Guide to Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing Northern MN

Looking to Snowshoe or Cross-Country Ski in Northern Minnesota?

During the winter months, Northern Minnesota becomes a winter wonderland covered in a blanket of ice and snow. As such, many activities get shelved for the season while other hobbies come to the forefront. In these cold conditions, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing emerge as some of the most popular due to their designs for heavy snow.

If you’re looking to get into Northern Minnesota snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, there are a number of things to keep in mind. Read on as we explore the expectations for a trip this far north, the best areas around Northern Minnesota to go, how to prepare yourself and your gear, alongside some tips for making the entire experience more enjoyable. 

What to Expect on Northern Minnesota Snowshoe and XC Ski Trips

Northern Minnesota has a ton of opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. In general, here are what you can expect from the terrain:

Groomed vs Ungroomed Trails

While finding the right trail for your adventure, you’ll come across both groomed and ungroomed trails. As they sound, groomed trails have received some treatment to flatten, compact, and display the trail path whereas ungroomed trails may be missing all three of these elements. Depending on your experience level and what mode of transportation you’re using will impact what type of trail is best. For newer winter explorers, staying on groomed trails is generally much safer and more enjoyable.

Terrain Types: Forest Loops, Lake Crossings, Trails Through Wetlands

Throughout Northern Minnesota is quite a variety of terrain types you’ll encounter. In the thick of winter, with snow and ice afoot, even more of these terrain types are unlocked to explore. Of course, there are classic forest loops that sometimes feel more like a winter hike. Then there are unique winter terrains like frozen lake crossings and trails through iced-over wetlands that allow you to explore areas unreachable during the warmer months.

Equipment Needs

To be properly prepared for a Northern Minnesota winter adventure, you’ll need a healthy list of supplies. At the forefront is warmth, appropriate layers that allow you to whisk sweat and stay warm in the face of winds and cold temperatures. Then, of course, equipment to move around including snowshoes or skis can be extremely helpful, though there are places to rent this equipment as well. We’ll take a deeper dive into equipment needs later on.

Top Snowshoe and Cross-Country Ski Areas Around Crane Lake/Voyageurs

One thing is for sure about Northern Minnesota –  there is no shortage of awesome snowshoeing and cross-country skiing areas. Particularly around Crane Lake and Voyageurs National Park, here are some of the fan-favorite routes.

Local Crane Lake “Backcountry” Routes

Crane Lake contains multiple backcountry routes in the area to see the sights on both snowshoes and skis. These trails are generally ungroomed. A quick list of some of the shorter fan-favorites include the Grouse Hunter Walking Tail (1.75-mile loop), the Statue Loop (under 1-mile loop), and the Vermilion Gorge Trail (3-mile out-and-back). 

Echo Bay Trail in Kabetogama

The closest groomed trail to Crane Lake, the Echo Bay Trail in Kabetogama, is a fantastic place to go. This trail snakes through forests and over wetlands for a truly beautiful adventure. The trail in total creates about a 2.5-mile loop.

Other Notable Park Trails: Black Bay, Tilson Creek, Oberholtzer Loop

Also in and around Voyageurs National Park are the trails called Black Bay, Tilson Creek, and Oberholtzer Loop. These trails are other fantastic options to see the various sights of the beautiful Northern Minnesota landscape. These trails wind through wetlands, dense forests, and lakes at various lengths to give you a tremendous amount of flexibility for your adventure.

Trails Further Afield in the Chippewa National Forest Region

Further away from Crane Lake lies another series of trails including the famous (and long) North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT). 71-miles of this trail pass right through Chippewa National Forest making it a great way to get some trail experiences. Alongside the NCT, Chippewa contains hundreds of miles of other trails of all varieties to explore the vast and unique Northern Minnesota wilderness.

Season and Weather Considerations

Naturally, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing require specific conditions to operate. Northern Minnesota has no problem achieving these conditions, but only at specific times of the year.

Best Months for Snow Cover/Ideal Conditions

While snow can start to accumulate in November and last until April, the months where the snow layer is the deepest and the ice is the thickest is usually within January and February. Layers of compact snow alongside solid ice are key features that allow for successful, fun snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

How Snow Depth, Wind, and Freeze-Thaw Cycles Affect Trails

Snow depth and general temperatures are huge factors that can affect trail conditions. Ideally, you want frozen trails in subfreezing temperatures. When temperatures rise and the sun creates muddy puddles with thin snow, using the trail will create ruts. These ruts, in turn, are hard to fix and can make certain areas of the trail generally unusable.

When to Avoid: Early/Late Season Risks

Early and late in the season, when snow depth has lowered and temperatures are rising, is when you’re best doing other activities. A lack of snow exposes hazards of the trails like rocks and tree stumps that will cause injury and equipment damages. Plus, as just mentioned, going on trails on sunny days in warmer temperatures can create huge ruts in the trail, which could make the trail unusable going into the season. On top of that, when ice begins to thaw, you open up an additional level of danger by falling into a lake or wetlands. Best practice is to wait until snow has thoroughly accumulated and the lakes have solid layers of ice.

How to Prepare and What to Bring

Being prepared for your winter adventure in Northern Minnesota is hugely important. Here are some of the items that are truly must-have out there:

Gear List: Snowshoes, Skis, Poles, Skins, Boots, Crampons

Having the tools to snowshoe and ski, with the bells and whistles, can go a long way towards enhancing your enjoyment. Besides shoeshoes, skis, and poles, items like the right boots, ski skins, and crampons can be deployed in the right setting. 

Clothing and Layering Advice

In general, given the cold outside but warmth your body produces while snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, you’ll want a moisture-wicking bottom layer to start you off. From there, an insulating mid-layer is huge for keeping in crucial warmth. On top, having a wind-resistent, waterproof layer will seal you in from potentially harsh weather. 

Navigation Tools: Maps, GPS, Trail Apps

Having navigation tools on top is huge for your safety and overall enjoyment on the trails. Getting lost is no fun and can be especially dangerous in winter conditions where darkness can fall quickly. Best practice is to have multiple forms of navigation like physical maps, GPS devices, trail apps, compasses, and a planned route from the beginning.

Tips for Choosing Trails and Planning Your Route

With loads of trails, both groomed and ungroomed, there are plenty of options for you to pick from. Consider some of the following:

Matching Trail Difficulty to Fitness/Experience

Always consider your personal experience on snowshoes/cross-country skis alongside your personal fitness when picking a trail. These activities can be taxing on the body, especially if your body isn’t used to the movements. For maximum enjoyment, don’t overextend in your trail selection.

Loop vs Out-and-Back vs Point-to-Point Trails

Generally speaking, there are three classifications that all trails fall under. The loop trail goes in a circle, providing new sights along the way. Out-and-back follows the same route going out as coming in; this is great for seeing a sight. Point-to-point trails can be slightly harder to coordinate as you don’t finish in the same spot you start. The advantage, though, is that you can cover more ground and potentially make a multiple day trip out of your adventure.

Plan for Lodging or Base Locations

Always map out and preplan your route. Include base locations where you can set up to launch as well as lodging considerations. Some of the longer, more major trails can have lodging situations on/near the trail; always be sure to plan ahead if using these.

This northeast Minnesota territory is part of Voyageurs National Park and offers many outdoor activities, such as kayaking, biking, hiking, and backpacking. Visitors from all over Minnesota, Wisconsin, and beyond travel to Crane Lake to enjoy the vast wilderness and explore the beauty of its many lakes and waterways. There are many local accommodations from cabin rentals to fishing tours with family fun activities for all ages. Contact us today to learn more about Crane Lake and plan your visit!

Book Your Snowshoe/Cross-Country Ski Trip to Northern Minnesota!

Northern Minnesota & Crane Lake in the winter are unlike anything else. The dense forests and frozen lakes provide incredible scenery to explore, especially on more engaging forms of transportation like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Crane Lake and the surrounding forests have hundreds of miles of trails falling in various difficulty categories. With both groomed and ungroomed trails, there is plenty of opportunity to personalize your experience and have an enjoyable adventure. Don’t wait; start getting your fitness ready and book your snowshoeing or cross-country ski trip to Northern Minnesota today!