WHITE WINTER

W hen the landscape turns into a soft blanket of snow that glistens in the sun, and the sea smoke rises up from Lake Superior, it’s like a different world...one that beckons to be explored!

And, oh, how we love our snow! People on the North Shore go by the saying, “There’s no bad weather, just bad gear.” With snow on the ground from November through April (and longer!), you can bet your winter boots that we’ve got tons of ways for winter play.

For the indoorsy folk, the North Shore has you covered, too. Cold temperatures outside are welcomed by warm fires and hot cocoa inside. Winter on the North Shore invites you to slow down, get cozy, and relax in the present moment.

Many resorts and cabins offer these types of experiences while being at the doorstep of some of the most remote and scenic trail systems to be found anywhere.

Snowshoeing

An easy activity for the novice winter enthusiast! Strap on a pair of these babies and off you go to blaze a trail through the fresh fluff. Purchase or rent a pair from a local resort or outdoor shop.

Cross Country Skiing

With over 500 km of groomed trails, the North Shore offers world-class Nordic skiing. Glide along ridgelines, canyon edges, frozen lakes and rivers, and through the Boreal forest. Trails are usually groomed for both skate and classic skiing. Many resorts offer packages, rentals, maps and shuttle service.

Snowmobiling

Hundreds of miles of backwoods routes take riders to some of the most rugged and scenic places in Minnesota. The 146-mile C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail connects Duluth and Grand Marais and provides access to even more club and community trails.

Dog Sledding

Take the ride of your life! Bundle up and explore the wintery woods from a sled pulled by a trained dog team. Guides in Isabella, Hovland, and the Gunflint Trail can bring you on this awesome adventure. It’s exhilarating, safe, and memorable.

Fat Tire Biking

Ride the backcountry forest roads or the fat tire trails at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Pincushion Mountain in Grand Marais, or the Norpine Trails in Lutsen. More mountain bike trails are in development. Stay tuned!

Experience Hygge

Hygge (hue-guh) is the Scandinavian word to describe a feeling of quiet coziness and a soft feeling of contentment and well-being. Relax by the fire, work on a puzzle, watch the ice shards lap against the Lake Superior Shore, spend time with family, and enjoy the present moment.

Gunflint Trail

This 57-mile paved National Scenic Byway through the Superior National Forest will take you to discover hundreds of inland lakes, scenic overlooks, wildlife, and the wilderness that exists in this special part of the North Shore. And there’s way more than that!

Along the scenic and peaceful journey there are many points of interest, making it a great day trip. Enjoy exploring the lakes, hiking to a scenic vista, berry picking, cruising the gift shops, filling up at a restaurant, and visiting the mom-and-pop lodges and outfitters. In the winter, the Gunflint Trail is a mecca for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, and ice fishing.

If you want to stay longer, there are many options! On the Gunflint Trail, you can find anything from a lakeside cabin to a place to pitch your tent. There are lodges and campgrounds that offer comfortable and modern accommodations, a rustic northwoods getaway, or a true Boundary Waters wilderness experience.

Whether you stay for a day, or stay for a week, you will be filled with the wild and adventurous spirit of the Gunflint Trail.