Winter Road Trip -- The North Shore

If you’re the kind of person who loves winter, Minnesota’s North Shore offers a slice of frozen heaven. The key ingredient to winter fun on the North Shore is snow, and few places offer as many ways to enjoy all that white stuff. We checked in with northshorevisitor.com to get the lowdown on some of North Shore’s most popular activities. Along with the old standards like ice fishing, skating, curling and sledding, the North Shore is home to all kinds of ways to enjoy this amazingly beautiful and unique landscape. Here are a few of our faves:

DOG SLEDDING — Bundle up and explore the wintry woods from a sled pulled by a trained dog team. Kennels near Two Harbors, Tofte, Hovland, and midway up the Gunflint Trail offer guided rides, usually for two hours or a half day. It’s exhilarating, safe, fun and very memorable.

SNOWSHOEING — Snowshoeing is winter hiking. Lash on a pair of these winter walkers and the great outdoors is yours! Head into a state park and see how many animal tracks you can identify. Hike alongside a river, onto a lake, into the woods or on specified snowshoe trails. Walk a mile in a pair of snowshoes and you’ll discover muscles you didn’t even know you had. You can rent or buy snowshoes at several local resorts and outdoor shops

SNOWMOBILING — Whether you’re looking to play in the snow, skim across frozen lakes or tour first-class trails, snowmobiling is intrinsic to winter up north and provides an opportunity to explore the spectacular Lake Superior ridges, forests, lakes and towns. This rugged terrain is tamed by the 153-mile North Shore State Snowmobile Trail. Leaving Duluth, the trail carves a lateral path through the backwoods and cliffs rising out of Lake Superior until it reaches its final destination, Grand Marais. Numerous side trails break off the State Trail and connect with other major snowmobile systems. In the market for a new or used sled? Check us out!

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING — The North Shore is a skinny skier’s nirvana. Hundreds of kilometers of trails traverse hillsides, lake shores, river-valley ridges, pine plantations and deciduous forests. Choose trails by length, level of ability and classic or skating stride. In selecting a trail, keep in mind almost all trails are groomed and track-set weekly from December through March. Many resorts offer packages, rentals, maps and shuttle service.

SKIING & SNOWBOARDING — Vertical rise, lake effect snow, diverse runs and beautiful vistas are in concert at Lutsen Mountains, the Midwest’s biggest and best alpine ski area. With a prolonged season, you will have ample time to work on your technique and acquaint yourself with the 92 runs bisecting Ullr, Eagle, Mystery & Moose, Lutsen’s four mountains. Rentals, lessons, a snowboard park, two chalets, three ski-in ski-out eateries, a gondola and a new chairlift round out the ski area. When making lodging reservations, ask about ski packages.