Banadad Ski Trail
A long ski trail which roughly parallels the Gunflint Trail road from near Mid-Trail to approximately the western end of Loon Lake. Most of the Banadad is within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
As you traverse the 16.8 mile trail you will pass over the Laurentian Divide in three separate locations. The Laurentian Divide is a dividing point for the direction of water flow between the Hudson Bay and Atlantic Ocean.
The Banadad is a wilderness skiing experience. It is a long trail without loops, though it connects to trail systems on each end, the Central Gunflint Trails on the eastern end and the Upper Gunflint Trail System on the western end.
The trail is single track groomed by skiers rather than by machinery and is not suitable for skate skiing.
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
Trail Type
General Information
Safety
You have the responsibility to be adequately prepared for a trip in the wilderness with
- good footwear,
- ample water,
- emergency supplies, and
- sufficient time to make the trip.
You should be self sufficient: there is no cell phone coverage, and due to the nature of the trail, there is no easy way to get assistance in, nor any easy way to get people out in emergencies.
Travel
- A compass and accurate map are essential.
- Bring reliable maps. Maps can be purchased at some Forest Service offices, area businesses and outfitters, or directly from the map companies.
- If you get lost, don’t panic. Sit down, relax and think. Chances are that you will figure out your location in a few minutes.
- If you plan to use a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigating, be sure you also bring a map and compass as a back up in case your GPS unit fails.
- Dress in layers and be prepared for every kind of weather situation.
Maps are available on the Banadad Trail Association Website:
See the permit section below.
You will need a permit to enter the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.
The Banadad Ski Trail requires purchasing a Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Funds from this Pass go directly to ski trail maintenance.
If you are connecting to the Banadad via the Central Gunflint Ski Trails or the Upper Gunflint Ski Trails, an additional permit sold by the area resorts are needed for those trails.
When visiting, please remember
- Trails are for non-motorized use only.
- Only use facilities that are provided.
Pets/Dogs
- Dogs are allowed on hiking trails, as long as they are kept on a leash. Unleashed dogs can pose a danger to your pet, the natural resources of the area, and other forest visitors.
- Do not allow them to interact with wildlife.
Make sure to thoroughly read the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness page and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Trip Planning Guide for tips on wilderness trip preparation.
Prior to reserving your permit, please also review the following:
Address: 2020 W. Highway 61 Grand Marais, MN 55604
Phone: (218) 387-1750
Hours: April 28 – September 30, Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, closed weekends. No BWCAW permit issuance and no Eastern National Forest Interpretative Association retail sales products. (Closed on federal holidays)
Office Email: SM.FS.Superior_NF@usda.gov
Getting There
Parking
Parking and access to the Banadad is from a small parking lot on the Gunflint Trail on the western end. It is marked by a sign - if you get to the Loon Lake boat access, you've gone too far!
The eastern access is from a small parking lot at the end of Little Ollie Road.
You can also get to the Banadad from the Central Gunflint Ski Trails. Central Gunflint Ski Trails are maintained by area resorts and require a separate user fee paid to the resorts to pay for the maintenance.
Directions
To get to Little Ollie Rd, turn left off the Gunflint Trail on the Lima Grade (FR 315) and go approx. one mile to the Little Ollie Rd.
Additional Information
Operated By
USDA Forest Service, Banadad Trail Association
Nearby Recreation Sites
Recreation Groups
