The trail reports are done by me; Keith Stevens. I am one of four groomer operators and the Web Master for the Club.   I will try to give you the most up to date and honest reports I can.   If you look to old reports you will see that we say when it's bad as well as when it's good.  We are snowmobilers and understand how frustrating a false report can be.  

2007-2008

4/09/2008:  As you can guess it's over.  All trail signs and lake stakes have been removed.   The groomers are serviced and put away, and now the long wait begins.  Thank you to all the land owners, volunteers, and local businesses that donated so much this year.  Have a great summer.

3/13/2008:  Deteriorating.   Above freezing temps for the last 5 days mixed with some drizzle and freezing rain is eating up the snow.  Trails are still ridable but logging areas, intersections and some corners are looking pretty tough.  All land and lake trails are still open but the best riding will be found out on the lakes.  Colder temps forecasted for this weekend will let the groomers get out for the first time this week.  While grooming; we will start to collect signs and items out of the shelters.  More than likely this will be the end of the grooming.

3/5/2008  2-3" of new since the last report.  Everything is still in good shape.  We have slowed down a little on grooming because late season traffic is pretty light.  No need to spend time and money just to cover a few tracks.  During the week you can almost have the trails to yourself!   There is not much riding left for the season, so get out while it's good.

2/27/2008:  The past weekend was great weather.  Unfortunately the warmer temps did take a small toll on the trails.  The snow has settled and a couple a bare spots did show up.  We are still sitting pretty good and the groomers have been able to repair most everything. The only sections that are in poor condition are the handful of logging areas.  The rest of the land trails are good to excellent.  Lake trails remain good. We still have a lot of windblown drifts that are HARD.  Off trails lake ride is bumpy to say the least.  It is advised to stay on the groomed and marked trail for most enjoyment.     VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked (not groomed)
.     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(not groomed)
.     Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail)Open and Staked
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~Open and Staked
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~Open and Staked

2/20/2008:  The past weekends hot dog roast was a great success!  Thank you to all the volunteers and the businesses who's donations made it all possible.  We handed out approx. 300 hot dogs.  Of course we will do it all again next year.  Borderland received about 1" of new snow since the last report.  Temps have remained cold and the trails are holding up nicely.  All of the land trails are in very good to excellent condition.  Lake trails are all open and staked (see 2/14 post).  Some limited lake grooming has been done, however most of the lake surfaces are wind blown and covered with hard drifts. Please be careful as the drifts can send you flying; I know.  The weekend forecast looks great so get out and enjoy.

2/14/2008:  Happy Valentines Day. We have received about 2+" of new snow since the last report.   Trails are the best we have seen this season.  With the exception of a few small logging areas; trails are very good to excellent.  All of the land trails are being groomed on a regular schedule.  Lake trails have improved and are now ALL open.   The Black Bay portage is now being groomed but other portages do not have enough ice for grooming equipment.  This will be a busy weekend.  SnowGoer magazine will be here, the Vintage Club will be having there annual ride with over 100 participants, and it's Presidents weekend.  Please be cautious and courteous.    Our cub will also be having the annual FREE Hot Dog and Hot chocolate at the Hagerman/Arrowhead shelter on Sat 1-3pm.  All or welcome so stop by and say HI.             VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     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 Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~Open and Staked
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~Open and Staked

2/3/2008:  Sorry about the delayed report, it's been one of those weeks.  Land trails remain in good to excellent condition in the area.  I did ride about 100 miles this weekend and found the occasional exposed  rock or dirt on the corner.   Nothing serious and overall trails were fast and smooth.  There was some confusion of the lake trail status over the weekend. The list below is the correct and up to date list from Voyageurs National Park.  Please note that you can not make the loop from Kettle Falls to Ash River, one way from Rainy Lake side only.  Lake surfaces trail are fair to good.   However lake portages are ROUGH!  Groomers are unable to get to the potages and increased traffic has taken it's toll.  Also note that within VNP the lakes speed limit is 45mph and the portages are 25mph.  They are strictly enforcing this so watch out!
VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     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) Not Open
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Not Open
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Not Open

1/26/2008:  Lake Trail update
VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     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) ~Not Open
.     Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) ~Open and Staked
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Not Open
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Not Open

1/23/2008:  The past week has been very cold.  The trails saw little to no traffic in the last 7 days and this gave us a chance to really fine tune the trails.  All of our land trails are in very good to excellent condition with a hard packed base.     This weekend looks to be close to 30!  Get out and have fun.

1/17/2008:  Put on the Underarmor!  -26 F this morning.  This is just what we have been waiting for to improve lake conditions.  Only two lake trails have been opened within VNP.  The rest of the rest of the lake trails remain unsafe with thin ice and slush.   With any luck we will se some more green by this time next week.  I will be sure to keep you posted.  VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Not Open
.     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) ~Not Open
.     Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) ~ Not Open
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Not Open
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Not Open
All of the land trails are being groomed and in good to excellent condition.  Even the Birchdale trail and the Northern Connection have finally been opened by the groomer after weeks of water and swamps stopping us.  Stay warm and be safe.  Note: due to thin ice the radar runs at Thunderbird Lodge this Saturday have been cancelled.  They hope to reschedule later this winter.

1/11/2008:  Last weekends melt down was not catastrophic.  We missed the rain and the above freezing temps just settled the loose snow.  Grooming for the week was scaled back but groomers have been out the last part of the week to dress up the trails.  Last night we received about 3" of new snow to make make for a beautiful upcoming weekend.   Lake and land trail conditions are unchanged from the 1/5 report.

1/5/2008:   Happy New Year!  No new snow since the last report but the trails are really starting to take shape.  Land Trails:  All of the land trails are being groomed on a regular basis and in good to excellent condition.  With one exception of the last 5 miles on the west end of the trail to Birchdale.  Water still is stopping the groomer there.  Regular grooming schedule consist of every trail groomed at least once per week and many of the higher traffic trails groomed multiple times per week.   Lake Trails:  Ice conditions are slow to improve.  Most of the lakes have unsafe ice and travel is only suggested on a staked trail.  "If it's staked it's safe."  Here is the latest from Voyageurs Nat'l Park. VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Not Open
.     Black Bay to Kabetogama Lake to Ash River (Green Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     Ash River to Crane Lake (Green Trail) ~Not Open
.     Chain of Lakes (Dashed Black Trail) ~Not Open
.     Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) ~ Not Open
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Not Open
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Not Open

12/28/2007:  I hope everyone has recovered from the Christmas rush.  Improvement!   The land trails are really starting to look nice.  3-4 " of new snow since the last report and the local and state groomers have been running.  90% of the land trails have been covered and are in good overall condition.  Wet swampy areas still plague the last 10% but they are snow covered and ridable.   Lake trails remain closed and unchanged.  The lakes have numerous slush pockets and areas of thin ice, travel is not advised.  Lots of good stuff out there, have fun and be safe!

12/22/2007:  It looks like we are getting an early Christmas present.  2" of snow last night and still coming with 4" more by the end of the weekend.  The groomers were out a little last week.  We still have wet areas of the trail that are ungroomable.   60% of land trails are groomed and in fair to good condition.  40% ungroomed and snow covered with about 14" of snow.  Lake trails are still closed due to thin ice.  Voyageurs Nat'l Park has been checking ice depths twice per week.   All lake travel is considered dangerous.  Have a Merry Christmas!

12/13/2007:  We have a little over 12" on the ground now and a little more predicted for today.   The groomers have been out where they can.  While we have had cold conditions the amount of snow is keeping some areas from freezing.  The wet or swampy areas can not support our groomers.  As yours truly found out Monday night.  After working for 2 hours to get out of a swampy hole I finally had to call for help to tow the groomer.   About 50% of the land trails have been groomed and are in fair to good condition.   The rest of the lands trails are snow covered and ungroomed.  Lake trails are still closed and any lake travel is not advisable.

12/03/2007:  Wow what a great start!  We missed some of the largest snowfall totals but we came out pretty good.  Currently we have just under 10" on the ground.  The club had trail clearing day on the 1st.  Most of the trails are cleared and signs are hung.   However some soft spots and mud holes are lurking just under the snow.  We will start some limited grooming this week in the known dry areas.  I think it may be a few weeks before all of the trails system can be covered.  There just isn't enough frost in the ground to support the groomers. Lake trails are closed and considered dangerous.   Get the sleds tuned up, it looks like a great season!  Don't have a sled?  Check out the club's Winter Sports swap Meet Dec 8th!

11/06/2007:   Hello again!  It's time to brush off the dust on the ridetheborder site and start getting ready for a new season.  The club is optimistic that this season will be much better than last.  We have been praying to the snow Gods nightly.  No major changes for this winter.  But the club will be having the first annual winters sports swap meet in the groomer garage on Dec 8th.  More details can be found on the activities page.  Please check back as the season gets started and we hope to see you on the trails!

2006-2007

3/11/2007:  It's over.  The last 3 days have been above freezing with today toping out in the 50's, and now rain.  Trails are in poor condition with bare spots and ice.   This will be the last trail report for the season unless we get some sort of freak blizzard.   Thank you to all that visited the area we hope to see you in the years to come.

3/8/2007:  Temps have remained cold and we have not lost any snow.  Groomers have been out to cover the high traffic trails.  Good conditions should hold through the weekend. 

3/6/2007:  Trail conditions remain good in borderland.  It is snowing today and we are supposed to get 2"+.  However the big snows that hit MPLS, Duluth and central MN did not make it to us.  Our groomers have been out covering all of our trails.  For the most part they are in good condition with enough snow to cover most hazards.  A few humps and holes are present but not many.  Lake conditions are snow covered but drifted.   Strong winds over the weekend have drifted the open lake areas but have made some nice powder play areas in the back bays.  Riding will remain good until it warms up.   We do not have enough surplus snow to survive warm temps or rain.   Ride it while you can, our winter days are numbered.

2/26/2007:  I just got back from grooming.  Hey that's the first time I said that this winter!!   Since the last post we have received about 4+" of new snow and some areas a little more.  Both groomers were out today and we will be on all of our trails in the next couple of days.  A little snow does a lot, all of the land based trails are (or will be) in good condition.  We have enough snow that grooming covers most of the humps, bumps and holes.  I rode 80 miles on Sun mostly on the lake.  Lake conditions are fair to excellent.  Open lake areas are wind blown with drifts/bare ice.  Back bays and shorelines are awesome with enough snow to carve some corners. If you do not have studs be a little cautious on the lakes.  In many areas the snow has not stuck to the ice and it is slick (great for drifter racing).  This weekend should shape up to be pretty good. Have Fun!

2/23/2007:  Only 1" of new snow since the last report.  1-2 " more is expected this weekend.   No grooming has been done, look to the lakes for the better riding. 

2/19/2007:  No change since the 2/11 report.  BUT, the forecast looks promising with some potential of snow everyday this next week.  I will post again on Thursday or Friday with an update.

02/11/2007:  No change, no new snow, no grooming.  All trails are open but with little snow leaving them in poor to fair condition.  If you come up lake riding well be your best bet.   All lake trails are open and staked, however you may find more snow next to the shore lines. 

02/01/2007:  A little improvement.  All of the lake trails are now open and staked.  There is light snow cover on the lake but a few bare spots are still present.  Better snow can be found off trail along the shorelines (please be careful).  Land trails are still in poor to fair condition.  Groomers have only been out to pack grass and cat tails with no consistent grooming schedule.  We are at the tipping point were 3" of snow would make a BIG difference.  Keep you fingers crossed. 
VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     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 Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Open and Staked
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Open to Cranberry Bay

01/17/2007:  We do have a little glimmer of hope.  Over the past week temps have been very cold.   -teens and -20's for lows.  The ice conditions have improved greatly.  We have not received any new snow so overall conditions are poor with no trails being groomed. Here is the latest update from Voyageurs Nat'l Park
VNP Snowmobile Trails:
.     International Falls to Kettle Falls (Purple Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     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) ~ Not Open
.     Ash River to Kettle Falls (Yellow Trail) ~ Open and Staked
.     East Namakan Lake to Sandpoint Lake (Blue Trail) ~ Open and Staked
Rainy Lake Ice Road ~ Open to Cranberry Bay

01/08/2007:  No improvement.  We have about 1" of new snow yesterday.  No grooming, no new lake trails open, no fun. 

01/01/2007:   Happy New Year!  Nothing yet folks.  We had 4-5" forecasted the other day and ended up with some rain.  We now have 1-2" of snow and no grooming.  The only positive thing is that the Park Service has staked the Green Trail from Rainy Lake to Ash River.  The Sand Bay Trail on Rainy Lake is also marked.   Ice is safe on these trails but conditions are poor with little to no snow.   Keep your fingers crossed.

12/25/2006:  All I wanted for Christmas is winter.  So far Santa has not delivered.  Not much to report....3" of snow, no grooming, no lake trails staked, no riding.  Looks like we will be waiting a little longer. 

12/15/2006:  No change in conditions.  Not much has happened folks.  We have a few inches of snow, maybe 3"and  groomers have not even packed the trails.  Ice conditions are poor and not recommended for travel.  Bottom line is we are still waiting for winter.  Please do not make any plans for riding yet.  We will keep you posted if any changes occur. HAPPY HOLIDAYS from The Int'l Voyageurs Snowmobile Club.

12/4/2006:  Trails are officially open!  Over the last week the club rented a track driven bobcat with front brush cutter.  Over 30 hours of seat time were logged trying to improve some of the tighter areas.   Trail clearing day was on the 2nd and we only had 7 volunteers.  Com'on people this stuff just not magically happen.  Trails are dry and most of them have been cleared.  Snow depth is about 4".  We have seen some locals out riding but I would not advise anything yet.  The lake is frozen over and I have heard of 4-5" of ice.  I see a few tracks but would consider most of the lake dangerous at this time.  We are off to an average start and am confident we will be riding soon.

11/12/2006:  Greetings fellow snowmobilers!  I am sure most of you are getting ready for the up coming season and the Club is no different.  We are very excited to be in our new home.   This summer the purchase of our groomer garage was finalized and we now have all of our equipment and supplies under one roof.  It will be a pleasant change to doing routine maintenance in a heated building.  The trail closure just East of town in still in effect.  We are still working with some alternative ideas for this winter.   This problem has become very frustrating as none of our ideas have panned out.    We will keep you posted.