Cross Country Skiing
Serenity in the Superior National Forest
You’ll find serenity on our trails and we promise to keep them well-groomed and ready for you! Our winters can be long and snowy, and we’ve adapted to make the most of them – there’s no better example of this than cross-country skiing. Plenty of classical and skate trails welcome skiers of all ages. In all, we have hundreds of kilometers of winding trails with (mostly) gentle hills and an abundance of northwoods scenery all around.
Here, you’re in Mother Nature’s backyard, complete with the Superior National Forest, hills of the Laurentian Divide, and all Giants Ridge Resort has to offer make for an unforgettable cross-country skiing experience. Giants Ridge also offers rentals, plus onsite lodging and dining.
In Hibbing, the Carey Lake trails are well-groomed and welcoming. One section is even lit for evening adventures. It’s super family-friendly, so don’t be surprised if your littes make friends along the way!
In Aurora, ski around the St James Mine and glide right into town for a bite and a pint.
Pick a Trail and Go!
Within the Superior National Forest, find trails at Big Aspen Recreation Area and the Laurentian Divide north of Virginia, and Bird Lake near Hoyt Lakes. There are no shortage of trails, or nearby lodging and dining, to choose from.
Over 275 kilometers of Minnesota ski trails are found here and present a variety of challenges for skiers of all abilities. Get our map with 13 area trail systems included, and get out there!
Rent skis at Giants Ridge. Check state trail conditions here.
You’re Never Far From Warm Amenities
Our trails feature plenty of rest areas but they’re also not far from lodging, restaurants and more. While you might feel like the only person in the world when you’re enjoying our cross-country ski trails, civilization is always close by. Find brand name hotels that welcome your loyalty cards, or vacation rentals if that’s more your style. We also have a selection of family run motels that are clean, accommodating and affordable. We even have one campground – Iron Trail Campground in Chisholm – that is open year-round.
There’s plenty of places to enjoy libations – BoomTown Brewery in Hibbing and Eveleth is our craft brewer in the area – and after all that skiing you deserve a treat at Canelakes Candies, the oldest (and best) candy store in the state.
Cross Country Trails are Waiting
Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular trails with distances:
- Carey Lake, Hibbing: 24km with 3 km lighted trail
- Bird Lake, near Hoyt Lakes: 16km
- Lookout Mountain on the Laurentian Divide north of Virginia: 25km
- Big Aspen Recreation Area north of Virginia: 32km
- Giants Ridge Resort: 60km with 3 km lighted trail
Need a map? We’ve got ’em and we’d love to share!
