Winter? We’re not just embracing it—we’re high-fiving it with mittened hands and running full speed into its frosty, magical arms. This all-women adventure on Minnesota’s North Shore is a snow-globe dream come to life—snowshoeing to scenic overlooks, cross-country skiing through whisper-quiet forests, and commanding our own team of sled dogs like we were born to mush. And when the sun sets? Sauna, hot tubs, fireside hangs, and feasting like Nordic queens (because all meals are included!). Pack your warmest layers and your best laugh—this adventure is colder than your ex’s heart but a thousand times more fun!
Minnesota’s North Shore isn’t just winter-ready—it’s winter perfected. This all-women getaway takes everything we love about the season and dials it up: cross-country skiing on pristine trails, snowshoeing to stunning overlooks, and the absolute thrill of leading our own team of sled dogs through the snowy wilderness! And when the day winds down? Picture us fireside, laughing with new friends, or soaking in a hot tub while Lake Superior glistens in the moonlight. Snow may be cold, but this trip is pure warmth—good food, great company, and that unbeatable feeling of falling in love with winter all over again.
Today is arrival day! Make sure to arrive in Duluth by 3pm. It’s a lovely city, right on the shores of Lake Superior, and an interesting place to spend some time if you can arrive early. Lake Superior is considered the “Greatest of the Great Lakes”, boasting the largest body of freshwater on earth. This evening, we’ll have our introduction and orientation dinner.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Inn on Lake Superior
We will get a quick breakfast and drive up to Tofte, about two hours from Duluth, and share lunch at the Coho Cafe, a local gem. After checking into our condos, we’ll stretch our legs with a snow shoe walk on nearby Oberg Mountain (weather permitting). Following a short climb to the top, there is a relatively flat loop trail leading to 8 different overlooks, offering a perfect introduction to the area. We’ll end our day with a hearty dinner, and afterwards we’ll relax in the hot tub or sauna, or just sit in our comfortable living room in front of a cozy fire and gaze out the window at the vast frozen lake.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Snowshoeing: 2.4 mi (3.8 km), 1.5-2.5 hours
Elevation gain/loss: 380 ft (115 m)
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay
This morning we’ll go for a cross country ski near Bluefin Bay. The trails are appropriate for a variety of skill levels, including those who have never been on skis before. The guides will provide the instruction we need to learn and improve our skiing techniques. In the afternoon we may choose to relax and read at the condos, do some snowshoeing, or perhaps go out for another ski. Those wanting down time are welcome to relax at the resort and take advantage of its many amenities.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing: 2-3 mi (3.2-4.8 km), 1-2 hours
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay
Today is our dog sledding day! We’ll get up early to meet the dogs and guides. Sled dogs are some of the funniest, friendliest, quirkiest dogs around, and they love running through the wintry woods. After learning how to harness and hook them up, we’re off for a full day of sledding. We’ll drive the sleds across lakes and over gentle rolling hills, learning how to assist the dogs by “pedaling” and “scootering”. We will experiment with shifting our weight on the runners to help the sled turn, as well as jumping on and off the runners when we’re going uphill.
After an active morning, we will take a break and cook lunch over an open fire. With two women in every sled, we’ll have the opportunity to switch between the active position of driving the sled and the more relaxing activity of sitting in the sled and watching the spectacular winter scenery go by. Anyone who loves dogs will adore this adventure! We’ll return to our condos in time to freshen up prior to our dinner out at Bluefin restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Dogsledding: 11 mi (17.7 km)
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay
Today, we’ll plan to ski at Pincushion Mountain, a great cross-country ski area with a variety of trails on the North Shore. Or, if more snowshoeing is what we desire, we will explore a scenic trail at George Washington Pines. While playing in the snow, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at a nearby warming hut before finishing our activity.
Any remaining time for the day can be spent exploring the shops and galleries of Grand Marais or exploring more trails by ski or snowshoe. Grand Marais is a charming and friendly town, well worth a visit. We’ll head back to the Condos at Bluefin for appetizers, conversation, and our last shared dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cross-country skiing: 2.4-5 mi (3.8-8 km), 1.5-3 hours
Snowshoeing: 2-4 mi (3.2-6.4 km), 1.5-3 hours
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay
Today we’ll hike along a nearby gorge, giving us the chance to see the winter beauty of the river and experience the power and majesty of nature in this spectacular frozen season, before leaving Tofte by 11am. We will be back at the Duluth airport no later than 1:30pm. The Duluth Airport is small and easy to navigate; you can plan to fly out any time after 3pm.
Meals: Breakfast
The whole trip was an incredible experience. So many winter activities and choices every day.
The anticipation of learning how to drive a team of dogs on a sled was a childhood dream and I was NOT disappointed at all!
Included:
Add-ons
Not included:
This Minnesota winter adventure is for any woman who wants to experience a variety of winter activities while staying in wonderful accommodations. The trip can be as relaxed or active as you choose! If you want to do every activity offered, some prior conditioning is definitely a good idea.
On this trip we’ll try a variety of winter sports: dogsledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Whether you’re totally new to these winter sports or already experienced, the guides will give you the instruction you need to get to the next step. Relaxing in the sauna or outdoor hot tub is an equally important part of the Minnesota winter experience.
Expect 11 mi (17.7 km) on a full day of dogsledding, up to 4 mi (6.4 km) of snowshoeing, and up to 5 mi (8 km) of cross-country skiing.
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Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Outdoor clothing:
Indoor clothing:
Equipment:
Toiletries:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Please note that this packing list is meant to be extensive. The more gear you have available to you, the better chance you will have to contend with the ever-changing Minnesota conditions. Conditions in Minnesota winters are very different from winters in other parts of the United States.
Group sizes and pricing
A Minnesota winter adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Minnesota winter adventure is Duluth. To get there, most people fly into Duluth International Airport (DLH). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Duluth.
Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at a predetermined time at the Inn on Lake Superior. Your guide will provide more information before the adventure begins.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
This kind of trip self selects women who are adventurous and willing to take a few risks in order to experience something special, maybe outside of their usual boundaries. They are also accepting of others fears, strengths, limitations and levels of ability without judgement. The absence of competition among women of this nature is what makes AGC so special and why I choose it above others.