What are the options????

[Cory M]

My husband has asked me to post something while he is up on Lake Mille Lacs. He's been up there for about 2 hours and the lake has 3 inches of new snow, wind is about 10 mph, maybe a little more at times. He's riding with the 14 meter kite. It's cloudy and the snow is not getting soft yet. He's at Malmo if you're wondering. He's enjoying the ride for sure!

[craigb]

Did you guys leave any snow on Mille for us to play on this weekend?

[kenais]

Going to head up to Isle Sunday if it gets warm enough to soften the snow a bit, I'm thinking sun and 35 degrees should do the trick. The wind forecast looks pretty good.

http://www.mnlakecams.com/

[Cory M]

There was still snow when I left at 2pm yesterday; pretty much the same amount as when I showed up. I was able to maintain an edge on the 2-3 inches of dense snow with a snowboard without hitting the ice below for most of the day. The snow was surprisingly dry until about 1, consider you couldn't even make a snowball. As the snow became softer I did skid on the ice a bit towards the end. The day was mostly cloudy which helped maintain the snow. Not sure what has happened since.

You might be able to get in a session on Sat. if you go up there as early as you can. If you have skis you might be in better shape to hold an edge as well. I would check the webcams in Isle, minnecam.com

If you go to malmo, keep an eye on some of the soft spots; there are a couple by the launch. There is also a small pressure ridge about 100 yards out. Also, note there are a couple of inlets away from the launch with wide open water. I stayed well out from them.

[craigb]

Thanks! I'm probubally heading to Mille sunday too. Not sure where to launch though, isatys would be fun - I've never launched there though.

Any better options?

[Elkman]

I'm interested in going to Mille Lacs on Saturday, but I won't be able to make it on Sunday. If anyone is going on Saturday, and doesn't mind a n00b, give me a call on my cell phone: dial 952, then 250, then 6705 and I'll answer.

According to my friend Paul, it sounds like conditions are still reasonably good up there. (Plus, there's Cory M's report.)

[Cory M]

Holding off till tomorrow as the wind appears better. Considering Pelican or Ottertail.

[dtownkiter]

i ended up riding all weekend about 20 minutes north of two harbors. probably one of the best winter rides of the year. we drilled 6 holes and there was still almost 3 feet of ice with a foot of untouched powder on top. it was a little gusty but was up on a 14m t3 and 9m t2 all weekend fully powered. it has been such a long time that i have made the first tracks on a lake. i think it may have also been one of the few times i have actually been sunburned in the area including summer.

heading back this weekend to try to score one more session. if anyone is up for trying to capture one more weekend of winter let me know. there are so many lakes in that area that are untouched with plenty of ice and snow.

adam t.