Gunflint Trail Skiing
March 1, 2019
As most of Minnesota starts slogging through spring slush in March, there’s no better time to travel north to the iconic Gunflint Trail for a cross-country skiing trip. After all, March is often the best time of the year to get outdoors and enjoy the benefits of winter without the brutally-cold temperatures.
To showcase how serious we are about embracing March as a great time to hit the local ski trails, we are hosting two candlelit night ski opportunities. On both March 8th and 9th, we invite you to come ski the trails near the Lodge from 4 to 8 p.m. We’ll have candles lining the Little Pine ski trail, and then swing by our base of operations on Gunflint Lake to warm up by the fireside with hot cocoa.
The Gunflint Trail, which is surrounded by the motor-restricted Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, is home to some of the state’s best ski-trail systems. The upper portion of the Trail near Gunflint Lodge features outstanding trails for cross-country skiing. The breathtaking landscape is covered with old-growth white pine, spruce, aspen and balsam fir. It’s within these forests that you’ll be skiing across the secluded reaches of northern Minnesota and dozens of border lakes.
Included in the trails near the Lodge are Big Pine, Aspen Alley, River Trail, Magnetic Rock, Rabbit Run, Lonely Lake Trail, among others. Many of our guests tell us these are some of the most scenic and secluded trails in the Upper Midwest. Others tell us our access near the Lodge rival any similar trails across the country.
And while some of the scenic trails in other states come with the asterisk that you need to be an expert to enjoy them, most of the Upper Gunflint Nordic ski trails are suited for the intermediate skier. However, there is plenty of good skiing for beginners and some challenging parts of the trails for the advanced.
And while the Lodge offers direct access to the Boundary Waters and Superior National Forest for backcountry skiing, all the Upper Gunflint ski trails are Pisten-Bulley groomed. Most of the trails are double tracked, while others maintain a sense of wilderness seclusion and are single-tracked yet still groomed. It’s all about options in March on the Gunflint Trail, and our network of ski trails provide just that.
Also, we rent skis and all the gear you’ll need for a great day exploring our beautiful forests and landscape. And ski equipment is free if you’re staying in one of our cabins at the Lodge.
Some people forget about winter once March arrives, but we choose to embrace it here at Gunflint Lodge. With that in mind, feel free to ask questions prior to your trip or check our website for current trail conditions.