Spring may be on the horizon, but the winter recreation season is just getting underway in earnest across the region as recent snowfall has trail conditions in the best shape of the winter so far.

With enough snow to work with, trail groomers have been out regularly and conditions are rated as good along the Taconite Trail, from Tower to Ely, with a foot of snow and a two to four-inch base. The Arrowhead has a four to six-inch base and is rated as good north of Hwy. 23, and fair to the south.

“Local lake riding is excellent right now,” said Christa Miller, Tower area supervisor for DNR Parks and Trails.

To the north, at Voyageurs National Park, conditions remain excellent. The border region has received more snow than other parts of the Arrowhead over the past several weeks, which has meant good riding for weeks. “If you haven’t visited Voyageurs National Park yet this winter, now is the time,” stated park ranger Jim Hummel. “Snowmobiling, skiing, andsnowshoeing conditions are perfect. All of the park’s 110 miles of snowmobile trails and over 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are now open and ready,” he said.

If you haven’t hit the trails yet this season, don’t wait. With milder weather in the forecast for next week, this weekend’s snow conditions will likely be the best of the season.