Silent Sports - A Northeast Minnesota Adventure
Silent Sports - A Northeast Minnesota Adventure
By Minnesota Arrowhead Committee
Winter is a wonderful time to experience nature. Visit northeast Minnesota to spend time outdoors enjoying silent sports and one-of-a-kind adventures.
A family cross-country skiing in Northeast Minnesota
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiing is the perfect sport for peaceful exploration and fun. You quickly glide through the paths and observe the winter wildlife surrounding you. And, cross-country skiing in northeastern Minnesota is second to none.
Cook County has the largest ski trail network in North America – over 400 km of well-groomed trails. Get a Minnesota ski pass for $6 per day or just $20 for the year, and journey through Cook County’s Sugarbush, Lutsen Mountains or Central Gunflint trail systems.
The trails in Duluth are also exquisite. They are groomed with the finest equipment to make them accessible and enjoyable for everyone – plus, they have the biggest terrain park in the entire Midwest and over 22 km of cross-country ski trails available.
If you want to get on the trails early, visit Ely. Their cross-country skiing season is the longest in Minnesota, so they are available for use even before other areas have snow cover.
Carly Aplin with sled dog in Ely / Dave Puente
Dog Sledding
Are you a dog lover? Well, the white wolf dogs in Ely are waiting to hit the trails with you as their passenger! Ely is home to the most sled dog trip providers worldwide, making your choices endless.
Dog sledding is a unique experience and Ely’s forested winter trails are unmatched. You will hear nothing but the sound of nature, be dazzled by the bright snow on the trees and invigorated by the fresh air hitting your face.
First-time dogsledder? Don’t worry. You can easily learn along the way with your well-trained sled dogs’ guidance.
If you would rather watch competitive dog sledding than participate in it, Cook County hosts a few exciting races throughout the year.
Snowshoeing near Lake Superior / @pchen088
Snowshoeing
Enjoy hiking? Then you will love snowshoeing. It is fun, invigorating and beautiful. While snowshoeing in Grand Rapids you will find breathtaking vistas that can be seen while travelling along Sugar Hill, Tioga and Joyce Estate trails.
Mesabi Iron Range has plenty of land for you to snowshoe through, including frozen lakes and snowy forests. If you didn’t bring your snowshoes you can easily rent some.
Duluth is a haven for biking year-round / Hansi Johnson
Fat Biking
Before exiting Mesabi, make sure you try fat biking! The wide tires absorb rough or bumpy surfaces allowing you to smoothly bike through any terrain while having a grand old time. Mesabi offers daily and seasonal fat bike trail passes.
Are you a fat biking pro and want to do it competitively? Sign up and push those pedals in Cook County’s’ Norpine Fat Bike Classic!
Minnesota Arrowhead Committee is a coalition of travel/tourism and commerce organizations working together to promote the Arrowhead region of northeast Minnesota as a vacation destination.