The ski season begins with the holiday snowfall.

The ski resorts are open with man made and now a bit of snow from nature this holiday weekend. It's a welcome drop of snow and a good start. After last year's early end to the season the Northland is due for a strong ski season.

It's time to light the Christmas Tree

At this time of year in Grand Marais it's time to go down to the park and light up the tree. Santa will be there and the shopping season begins. Support the area and buy a few gifts when visiting. The Ben Franklin is a favorite of mine. Everything you can imagine is packed into that store.

November

I enjoy the strata you find along the road on the north shore HWY 61.Cutface overlook and the Cutface wayside has interesting rocks. The Harbor Inn cam today really was showing November skies. It's only a matter of time and holidays and serious snowfall.

November sky

It's looking Grey and November now with the leaves gone. This vantage point is above Grand Marais,Mn from Pincushion Mountain Overview.

All the leaves are brown and the sky is grey.

And just like that we are into late fall and the leaves are gone. Thoughts are to Thanksgiving and even snow season. That is the Cutface overlook just south of Grand Marais. Even if the leaves are gone it's still nice to take a stroll in the woods. The sound of the crunching leaves is nice.

Flurries today but what about the winter?

There has been a few flurries here and there. But my thoughts are to the winter and possible snowfalls. According to NOAA it's below average in the long term forecast. Which isn't good for skiing and snowsports. We all recall last March with 80's and no snow. Lutsen kept a few runs open with great effort to make their April 1st goal of staying open I recall. Resorts are working on the XC trails. Brushing is the term they use. Hopefully NOAA is wrong. The winter season is very important to the resorts.