Gunflint Trail lodges see boost in winter business after latest snowfall

A stretch of snowfall in recent weeks has put winter in Cook County and the northeast region back on familiar footing.

The recent snowfall, totaling over two feet in some areas, has brought a resurgence of winter visitors eager to enjoy outdoor activities.

“People are really happy,” said Ruth Wagner, owner of Golden Eagle Lodge. “The resort’s full.”

In the past few weeks, Wagner said activity at Golden Eagle Lodge and up the Gunflint Trail has been “busy in general.”

From snowmobile trails to ski trails, the recent snow has directly improved conditions across the region, giving winter recreation a much-needed boost.

“Once we got that big pile of snow, everybody’s phones are ringing for March reservations,” Wagner said.

Wagner has been spending considerable time in the groomer, maintaining the extensive cross-country ski trails within the Central Gunflint Ski Trail System, owned by Golden Eagle Lodge and Bearskin Lodge.

“Ski trail conditions are looking like they’re going to hold and hold real well for a while,” Wagner said.

Cross country ski trail grooming operations | Photo by Ruth Wagner

This season, which is shaping up to be more in line with a typical Northland winter, is the kind that local businesses count on.

“We have still had a really strong winter all year, probably one of our best winters ever, actually,” Wagner said.

Farther up the Gunflint Trail, White Pine Lodge owners Chris and Allison Short said so far, the winter has been “wonderful.”

The majority of White Pine Lodge’s winter guests are cross-country skiers, snowmobilers, and others who enjoy activities such as snowshoeing.

The past few winters have brought mild snowfall, forcing Gunflint Trail lodge owners and other Cook County businesses to contend with consecutive slower seasons and fewer guests.

This winter, however, is a different story.

With the increased snow this year, Chris and Allison Short said, “It has been great for business.”

“It finally feels like a ‘normal’ winter with the amount of snow we’ve been getting compared to the last few years,” they said.

The better snow conditions have “allowed for more consistent visitors in both our lodging and our restaurant,” said Chris and Allison Short.

Another Gunflint Trail business owner enjoying the busier winter season is Forrest Parson, owner of Hungry Jack Lodge.

“Since the recent snow, we are definitely seeing an increase in business during the week with lodging, rentals, and daily traffic to the restaurant,” Parson said.

Mirroring the sentiment from the White Pine Lodge owners, Parson said, “Definitely a great improvement over the past seasons for sure. Hoping we can keep these conditions going for another month.”

For conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), increased snowmobiling activity up the Gunflint Trail and across Cook County has been noticeable in recent weeks.

Conservation Officer Trent Anderson, who covers the Tofte area, wrote in his latest weekly report that, “Recent snow created great riding conditions, and many people were out on the trails.”

CO Hudson Ledeen, who covers the Hovland area, wrote in his latest report, “An astounding number of people visited the area to ride snowmobiles after the blizzard that hit the North Shore.”

With the latest round of snow and increased visitors, the Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club has been busy grooming and maintaining the vast network of trails. On Feb. 25, the snowmobile club shared on their Facebook page that the entire trail system had been freshly groomed.

Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club groomer | Photo by Cook County Ridge Riders Snowmobile Club

Closer to Grand Marais, the Pincushion Ski & Run Club has also been busy grooming and maintaining trails.

Club President Chris O’Brien said the conditions right now are, “the best conditions that I can recall in recent memory. Trails are in really, really great shape.”

In the past couple of weeks, O’Brien said the Pincushion ski trails are “getting a lot of visitors.”

Some of the visitors, he said, are from northeast Minnesota, while others are visiting from farther away, such as Michigan. “We’re drawing from all over the region.”

Compared to other areas across the state, the northeast region, particularly Lake and Cook County, has the best snow depth and conditions, according to the Minnesota DNR.

Minnesota DNR snow depth graphic

With plenty of winter yet to go, many Gunflint Trail lodge owners and Cook County businesses are hoping the snow continues.

“We’re looking forward to seeing that continue throughout February and March,” said Chris and Allison Short.

Wagner said, “It’s just so nice to see so much snow, such big snow banks, and so many people out just having all the fun with it.”

WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Ruth Wagner, owner of Golden Eagle Lodge, to talk about ski trail conditions and winter business. Audio is below.

Kalli Hawkins February 28, 2026