Escape the daily grind and go on a winter adventure like no other! Over five nights in a lakefront accommodation in the company of like-minded women, we’ll enjoy the perfect combo of various outdoor activities and relaxation. Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, and snowshoeing are on the table, as well as a hot tub, sauna, or relaxing massages. With all sports equipment, ski passes and meals provided, rejuvenate your spirit on this unforgettable guided 6-day winter adventure on Lake Superior.
Today marks the arrival day! Aim to be in Duluth by 3 pm to kick off our Lake Superior winter adventure. Duluth, nestled along the shores of Lake Superior, is an interesting place to spend some time if you arrive early. Consider exploring the “Greatest of the Great Lakes”, boasting the largest body of freshwater on earth! Later in the evening, we’ll gather for an introduction and orientation dinner.
Accommodation: Inn on Lake Superior
After a quick breakfast, we’ll go on a scenic 2-hour drive to Tofte, where we’ll share lunch at the Coho Cafe—a local gem! Once settled into our cozy condos, if weather permits, we’ll stretch our legs with a snowshoe walk around Oberg Mountain. The trail presents a short climb to the top, unveiling a relatively flat loop trail leading to 8 different overlooks—a perfect introduction to the area.
As evening descends, we’ll gather for a hearty dinner, followed by leisurely options such as unwinding in the hot tub or sauna, or simply basking in the warmth of a crackling fire while gazing at the vast frozen lake through the windows.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay resort
We’ll kick off the day with a cross-country skiing adventure near Bluefin Bay. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a novice hitting the trails for the first time, the trails are appropriate for everyone. Our experienced guides will offer personalized instruction you need to learn and improve your skiing techniques.
You can spend the afternoon as you wish. You might choose to unwind and dive into a good book at the condos, do some snowshoeing, or even indulge in another round of cross-country skiing. For those seeking relaxation, the resort offers various amenities to enjoy at your leisure.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay resort
Today is our highly anticipated dog sledding expedition! We rise early to meet our dogs and guides. These furry companions are not only fun, friendly, and quirky but also adore running through the snowy forest. After learning how to harness and hook them up, we’re off for a full day of sledding. Our route takes us across frozen lakes and gentle hills, where we’ll learn the nuances of guiding the sleds by “pedaling” and “scootering”. We’ll also practice with shifting our weight to help the sled turn as well as jumping on and off the runners when we’re going uphill.
During a midday break, we’ll gather around an open fire to prepare a hearty lunch. With two women per sled, you’ll have the chance to switch between actively driving the sled and enjoying the serene winter vistas, sitting cozily bundled in the comfort of the sled. If you love dogs, you’ll adore this adventure! We’ll return to our condos in time to freshen up before having dinner at the Bluefin restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay resort
On Day 5 we’ll have a choice between two exhilarating winter adventures. Option one is to hit the trails at Pincushion Mountain, renowned for its diverse cross-country skiing terrain on the North Shore. Alternatively, for those craving more snowshoeing, we’ll explore a scenic trail at George Washington Pines. Amidst our snowy escapades, we’ll pause for a picnic lunch at a nearby warming hut before wrapping up our outdoor activities.
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. As the day winds down, we’ll reconvene at the Condos at Bluefin to share appetizers, engage in lively conversation, and savor our final group dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Accommodation: Bluefin Bay resort
On the final day of our Lake Superior winter adventure, we’ll go on a captivating hike along a nearby gorge, immersing ourselves in the winter scenery of the river and marveling at nature during this frozen season.
Following our hike, we’ll gather for a final lunch before bidding farewell to each other and leaving Tofte by 1 pm. We’ll be back at the Duluth airport no later than 3:30 pm. Rest assured, navigating the small Duluth Airport will be easy, so you can plan your departure flight anytime after 4:30 pm.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Plans for any specific day are subject to changes due to weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and the collective preferences of the group.
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This Lake Superior winter adventure is designed for women with a moderate level of fitness who enjoy active adventures. It is suitable for anyone who has a regular exercise routine that includes walking, biking, swimming or other aerobic activities for 20-40 minutes 3 to 4 times a week.
This trip offers a range of outdoor winter activities from dog sledding to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Your winter adventure on Lake Superior can be as active or relaxed as you choose! However, if you want to participate in every activity offered, some prior conditioning is definitely a good idea.
Whether you’re new to these winter sports or already experienced, the guides will provide instruction to suit your skill level and to get you to the next step. Plus, spending some time in the sauna or outdoor hot tub at the end of your day will help relax your sore muscles and prepare you for the following active days.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
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.
Temperatures on this Lake Superior winter adventure can range from 25 above zero to 25 below zero. It is recommended to dress in layers from long underwear to a windproof outer layer.
All your clothing should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends, or wool/wool blends. No cotton for your activewear! Several layers of varied-weight materials provide better insulation than one thick layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity.
It’s important to pack extensively to ensure you’re equipped for the unpredictable conditions of Minnesota winters. The more gear you have at your disposal, the better prepared you’ll be to contend with the ever-changing Minnesota conditions. Keep in mind that Minnesota winters differ significantly from winters in other parts of the United States, so being well-prepared is essential for a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
You will begin your Lake Superior winter adventure in Duluth at the Inn on the banks of Lake Superior. The Inn boasts a fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and rooftop pool and nightly s’mores by the fire.
At the Inn, you’ll be sharing a room with a fellow participant if you’re coming by yourself. You don’t have to pay a single supplement unless you want to guarantee you have your own room the first night. In this case, you can book a single room for an added fee upon checkout.
The next four nights of your Lake Superior winter adventure will be spent at the award-winning Bluefin Bay resort. Bluefin Bay presents a selection of well-designed, cozy resort condos, situated right on the lake. Each unit offers a fireplace, jacuzzi, and stunning views. Enjoy the luxury of year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, along with two saunas, an indoor pool, whirlpool/spa, and an exercise room.
You’ll be staying in a two or three bedroom condo and you’ll have a private bedroom with either a king or queen-sized bed. Some bedrooms have their own bathroom and others will share a bathroom (maximum 2 people)—your rooms will be assigned randomly. All lodgings on this winter adventure on Lake Superior provide soap, shampoo, and conditioner.
Meals on this Lake Superior winter adventure offer a blend of homemade delights and restaurant dining. Guides will cook breakfasts and some dinners at the lodging, while other dinners will be enjoyed at restaurants where you can order off the menu. At breakfast the guides will provide “fixings” for lunch and you will pack your own lunch and snacks.
If notified in advance, your guides can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. However, a completely gluten-free diet cannot be guaranteed and your guides cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan or gluten-sensitive, it is suggested to bring additional protein bars for vegans and/or gluten-free snacks. If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know upon checkout
For your Lake Superior winter adventure, all sports equipment needed for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, as well as ski passes will be provided by the guides. This excludes packing list items under the section “What do I need to bring?”
If you don’t have boots that are as warm as is recommended, don’t worry! As long as you’re equipped with suitable boots for snowshoeing, your guides will rent you boots for the dogsledding portion free of charge. Additionally, you can rent a parka and wind pants specifically for dog sledding, and purchase extra hand and toe warmers on-site.
Group sizes and pricing
Lake Superior winter adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Duluth, the starting point of your Lake Superior winter adventure, most people fly into Duluth International Airport (DLH), 15 minutes from the city center. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.
You should arrive in Duluth by 3 pm on arrival day. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at a predetermined location or the Inn on Lake Superior where you’ll spend the first night.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!