My pal Lane Ellis loves Boulder Lake! I'll have to check it out this weekend with the fam.

Gooseberry is really flat in some loops.

Northland Golf Course gets groomed. I don't know if you need a MN Ski pass there or not.

Boulder was nice until you posted this post. If you like a place shut up about it. As the great Yogi Berra once said, "don't follow the crowd, no one goes there anymore because it's too crowded." Now Boulder lake will be too crowded. If people find it on their own, good for them. Sam Cook has the same problem. In his attempt to make a living as an outdoor writer he has spoiled more quiet, meditative spots than any other person I can think of off hand. If you want flat go to Rice Lake just north of town and ski in a snowmobile track. You will find it perfectly groomed and the snowmobiles usually stay far away from skiers. You can work on your skiing basics and it is very beautiful to tour the shoreline of the lake as there is very little development.

The city sometimes grooms a loop on the Lester Park Golf Course. I assume you need a state pass to ski that, as you do with all the city trails. The golf course is the only trail groomed by the city that allows dogs. It's not flat, though.

I also vote for the trails in Superior.  The place is flat as pancake, always groomed, no busy trails ever.  Best kept skiing secret in the twin ports.  Has the ability for slightly bigger hills as well if people pick up the sport fast.

The biggest adrenaline rush hill might be Iso Maki at Korkki.

Check the link.

Cross-Country in the City: Beginner-Friendly Ski Trails in Duluth

- Pay the trail fee!  We are seriuosly spoiled with the amount of trail we have available for $25. If you want to have it maintained - PAY THE FEE! Plus, the fine is ALOT more than $25. I do not recommend skiing on snowmoblie trails...uff da.

- Take a lesson! Snowflake or community ed classes will show you how to get up and down those hills. Learn how to do it right and suddenly it's easy.

 - Just ski more. Trust me - even those of us who are addicted to the sport have a hard time getting out after work when it's dark and cold. Just go - once you're on the trail you will be really happy you did. The more you ski - the easier it gets.

The article Mick links to has some good info, but I disagree about Korkki being a good place for  beginners. Most of it is quite hilly, and the narrow trail leaves little room for error. I tried to teach someone to ski there, and she freaked and fell even on the little hill leading to Dorothy's Loop. The article also says you need a MN Ski Pass at Korkki, and I'm pretty sure you don't. It's private. You donate $ each time you ski, or take out a membership.

But, yes, buy the pass if you're going to enjoy the city's grooming. I have seen them checking for passes and giving people tickets a couple of times (once at Lester and once at McCarthy Beach).