Duluth’s best groomed cross country ski trails

The Duluth XC Ski Club is responsible for grooming most of these trails and making them available to our community and visitors during the colder months. Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorites.

Chester Bowl

Chester Bowl trail is a quick, yet beautiful, 3 kilometer loop. You can find both downhill and XC skiing at Chester Bowl, with ski races on most weekends January - February. According to their website, they try to remove as many financial barriers as possible, making skiing more accessible to everyone in Duluth.

Level: Intermediate

Trail length: 3k (no lights)

Grand Ave

Grand Ave Nordic Ski Trails are the newest trails in town, located at the bottom of Spirit Mountain. You can find a full service chalet with a restaurant and restrooms and 1.5 kilometers of the trail is supported by snow-making abilities.

Cost: $10 + tax per day

Level: Intermediate

Trail length: 2.5k

Hartley

After you ski the 5k loop, we’d recommend dropping off the skis and taking a hike up to rock knob to check out the view we all love in the summer and fall. It’s just as spectacular in the winter!

Cost: MN Ski Pass

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 5k

Lester-Amity

Lester-Amity trail system offers a cozy chalet off Seven Bridges Rd. The trails are lit, which is a bonus as the days become shorter.

Cost: MN Ski Pass

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 18k

Magney-Snively

Connecting to the Spirit Mountain trail, you can ski this longer trail and stop at two overlooks, Ely’s Peak and Bardon Peak.

Cost: MN Ski Pass

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 14k

Piedmont

Piedmont ski trails offer a larger loop that’s less challenging, with a a couple added loops to give you more of a challenge.

Cost: MN Ski Pass

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 5k

Snowflake Nordic Center

Snowflake Nordic Ski Center is a non-profit, offering trails for both classic and skate skiers. Free skiing for Olympians and kids under 5.

Cost: $10 daily pass

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 15k

Spirit Mountain

The Spirit Mountain Nordic trails connect to Magney-Snively trails, giving you plenty of options. For an added treat, stop in your favorite Duluth cidery for a refreshing beverage after a day full of skiing.

Cost:

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 20k

UMD Bagley Nature Area

Located near the University, you can ski here for free (classic skiing only).

Cost: Free

Level: Beginner - Advanced

Trail length: 2.7k

Or, hop on over the duluthxc.com to find more information on these trails and the organization’s initiatives in the city.

Need an XC ski pass? Click here to get your Great Minnesota Ski Pass.

Looking for a way to get involved with the local ski trails? Contact Duluth XC Club!

Need updates on trail conditions? Skip on over to SkinnySki.com.