occur next week. These roads will be closed and posted when conditions are determined unsafe for travel.

The snowmobile speed limit is 45 mph on frozen lake surfaces and 25 mph on all overland portages.

Snowshoes are available for loan at the Rainy Lake Visitor near International Falls, Arrowhead Lodge in Kabetogama, and Ash Trail Lodge in Ash River. The Rainy Lake Visitor Center near International Falls has adult-sized skis available for rent and children’s skis available for loan during business hours. The visitor center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Regular weekly winter trail conditions reports are available at www.nps.gov/voya.

Snowmobile Trails

• International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) — open and staked.

• Rainy Lake/Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) — open and staked.

• Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) — open and staked.

• Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) — open and staked.

• Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) — open and staked.

• East Namakan Lake to Sand Point Lake (Blue Trail) — open and staked.

Ski Trails

• Echo Bay Ski Trail — open, packed and tracked.

• Black Bay Ski Trail — open, packed and tracked.

• Tilson Connector Trail — open, packed and tracked.

• KabAsh Trail — open.

Snowshoe Trails

• Blind Ash Bay Trail — open.

• Sullivan Bay Trail — open.

• Oberholtzer Trail — open.

IVSC

The trail reports by the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club are posted at www.ridetheborder.com/trail-report.html