Cross Country Skiing on the North Shore, MN: Here Are the Best Places To Go

While winter in Minnesota brings cold, it also brings tons of fluffy snow that is perfect for getting out on cross country ski trails.

And the North Shore in Minnesota is known for having some of the best and largest ski trails in the entire country.

I’ve been skiing for my entire life, and the Sugarbrush Trails on the North Shore have become a favorite of mine because of how beautiful they are!

There are options for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers, and in this post, I’ll share the best places for cross country skiing on the North Shore.

North Shore, MN Cross Country Ski Trails

Sugarbush Ski Trails

This system of 65 kilometers of cross country ski trails has easily become a favorite for myself and Tyler as well as other people who ski the North Shore.

It’s found just outside of Tofte, near Lutsen, and has trails that are suitable for all levels. Plus there are routes for classic or skate skiers.

Our favorite loop to hit is the Oberg Loop, which starts off of Onion River Road and is about a 7 km (4 mile) loop. It has mixes of beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

We love this system so much because it’s just a bit inland, so there is great, fluffy snow, and the views are pretty phenomenal, especially when you’re able to get up on a hill.

Norpine Ski Trail System

The Norpine Ski Trail system encompasses a pretty wide range of trails that stem from Lutsen to Cascade River State Park.

There are a few different sections here, either the Hall-Massey Loop or the Deer Yard Loop, as well as the connector trails.

The Hall-Massey Loop is better for beginners, and there’s a really great stretch from Lutsen Mountain to the Cascade Trails that is fairly flat and best for beginners.

Once you get over to the Deer Yard Loop, it’s a bit more advanced, although there are plenty of sections for beginners as well.

These also connect to the Cascade River Ski Trails, which wind through Cascade River State Park.

We love skiing to Lookout Mountain here, which sits at over 1,200 feet and has a really stunning view over the Sawtooth range and Lake Superior.

Pincushion Mountain

This trail system is pretty well known not only for it’s great ski trails but also for being a great hiking trail during the summer.

Pincushion Mountain’s trail system is found right off of the Gunflint Trail just outside of Grand Marais.

There are 25 kilometeres of trails, most of which are beginner and intermediate, although there are a couple of sections great for advanced skiers as well.

The East and West Overlook loops are perfect for short sections that stick close to the trailhead, while the full Pincushion Mountain Loop is a long but beautiful winding section with great views!

Bally Creek Ski Trails

The Bally Creek Ski Trails are a smaller system of trails that are mostly designed for beginner skiers.

They connect to the Norpine Ski Trail System through an ungroomed trail that’s rated as advanced, but once you’re in Bally Creek, everything is groomed.

The trails loop through the forest as well as along Forest Road 158, which is mostly unplowed in the winter except for a short section to some rental cabins.

Northwoods Ski Trails

These trails connect to Silver Bay and are only available for classic skiers. There are 19 kilometers of trails here that wind through the forest.

Most are beginner with the Maple Corner loop being a pretty simple 2.1 km loop that leads through the trees.

If you’re looking for something a bit more advanced, check out the Big Pine loop which is a bit longer and has the option to hop on the connector trail to Tettegouche Camp near some of the best waterfalls in the area.

You can also jump on a few other spur trails to see Bean Lake, which is known for it’s amazing fall colors, but is also stunning in the winter.

Central Gunflint Ski Trail

If you’re up for a bit of a drive to get to some of the best cross country skiing on the North Shore, then head up the Gunflint Trail to about its halfway point.

Here you’ll find the Central Gunflint Ski System, which encompasses over 70 kilometers of trails that wind through the Superior National Forest.

Tyler and I typically like to head up to this trail system when we really want to escape any other crowds that may be down closer to Grand Marais or Silver Bay.

Most of the trails here are groomed for classic skiing but there are also quite a few that are ready for skate skiing. Some of them are even lit for night skiing which is a pretty unique way to experience the North Shore in winter.

The Central Gunflint ski trails are privately owned and maintained by Bearskin Lodge and Golden Eagle Lodge, so you’ll need to get a pass from one of these resorts. However, it’s well worth it for such amazing skiing.

Erkki Harju Ski Trail

This shorter trail is closest to Duluth, found right in Two Harbors. It’s only about 10.5 kilometers of trails, and is groomed for both classic and skate skiers.

The trails here are mostly for intermediate skiers, although there are a few that are groomed for beginners or advanced as well.

One of my favorite parts of this trail is that 3km of it is lit, so you can actually head out after dark, which we know takes up most of our days in the winter.

Korkki Nordic Ski Trail

Right off of Highway 61 between Duluth and Two Harbors is the Korkki Nordic Ski Center, which is a bit different than the others on this list.

There are 11 kilometers of challenging trails that are able to be used on a membership-basis. So once you have your membership, you can use them for the year.

Although they’re not as easily accessible to the public, a lot of people love these trails because they allow you to get away from some of the rest of the public! This makes it well worth it in my book.

Tips for Skiing on The North Shore

Before getting out and hitting the trails, make sure that you know these tips to avoid having your day not go as planned.

• Get your Minnesota Ski Pass, which is required on all state park (such as in Tettegouche State Park), state forest, or grant-in-aid trails around the state. You can grab yours online or at select outfitters, lodges, and gas stations in Cook County.
• Know which trails require other passes. While the MN Ski Pass covers most, there are a few (such as the Central Gunflint and Korkki Nordic Ski Trails) are not covered and may require their own pass.
• Stick to groomed ski trails and stay on the correct path. If you’re a skate skier, stick to the skate ski lanes and if you’re a classic skier, stay in the classic lanes.
• If you’re having trouble finding good snow, head inland a little bit where there’s typically more snow and less ice (ie.; move away from the lake!).
• If you need equipment rentals, you can find them at select resorts and lodges along the shore, otherwise Sawtooth Outfitters in Tofte and Bearskin Lodge in Grand Marais offer rentals.
• Be sure to book your accomodations far in advance because even though you’ll be visiting in the off-season, the North Shore stays busy year-round, so you will need to book any resorts or small cabins ahead of time!

Conclusion: Cross Country Skiing on the North Shore

Now that winter is here and we have the opportunity to take advantage of it, check out some of these amazing cross country ski trails on the North Shore and enjoy them!

I have loved exploring them for years now and have found many hidden gems among them, and I know that you will too!