7 MN Winter Weekend Getaways: Winter Escapes

Winter is here and it’s time to get out of the house with a MN Winter Weekend Getaway. Pick a cozy lodge or an outdoor adventure. No matter what your tastes, you’ll enjoy winter in Minnesota at these 7 Minnesota Winter Weekend Getaways.

1. Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen, MN: Get out on the slopes this winter. One of the top spots in Minnesota to downhill ski is the North Shore’s Lutsen Mountains. Offering 92 runs on four hills and across 1,000 acres, Lutsen is one of the highest slopes in the region. It also offers the region’s only gondola ride. The ski area is known for its diverse terrain, more than 60 acres of tree ski runs and family-friendly activities. After a day on the slopes, warm up by the stone fireplace at Lutsen Lodge. The leather chairs and hand-hewn fireplaces offer a classic North Shore experience. Dine at the lodge’s lakeside dining room, or enjoy the pool and sauna.
2. Naniboujou Lodge, Grand Marais, MN: Enjoy the warmth of the largest native stone fire place in the state at Naniboujou Lodge, north of Grand Marais. The lodge’s large dining room, centered by the stone fireplace, offers an escape from the cold. Open for eight “Winter Weekends” January through March, Naniboujou’s winter package includes lodging plus all meals. Nearby, snowshoe at Judge Magney State Park, enjoy the galleries of Grand Marais, or take in the unique winter views of Lake Superior.
3. Bearskin Lodge, Gunflint Trail, MN: Head to the Gunflint Trail for the best of Minnesota winter. If you’ve never experienced night skiing, try Bearskin Lodge’s 1.5 km of lighted trails. Snowshoe across the north woods or along Bearskin Lake on the resort’s groomed trails. Enjoy broomball, ice skating on the lake, dog sledding and snowmobile trails. After, warm up by the fire in one of the lodge’s log cabins. Every Saturday through March, enjoy fine dining in the Bearskin dining room. Chef Scott Bergstrom prepares a changing menu throughout the winter.
4. MN State Park Cabins: More than two dozen Minnesota State Parks offer cabin rentals, and many are open all winter long. Heated cabins provide a unique opportunity to enjoy the parks even in the winter. Throughout the season, many of the state’s parks offer events and classes to help you take on a new wintertime activity. Learn to ice fish with your children, snowshoe, take a winter bird watching course, or ski by candlelight. Special activities include an old time logging demonstration at Itasca State Park, snowshoe lacing at Lac Qui Parle State Park and digital photography for kids at Sibley State Park.
5. Giants Ridge, Biwabik, MN: For those who want to sample a little bit of everything this winter, head to Giants Ridge in Biwabik, MN. Visitors will be hard-pressed to find a winter activity that’s not offered here. Enjoy alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling (including snowmobile rentals), tubing, a sliding hill and nearby ice fishing. Two restaurants, a cafeteria and a coffee shop will keep you well fed throughout your stay.
6. Grand Ely Lodge, Ely, MN: Located just a mile from downtown Ely, Grand Ely Lodge offers a winter weekend getaway for all tastes. Head downtown for dining and shopping, or head outside for ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross country skiing. The lodge offers fish house rentals on Shagawa Lake and is nearby miles of groomed snowmobile trails.
7. Thumper Pond Resort, Ottertail, MN: If a splash in the waterpark is on your list this winter, head to Thumper Pond Resort resort in Ottertail, MN. Its 12,000 square foot indoor waterpark has a Northwoods theme with activities for all ages, including slides, water geysers, an activity pool, a lazy river and an 18-person whirlpool.  Once you dry off, head out to the more than 500-miles of snowmobile trails in the area, cross country ski on groomed trails at the resort, or ice fish at nearby lakes.