Northeast Ski Region Offers Deep Snows
Along the North Shore of Lake Superior, throughout the Boudary Waters Canoe Area to the Chippewa National Forest, Northeastern Minnesota offers of the biggest snow falls in Minnesota as well as many well groomed trail system. There are many resorts offering winter ski packages and for the brave at heart many state parks in the Northeast rent camper cabins in the winter.
Key WH = Warming House P = Parking B = Bathroom
Beaver Bay Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 12.9km
218-226-6377 (P, B) Intermediate trails, begins at picnic area trail center.
Bigfork Scenic State Park 9.7km
218-743-3362 (P, B) Beginner to intermediate trails, total of almost 5km of trail groomed in winter, MN ski pass required.
Biwabik Giants Ridge 60km
800-688-7669 (WH, P, B) All levels, US Ski Team training center using the Superior National Forest with views and roller coaster rides, 3km lit for Nordic skiing and some of the trails can be reached by a chairlift.
Cambridge Spirit River Nature Area 5-8km
763-433-1876 (WH, P, B) Beginner classic and skate ski trails through prairie, deciduous forest and wetlands, parking and restrooms at college, warming house and brochures available along trail.
Carlton Jay Cooke State Park 48km
218-384-4610 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, wide variety of trails, White Pine Trail is an intermediate trail offering an overlook of St. Louis River Valley and the CCC Trail is the easiest trail running along the river, warm up shelter open seven days a week with a woodstove and bathrooms, candlelight ski and snowshoe event held annually, groomed classic with multi-use trail at Odenberg Point, MN ski pass required.
Chisholm Sturgeon River Trails 30.5km
218-229-8800 (P) Excellent beginner, in the Superior National Forest, solitary trails, some long stretches, two Adirondack shelters, groomed, scenic views of Sturgeon river.
Cloquet Pine Valley 10km
218-879-4413 (P) Intermediate to advanced, challenging with difficult climbs yet gradual rolling sections, partially lit, adjacent to Cloquet recreation center south of Pine Tree Plaza.
Cook Ashawa 45km
218-666-5478 Beginner to advanced, west side Lake Vermilion, 5 miles north of Cook, MN ski pass required.
Cromwell Fond du Lac State Forest 20km
218-485-5410 (P) Beginner, primitive, classic trail, groomed regularly through hardwood and deciduous forest where you can see signs of deer and wolves, wind shelter along trail, MN ski pass required.
Deer River Blueberry Hills 12km
218-326-9581 (P, B) Beginner to advanced with gradual inclines through mature pines, 14km classic trails, 12km skate groomed trails, a comfy clubhouse, MN ski pass required.
Deer River Simpson Creek Trail 27 km
218-246-2123 (P, B) Beginner trails with many loops, 17 miles northwest of Deer River, ungroomed.
Deerwood Larson Lake Memorial Forest 10km
218-824-1115 Beginner with some advanced loops, rolling hills, wooded area with oak trees, red and white pines, wetlands and tamarack bogs, passes by Larson and Dogfish Lakes.
Duluth Boulder Lake 21km
218-721-4903 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, 8km of skate ski with Wolfski's Ski Den warming shack, open sunrise to sunset, groomed daily for classic and skate ski, very well maintained by Minnesota Power, warming house with hot cider and coffee.
Duluth Chester Bowl Park 3km
218-723-3337 (WH, P, B) Intermediate to advanced, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Hartley Trail 5km
218-723-3337 (P) Beginner to advanced, hilly challenge with some gentle slopes, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Korkki Nordic 11km
218-525-7326 (P) Intermediate to advanced, groomed daily for single track classic, steep hills, designed for racing, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Lester Amity Trail 15km
218-723-3337 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, 15km of varied terrain through pine, aspen, and birch forests, additional 3km circles the Lester Park Golf Course and is accessible from the main Lester-Amity Trail, 5km trail lit mornings and evenings, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Magney-Snively Trail 14km
218-723-3337 (P) Intermediate to advanced, beautiful hardwood forest with large hills, a rugged trail not recommended for beginners, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Piedmont Trail 5km
218-723-3337 (P) Beginner to intermediate, aspen, birch and hardwood forest, beautiful overlook of St. Louis River Valley, MN ski pass required.
Duluth Snowflake Nordic Ski Center 15km
218-726-1550 (WH, P, B) Intermediate, groomed daily, classic and skate ski, lessons and rentals, warm chalet with showers, sauna, changing rooms, lounge and snacks.
Duluth Spirit Mountain 22km
218-624-8533 (WH, P, B) All levels, beautifully wooded cross country ski trails, double tracked with skating lanes, groomed daily.
Ely Bear Head Lake State Park 14.5km
218-365-7229 (P, B) Beginner trails through a boreal forest circling Norberg Lake, groomed for classic ski with snowfall, MN ski pass required.
Ely Bear Island Ski Trails 20km
800-777-4406 (P) Beginner to intermediate, machine groomed and tracked, classic ski, lots of wildlife, trail winds through sections of Superior National Forest to Perch Lake and along shores of Bear Island Lake, peaceful and solitary ski setting.
Ely Birch Lake Plantation Trails 8.5km
218-827-3652 (P) Beginner to intermediate, machine groomed and tracked, winding trails through Minnesota's oldest white pine plantation, crosses several bridges, edges Birch Lake, MN ski pass required.
Ely Hegman Lake Trail 6km
800-777-7281 (P) Beginner, user tracked, located on several lakes surrounded by rock and pine ridges, view unique Indian pictographs on west shore of North Hegman Lake, need BWCAW day permit use available for FREE at trailhead.
Ely Hidden Valley & Hidden Valley Extension Trails 40km
218-777-7281 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, machine groomed, classic and skate, rolling to hilly terrain, birch and pine stands, newly planted red and white pine plantations, newly constructed chalet, connects to Hidden Valley Extension Trails, scenic overlook at Farm Lake, access behind Fall Lake Town Hall, MN ski pass required.
Ely North Arm Trails 30km
800-777-7281 (P) User tracked, beginner to advanced, many trails go through BWCAW, rocky hills, piney ridges, majestic pines and wilderness lakes highlight trail system, many loops and wildlife viewing opportunities, need BWCAW day permit use, available for FREE at trailhead.
Ely North Junction Trail 13km
800-777-7281 (P) User tracked, beginner to advanced, series of loops through meadows, spruce swamps and ridges and around beaver ponds.
Ely South Farm Trail 8km
800-777-7281 (P) Beginner to intermediate, user tracked, gentle rolling terrain through BWCAW with some lake travel, ski around a muskeg swamp, need BWCAW day permit use available for FREE at trailhead.
Ely Trezona Ski Trail 6.4km
800-777-7281 (P,B) Beginner, machine groomed and tracked for classic and skate ski, starts in town, circles Miner's Lake, view remains of Pioneer Mine, relatively flat with some rolling terrain.
Grand Marais Banadad Trail 30km
218-388-4487 (WH, P, B) Intermediate, groomed single-track backcountry trail in BWCA, yurt to yurt available, connects Central Gunflint Trails with Upper Gunflint Trails, for one of the longest trail systems in the state, MN ski pass required.
Grand Marais Bally Creek Trails 25km
218-387-1162 or 800-795-8068 (P) All skill levels, mostly classic, some skate, connects into Moose Trail and Cascade River State Park, snowshoeing and 1km of skijourning, cabin rentals available, MN ski pass required.
Grand Marais Central Gunflint Trail System 70km
218-388-2292 or 218-388-2203 All levels, 27 miles north of Grand Marais, groomed, close to BWCA, lighted sections at Bearskin & Golden Eagle lodges.
Grand Marais Pincushion Mountain Trail 25.8km
218-387-3373 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, well designed trail 2 miles north of Grand Marais, classic and skate, beautiful Lake Superior views, separate snowshoe trail, public warming building, 1.6km lighted, MN ski pass required.
Grand Marais Upper Gunflint Trail 97km
218-388-2294 - 218-388-4454 - 218-388-2243 All levels, 45 miles north of Grand Marais, large system near Canada and BWCA, great views, most trails classic with 30km skating, a trailside restaurant, three trailside lodges: Gunflint Lodge, Gunflint Pines Resort, Hestons Resort, 4km of lighted trail.
Grand Rapids Alder Pond Trail 11.2km
218-327-2855 (P) Beginner to intermediate, groomed for classic ski, aspen mixed with coniferous forest.
Grand Rapids Amen Lake Trail 9.6km
218-327-2855 (P, B) Intermediate to advanced, groomed for classic ski, rolling hills through hardwood forest, connects to south end of Suomi Hills ski trails, 13 miles north of Grand Rapids, MN ski pass required.
Grand Rapids Cowhorn Lake Unit 17.7km
218-999-7920 Intermediate, classic ski, rolling hills, old growth aspen, MN ski pass required.
Grand Rapids Forest History Center 10km
218-327-4482 (P, B) Beginner, classic ski through 1900s logging camp and virgin timber, then tour the visitor's center, MN ski pass required on one main trail.
Grand Rapids Golden Anniversary State Forest - River Road Unit 11.3km
218-999-7920 (P) Classic ski, MN ski pass required.
Grand Rapids Itasca Trails (Mount Itasca) 10km
218-327-3115 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, connects to Biathlon Trails where snow is made on 1-2 km of trail, groomed for both classic and skate.
Grand Rapids Legion Trails 4km
218-999-7926 (P) Intermediate, groomed both classic and skate, 3 km lit, MN ski pass required.
Grand Rapids Sugar Hills 19.4km
218-999-7926 (P, B) Intermediate to advanced, groomed for both classic and skate, hilly terrain through hardwood forest, Thunder Peak provides excellent panoramic views, MN ski pass required.
Grand Rapids Suomi Hills 34km
218-246-2123 (P, B) Intermediate to advanced classic ski, semi-primitive Chippewa National Forest, groomed, rolling hills, connects with Amen Lake Trail.
Grand Rapids Trout Lake Recreation Area 8km
218-246-2123 (P) Beginner to intermediate, Chippewa National Forest, semi-primitive, double track, classic, 3 miles to historic Joyce Estate, a 6,000 acre SNA with Adirondack buildings.
Grand Rapids Wabana Trails 11.3km
218-327-2855 (WH, P, B) Beginner to intermediate, winding classic trail, rolling hills, MN ski pass required.
Goodland Big Ridge 11.3km
218-327-2855 (P, B) Beginner to advanced, groomed for classic ski, rolling hills through hardwood, evergreens and young aspen, some expert loops with steep hills, MN ski pass required.
Hibbing Carey Lake 22.4km
218-263-8851 (P) Beginner to advanced trails, 10km side by side classic and skate, groomed, views of the lake, lowlands, bogs and jack pine stands, 3.8 km Black Forest loop is lit from 5-10 p.m. daily.
Hibbing McCarthy Beach State Park 14.5km
218-254-7979 (P, B) Moderate skill level, groomed for classic ski, all forested trails, rolling terrain, MN ski pass required.
Hinckley Banning State Park 19km
320-245-2668 (P, B) Intermediate, Kettle River provides changing ice formations throughout the winter, groomed classic, fire pits, MN ski pass required.
Hinckley St. Croix State Park 17.6km
320-384-6591 (WH, P, B) All levels, groomed for classic ski, many loops, MN ski pass required.
Hoyt Lakes Bird Lake Trail 16km
218-229-8800 (P) Beginner to intermediate, birch and aspen hills, views of Bird Lake and Lillian Lake, parking at Hoyt Lakes and Bird Lake, along Forest Hwy 11 scenic byway.
Inger Simpson Creek 20km
218-246-8701 (P) Beginner to intermediate, non-groomed trails, trails run along the north shore of Lake Winnibigoshish in the Cut Foot Sioux Recreation Area of the Chippewa National Forest.
International Falls Tilson Creek Ski Trail 16.4km
218-753-2580 (P) Intermediate, groomed, classic and skate, bogs, forest, rolling hills, lots of wildlife in the Koochiching State Forest, MN ski pass required.
Isabella Flathorn Gegoka Trail 24km
218-626-4300 Beginner to advanced, groomed, single tracked in the Superior National Forest, some paths on old logging roads allow for skating, MN ski pass required.
Isle Father Hennepin State Park 3.2km
320-676-8763 (WH, P, B) Groomed for classic ski, forested area, picnic shelter with fireplace available, MN ski pass required.
Lutsen Cascade River 42km
218-626-4300 Beginner to advanced, good views of Lake Superior, Cascade River and Dear Yard Lake, ski through birch, pine and aspen on mostly double tracked trails, groomed with a Pisten Bully machine, MN ski pass required.
Lutsen Cascade River State Park 27km
218-387-3053 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, classic, single tracked, groomed weekly for classic ski, heavily forested, trails along Cascade River and several little creeks, the only place in Cook County to ski along Lake Superior plus views of moose and wolves down the river valley from Lookout Mountain, wood-heated warming house, campsites, MN ski pass required.
Lutsen Lutsen Mountains Nordic Trails 27km
218-663-7281 (WH, P, B) Intermediate, trails located around the downhill slopes accessible by chairlifts, Nordic Center ticket allows you to ride the lifts and then descend groomed, tracked trails into the Poplar River valley on classic and skate trails.
Lutsen Lutsen Mountains to Spruce Creek 35km
218-663-7566 (P) Groomed for both classic and skate ski, resorts along the way, includes the Massie, Hall, Meadows and Golf Course loops of the North Shore ski trails with connections to Sugarbush and Cascade systems, MN ski pass required.
Lutsen Soaring Eagles Trail 12km
218-652-2611 (WH, P, B) Beginner to intermediate trails with some steep hills, mostly rolling hills through varied woodlands, groomed for both classic and skate ski, ski past Swan Lake and a beaver pond, MN ski pass required.
McGregor Remote Lake Trail 8.1km
218-426-3271 (P) Groomed for classic ski, within Savanna State Forest boundaries, connects to Savanna Portage State Park trails, MN ski pass required.
McGregor Savanna Portage State Park 19.4km
218-426-3271 (WH, P, B) Beginner to intermediate trails, groomed for classic ski, rolling hills, wooded, MN ski pass required.
Moose Lake Moose Lake State Park 7.2km
218-485-5420 (WH, P, B) Beginner to intermediate, groomed for classic ski, wind shelter available along trail, wildlife ponds, varied woodland and scenic trail along lakeshore, MN ski pass required.
Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center Trails 10km
320-679-2629 (WH, P, B) Classic and skate ski, beginner trails, 3 km lit, starts and ends at Vasaloppet Nordic Ski Center offering waxing room, showers and a sauna, open throughout the season.
Mora Vasaloppet Public Ski Area 30km
320-679-2629 (B) Beginner to intermediate, Lantern Loppet each January, groomed classic and skate, four separate loops from flat to hills, course of the Vasaloppet trail.
Nashwauk George Washington State Forest - Thistledew Lake Trail 6km
218-999-7920 (P) Classic ski.
Nashwauk Stoney Ridge Trail 9.7km
218-327-2855 (P, B) Beginner trails, groomed for classic ski, mostly flat with a few slightly rolling hills through woods, MN ski pass required.
North Branch Wild River State Park 56km
651-583-2125 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced, groomed for classic ski, heated trail center, rentals, snacks, winter camping, two camper cabins and guest house, candlelight ski and bonfire, trails along St. Croix River, MN ski pass required.
Orr Ash River State Forest 20.1km
218-753-6256 Intermediate to advanced, many hills with challenging sections going through forest, not groomed, minimally maintained by local users, solitude, wildlife.
Orr Gheen Hill 7.2km
218-757-3932 (P) Mostly beginner with some advanced trails, groomed for classic and skate ski, ski through aspen, birch and pine stands and wildlife feeding areas.
Outing Washburn Lake 7.4km
218-947-3338 (P) Beginner to advanced, in the Land O'Lakes State Forest.
Pine River Cut Lake Trail 16km
218-947-3338 (WH, P, B) Beginner to advanced.
Sandstone Banning State Park 19.2km
320-245-2668 (P, B) Intermediate ski trails along the Kettle River and historic Sandstone Quarry, follow the Quarry Loop to the Hell's Gate Rapids and bring your camera, fire pits, groomed weekly, MN ski pass required.
Schroeder Temperance River State Park 19.3km
218-663-7476 (P, B) Ungroomed trails, park office closed in winter, ski pass not required.
Side Lake McCarthy Beach State Park 14.5km
218-254-7979 (P, B) Intermediate, scenic trails through old growth pines connecting with Taconite Trail, MN ski pass required.
Silver Bay Northwoods Ski Trail 29km
218-226-4334 (P) Intermediate, single track classic, just outside of Silver Bay, connecting trail to Tettegouche State Park, groomed weekly, flat woods, trailhead on west edge of Silver Bay with parking at Beaver Creek.
Silver Bay Tettegouche State Park 19.2km
218-226-6365 (WH, P, B) Intermediate to advanced, classic ski only, many loops, good views, lakes, hills, four historic ski-in cabins at Micmac Lake, take a side trip to 70-foot High Falls on the Baptist River, first tier, warm up, park and use the restrooms at the main office, MN ski pass required.
Tofte Sugarbush Trail System 70km
888-61-NORTH (WH, P, B) Groomed for both classic and skate ski, all levels, spectacular views, trailheads at Britton Peak and Moose Fence on the western side, with ski-through from Onion River Rd/Oberg Mountain trails and trailhead on the eastern edge, 5 km connector recently added which hooks up with Superior National Golf Course Nordic Center trails, clubhouse used as trailhead with ski rentals, trails maintained by Sugarbush Trail Association, check online for updated grooming info (www.sugarbushtrail.org), MN ski pass required.
Togo Thistledew 6km
218-999-7923 (P) Intermediate trails for classic skiers only, beautiful and remote trail, MN ski pass required.
Tower Howard Wagoner Trail 11.2km
218 753-4070 (P) Beginner to advanced rustic trails with some big hills, groomed for classic ski only, unique half-mile loop lit from dusk to 11 p.m., view big Norway pines, deer and wolves, can start in city of Tower at Civic Center, MN ski pass required.
Two Harbors Gooseberry Falls State Park 19.2km
218-834-3855 (WH, P, B) All levels, groomed for classic ski only, many loops, unique views of frozen waterfalls and ice formations, wolf sitings, first tier quick grooming, gradual hills, drop your skis and hike to view the Main Falls, ski over the bridge at Fifth Falls, enjoy other activities along the shores of Lake Superior, MN ski pass required.
Two Harbors Split Rock Lighthouse State Park 11.2km
218-226-6377 (WH, P, B) Intermediate, first tier quick grooming for classic ski, good views of Lake Superior and Split Rock River Valley, heated trail center with bathrooms, lighthouse visitors center open weekends and Monday through Thursday 11-4, trail center open year round, snowshoe rentals, first tier park, MN ski pass required.
Two Harbors Two Harbors Ski Trail 10km
218-834-6626 (P) Intermediate, groomed for classic ski only, scenic city forest, 3 km lit till 10 p.m. each night, gray owls, MN ski pass required.
Virginia Big Aspen Recreation Area 32km
218-229-8800 (WH, P, B) Beginner to intermediate, shelters, beautiful overlook.
Virginia Lookout Mountain Trail 24km
218-229-8800 (P, B) Intermediate, trails run along the Laurentian Divide on the crest of low, rocky hills and dividing the Red River and Rainy River basins from the Minnesota River and Lake Superior basins, skiers may enjoy several scenic overlooks.
Sources: Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Nordic Ski Association, Skinnyski & Individual Trails
|
