Local Cross-Country Ski Trails
The City of Duluth maintains 30 miles (48k) of ski trail between Magney Snively, Piedmont, Chester, Hartley, and Lester-Amity parks. Upper Spirit Mountain, Grand Avenue Nordic Center, UMD BagleyNature Area, and Snowflake Nordic Ski Center provide an additional 25 miles (40k), for a total of 55 miles (88k) of trail within the City limits!
In addition to the City of Duluth ski system, there are dozens of miles of trails throughout the region including Cloquet, Carlton, Superior, Two Harbors and beyond.
Below is a growing list of Nordic Ski Trails in/near Duluth listed from West to East.
Nordic Ski Trails in/near Duluth (west to east)
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Pine Valley Ski Trails: 10k, Classic & Skate – Cloquet, MN (218) 879-4413
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Jay Cooke State Park: 51k, Classic only – Carlton, MN (218) 384-4610
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Spirit Mt. Nordic Center: 20k, Classic & Skate
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Magney-Snivley: 14k, Classic & Skate
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Superior Municipal Forest: 26k, Skate & Classic, Superior (WI) (715) 395-7299
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Keene Creek: owned and operated by the City of Hermantown (south end of Okerstrom Rd.)
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Piedmont: 5k Classic only, 1k Skate
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Snowflake Nordic Center: 13k, Classic & Skate (218) 726-1550
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Chester Bowl: 3k, Classic & Skate
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Bagley Nature Center: 2.7k, Classic only, owned and operated by UMD (218) 726-7128
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Hartley: 5k, Classic only
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Lester-Amity: 15k, Classic & Skate (main trail + skijoring loop at golf course)
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Boulder Lake Ski Trails: 22k, Classic & Skate (218) 721-4903
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Korkki Nordic: 11k, Classic only (218) 525-7326
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Erkki Harju: 10.5k, Classic & Skate – Two Harbors, MN (218) 834-6586 (*home phone of volunteer groomer)
Trying to figure out what ski trail to start with? Check out the below articles and blogs.
Guide to beginner-friendly ski trails in/near Duluth (from Northern Wilds magazine)
History of Korkki Nordic (from Northern Wilds magazine)
Skiing the North Shore (includes Duluth)
Ski Passes
Your ski pass fees directly supports Minnesota's cross-country ski trail system, thank you!
THE GREAT MINNESOTA SKI PASS
Purchased through Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Notes:
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Anyone 16 or older must have a Great Minnesota Ski Pass to ski on groomed trails in Minnesota state parks, state forests, or on state or grant-in-aid trails.
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All City of Duluth Trails require this pass.
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HERE is an interactive map that shows the ski trails your pass can be used at.
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Sign your ski pass and be sure to carry it with you every time you go skiing. You can also take a photo/screenshot on your phone for easy retrieval.
Cost:
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One-day: $10
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One-year: $25
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Three-year: $70
Purchase Pass:
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Online at MN DNR
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By Phone: Call 1-888-665-4236
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In Person: click here for a list of Duluth area locations where a pass can be purchased
Duluth area trails requiring this pass:
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Chester
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Gooseberry Falls
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Hartley
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Jay Cooke
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Lester
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Magney-Snively
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Piedmont
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Two Harbors Area Ski Trails
SPIRIT MOUNTAIN NORDIC CENTER
Spirit Mountain operates the Spirit Mountain Nordic Center (formerly Grand Avenue Nordic Center)
Cost:
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Daily Individual: $10
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Daily Students (ages 6-12): $5
Purchase pass:
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Spirit Mountain Nordic Center is located at 8551 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55808, and starts at the Grand Avenue Chalet at the base of Spirit Mountain.
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Parking is in the large parking lot at the Grand Avenue Chalet.
Hours:
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Dawn until 8:30 p.m. daily
Rentals:
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Spirit Mountain offers rentals at the Grand Ave. Nordic Center.
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Adult and kids classic equipment: $10 plus tax (only located at the Grand Ave. during ticket office hours)
Grooming:
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Performed nightly by Spirit Mountain as conditions warrant
Trail Reports + Updates:
Frequent updates from Spirit Mountain about both Grand Avenue Nordic Center and alpine hill conditions are available at:
SNOWFLAKE NORDIC CENTER
Snowflake Nordic Center is privately operated and has its own pass system
About:
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Full-service cross country skiing facility
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Spacious, warm chalet with a waxing room and rentals
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Over 13 kilometers of expertly groomed trails
Cost:
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Daily Individual: $10
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Free skiing for all olympians and kids under 5
Purchase pass:
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Spirit Mountain Nordic Center is located at 8551 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55808, and starts at the Grand Avenue Chalet at the base of Spirit Mountain.
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Parking is in the large parking lot at the Grand Avenue Chalet.
Hours:
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Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rentals:
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Full package (skis, boots, poles): $10/day
Trail Reports + Updates:
Snowflake updates trail status whenever they groom and/or when conditions change between groomings. The most timely info is posted in the following order:
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Chalet Phone Message 218-726-1550
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Instagram @snowflakeduluth
Duluth Area Dog Friendly Ski Trails
The Duluth area is home to miles of world class cross-country skiing. Below we have put together a list of local trails where you can bring your four-legged friend for skiing or skijoring. Please remember to follow all local rules and regulations when skiing with your dog.
NOTE: Skiing with dogs on groomed city trails is prohibited (Lester, Hartley, Piedmont, Magney-Snively, AND Spirit Mountain.) *It is illegal in the City of Duluth for an animal to be unleashed in public spaces. Make sure your dog is on leash on all city trails.
Please always clean up after your dog!
More Info
Address
1860 Lester River Road
Duluth, MN 55804
Groomed trails for both walking and skiing.
*This is city property so please keep dogs on leash.
Snowflake Nordic Ski Center
Website
Address
4348 Rice Lake Rd
Duluth, MN 55811
Members of Snowflake may ski with their dogs.
Boulder Lake Ski Trails
Website
Address
7328 Boulder Dam Rd
Duluth, MN 55803
Skiing with dogs allowed on Thursdays and Sundays only.
Address
County Road 285 (Fish Lake Dam Road)
Fredenberg Township
Direction can be found HERE
Skiing with dogs allowed on Wolf Run Trail only.
Address
Superior, WI 54880
Trail heads at the intersection of 28th Street and Wyoming Avenue (Millennium Trail Head) as well as at the intersection of 42nd Street and Billings Drive near the Archery Range. The Millennium Trail Head has a ski shack along with a portable toilet. There are no amenities at 42nd Street.
Skijoring is permitted on Chase's Point, Millennium, and Blue trails. See map on website or trail signage. Use caution and wear bright clothing as Billings Drive is also a snowmobile trail.
Ski Equipment Rental
Cross-country ski equipment is available to rent at the following locations.
Hartley Nature Center | On-site use only, 218-724-6735
Snowflake Nordic Center | On-site use only, 218-726-1550
UMD Outdoor Program | Near Bagley Nature Area ski trail, 218-726-6134
Continental Ski & Bike | 218-728-4466
The Ski Hut | 218-724-8525
Spirit Mountain Ski Shop | In Skyline Chalet not Nordic Center, 218-624-852
Other Minnesota Ski Trails
Looking for an adventure outside of the Duluth area? Check out this Interactive Map of all of The Great Minnesota Ski Pass locations. In addition, check out this list of Minnesota State Parks that have cross-country ski trails in both skate and classic styles.