News

Winter Season Opening Policy The winter trail network may only open for the season after a substantial stretch of below freezing temperatures to allow the ground to thoroughly freeze AND after the end of the muzzleloader hunting season (this year that date is December 10, 2023). The fatbike trails will open to fatbikes (tire 3.5 inches or wider) as long as the ground is frozen and can be ridden without causing damage to the trail surface. If there is no snow, regular mtb tires are allowed on open trails. The groomed ski trails will open when the ground is frozen and we have received a sufficient amount, preferably 6-8”+ of snow to groom and maintain. The snowshoe and backcountry ski trails are open when the ground is frozen and snow coverage allows. If there is no snow, foot travel is allowed on open trails. For up to the minute trail conditions and information on which trails are open or closed, visit our trail conditions page. Winter Trail Crew KT is proud to employ a grooming team through the winter season that grooms on a consistent basis: CJ Scott our Trail Director, Geoff Whitchurch our GIS Analyst & Trail Manager, Deste Relyea our Signage & Trail Manager, and Evening Groomers Mike Halvorsen & Emmett Hinman. Grooming Equipment The team uses a variety of snowmobiles and implements to groom the fatbike and nordic ski trails dependent upon conditions. Nordic equipment: Skidoo Wide Track LX snowmobile Yamaha VK snowmobile 2 Tidd Tech drags with track setters 2 compaction rollers Fat Bike equipment: 2014 Skidoo Tundra Various handbuilt drags for all conditions and commercially built drags to use in sufficient deep snowpack. Nordic Ski Trails The skate ski lanes are groomed and classic tracks are reset when surface conditions and snow depth is suitable. Our groomed ski trails are closed to fat bike use. However, snowshoers are allowed on the groomed ski trails, but should be mindful to avoid disrupting the classic track set. We welcome ski use on all trails throughout the winter network. Fatbike Trails Fatbike trails are groomed as needed. Once the surface is packed and set up (also known as hardened); tire, snowshoe, and ski traffic can be the best method for maintaining an optimum surface. We plan to groom next when there is an accumulation of 2+ inches or the previously packed surface becomes compromised and can effectively be improved with our machinery. While the fatbike trails may remain open after a significant snow event, we encourage people to wait until the surface sets up before accessing trails by fatbike as the soft snow creates unenjoyable conditions and tires will cause ruts that are difficult for our equipment to remove. When temps are warm and surface conditions are soft or slushy, fatbike access is discouraged. To help riders keep track of the temperature and proceed with caution at their own discretion, there are strategically placed thermometer gauges with educational signage throughout the trail network. As a general rule, if a rider is leaving a rut or having a hard time riding in a straight line, it is best to turn around and wait for the temps to drop and the surface to set up properly before continuing.