The trail conditions have been excellent this year at Pincushion Mountain. Photo by Tryg Solberg

By Tryg Solberg - Boreal Community Media - February 11, 2026

The annual Pincushion Winter Festival, a celebration of winter in Grand Marais, will take place this weekend on the Pincushion Mountain trails. Chris O’Brien, the president of the Pincushion Ski & Run Club (the organization hosting the event), told Boreal Community Media that he is excited to bring people together in the excellent conditions they have enjoyed so far this winter. 

On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., the Pincushion Ski and Run Club will host a social ski. As needed, participants will be divided into groups to ensure skiers of all abilities have someone to ski with. Afterwards, the club will serve a luncheon in their chalet. In the afternoon, they will host an Olympic watch party for the women’s 4x7.5k relay happening in Cortina, Italy. 

On Sunday morning there is a skate ski clinic for those with equipment who are interested in lessons. It is $25 for club members and $35 for non-members. If anyone is interested in attending but doesn’t have a skiing setup, they could consider renting from Northern Goods in Grand Marais or Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte. 

On Sunday afternoon, SkiSparks is hosting a kids' race. SkiSparks is a program under the umbrella of Minnesota Youth Ski League, a non-profit that has chapters of its kids program across all of Minnesota. SkiSparks offers an affordable way for kids to learn to cross-country ski, with the option to rent equipment as needed. Grand Marais’ SkiSparks program meets at Pincushion from 1:30-3:00 on Sunday afternoons through February 22nd. 

On Monday at 1 pm, the festival closes with a women’s ski at Pincushion, with the theme of “Celebrating Neighbors.” All ages and skill levels are welcome. The ski will be followed by a gathering with refreshments at the chalet. 

The Winter Festival isn’t the only way the club has been engaging with people this season. Throughout the winter, one of the club’s board members has hosted a virtual race series across various courses at Pincushion Mountain, where skiers post their times on Strava, a fitness app, and compare them with others. Series winners will be announced at the festival. 

Historically, the club has also held a 25-kilometer race, but low turnout led to resources being redirected elsewhere. Instead, O’Brien and the club have focused on bringing the ski community together and connecting around the culture that comes from a non-race environment. 

Pincushion Ski and Run Club has had a productive last few years. They raised approximately $200,000 in 2023 to purchase a 2015 Pistenbully PB100, replacing a 35-year-old failing unit. Over half of the funds came from private individual donors, with additional donations from IRRR and other sources. O’Brien said that the new equipment has been a huge upgrade and that Bill Hansen has done an excellent job keeping the trails in great shape. 

The club has hosted monthly full-moon ski events throughout the winter, with hot drinks and a bonfire. They have also hosted wax clinics for skiers to learn more about kick and glide waxing. 

Check out their website for more information about the organization and the Pincushion Winter Festival. 

https://pincushionskiandrun.org/ 

https://www.facebook.com/pincushionskiandrun