Tag Archives: snow

Going to the snow

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If the snow won’t come to you, go to the snow.

That’s what I did this past weekend, when I trailered the snowmobile north to the cabin near the Canadian border to finally put on some miles. So far, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or just about any other winter activity that requires snow hasn’t been an option here in Grand Forks, where conditions are absolutely dismal. Again.

Driving north Saturday morning on Minnesota Highway 220 near East Grand Forks, I was struck by the near complete absence of snow in the fields. The ditches were filled with “snirt” that appeared to be rock hard, and the countryside looked more like something you’d expect to see in late March than in late January.

Fortunately, snow conditions improved as I drove north and east, and by the time I got to the cabin, the countryside actually looked like it is supposed to look in winter.

Even here, though, the snow’s relatively late arrival has delayed the process of trail grooming. So, we spent most of our time “breaking trail” in ditches, on a small river that flows through the area and on state land where snowmobiling is allowed.

Snow conditions might be dismal in Grand Forks, but there’s some good riding to be had within a couple hours’ drive.

Conditions, for lack of a better word, were spectacular. And barring a warm snap, they should get even better as more of the land trails in the region are groomed.

There’s something magical about driving a snowmobile in fresh powder, and the snow literally floated off the skis Saturday and Sunday. At times, I wasn’t sure whether I was driving the snowmobile or whether the snowmobile was calling the shots.

Farther back in the woods, the sun shining through the pine and spruce trees and their snowy branches was a welcome contrast to the barrenness of the snowless countryside that greeted me as I drove out of town Saturday morning.

Who knows how long the snow will last? In the meantime, if your snowmobile is collecting dust from lack of use, I’d recommend hitting the road and going to the snow. There’s good riding to be had within a couple of hours’ drive.

Here’s hoping it’s not like last year, when winter was all but over by the middle of March.

Enough already! I want snow

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Is it just me, or is the lack of snow on the landscape unsettling?

I just returned from a trip to the Twin Cities for Christmas, and everywhere I looked, brown dominated the horizon. In my half-century on this planet, I can’t remember a completely brown Christmas.

Or, perhaps, I’ve blocked it out of my mind.

Much as I hate driving in snow or on icy roads, I’m a snow guy. My two snowmobiles continue to collect dust on the trailer, where they’ve patiently rested since I parked them for the season last March.

Another sign of what a weird winter this has been so far surfaced Tuesday, when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources issued a news release warning people to be careful when burning because the fire danger is so high. There’s even a requirement that anyone planning to burn vegetation or other debris first obtain a burning permit.

If we had some snow, that wouldn’t be an issue.

Ice conditions also are dicey, at best, and authorities continue to warn people to stay off the west side of Lake of the Woods, where a large crack that extends from Springsteel to Swift Ditch, Rocky Point and Long Point will remain dangerous until we get enough cold weather to freeze the open water.

Also Tuesday, a video surfaced on YouTube showing the danger on Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg, where a vehicle went through the ice near the access at Balsam Harbor on the east side of the lake. You can watch for yourself here:

Waiting for snow

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Snowmobilers, cross-country skiing enthusiasts and others with a love for snow continue to wait for the arrival of the first significant accumulation of the white stuff.

Here in the North Country, at least, snow is conspicuous by its absence, and my snowmobiles continue to sit on the trailer waiting to be put into action.

By the sounds of things, it’s going to be at least another week.

Snowmaking efforts were in full swing Tuesday at Buena Vista Ski Area north of Bemidji.

The closest thing I’ve seen to snow in this part of the world is the photo I received Tuesday from Suzanne Thomas of Buena Vista Ski Area north of Bemidji. Despite the dearth of snow, Buena Vista is opening this weekend, thanks to the resort’s snow-making machines, and the photo Thomas sent showed the efforts to jumpstart winter are in full swing.

Ask any North Dakota wildlife manager, though, and they’ll tell you the lack of snow is a good thing for species such as deer and pheasants. After severe winters the past three years, there’s little doubt most wildlife species can use the break.

Here’s hoping for a happy medium: Enough snow to keep those of us who like snow happy, but not so much that it’s detrimental to wildlife or results in flooding threats next spring.