Current Ski Conditions on the Banadad
Spring Banadad Bulletin - This past weekend three parties skied the entire trail. Along the way they stayed overnight in the Croft Yurt at Bedew Lake. Reporting on conditions along the trail, each group stated that the trail remains in excellent shape. While the track early in the morning was frozen hard, light snow that has been occurring overnight during the past few days has mitigated the potential icy conditions. With over twenty inches of snow on the ground, it is likely that the Banadad will remain open and ski-able well into April. For current trail conditions go to the Banadad Trail Association’s website .
Also it is crust skiing time! Conditions are perfect; you can ski anywhere on the frozen snow crust. It’s almost effortless skiing, especially if you use the skate-skiing technique. Crust is best after a few days of thaw conditions followed by cold nights. Every day is different, so just go out and see what it’s like. Crust sets up best in the mornings, and sometimes the sun will soften the crust too much by midday or early afternoon. If you hit the right conditions, it’s great going. Crust skiing takes place on the Gunflint from the end of March through early April. When conditions are right the lakes are turned into giant flat ski trails enabling skiers to travel from lake to lake and to get into remote BWCA lakes.