Although Duluth may be the snowiest city of consequence in the state, the snowiest town in Minnesota is almost always a community tucked against the Lake Superior highlands along its north shore. Lutsen, for example, regularly receives more snow (not counting what is made at the eponymous ski resort) than most other places in the state, making it one of the state’s snowiest towns – and a great place for a winter getaway in Minnesota.

It will come as a surprise to almost no one who lives here that the township of Lutsen is one of the snowiest places in Minnesota.
Google Street View/Lutsen, MN
This area of the state - the North Shore Highlands - is the snowiest part of Minnesota, thanks to Lake Superior's "lake effect."
Trent Jonas/OnlyInYourState
The area around Lutsen regularly receives more than 100 inches of snow. In 2019, they were blessed with more than 124 inches of the white stuff.
Consider a stay at Cascade Lodge. It's adjacent to a state park, offers in-house dining at its restaurant, and affords spectacular Lake Superior views.
Cascade Lodge/Facebook
Situated outside of Lutsen, proper, the lodge is a perfect jumping-off point for your winter adventures or a quick trip into Grand Marais.
Nicholas Hartman/Google
Book ​​one of the resort's cabins to use as your basecamp. You won't be disappointed by the lodge's amenities or its proximity to so many awesome things to do in winter in Minnesota.
Jump start your day with a steaming cuppa joe from Fika Coffee.
Fika Coffee/Facebook
After you've fueled up, hit the trails. You can access more than 36 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails from Cascade Lodge.
Cascade Lodge/Facebook
There are hundreds of additional miles of trails in the area.
Snowshoeing is also a fun way to explore this wintertime wonderland.
Cascade Lodge/Facebook

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Fat bikers are welcome at Cascade Lodge and on many of the adjacent trails.
josh king/Google
Snowmobile enthusiasts will also appreciate the miles and miles of North Shore trails.
Cascade River State Park is right next door to the resort, so be sure to take a short hike and visit the park's waterfalls.
Troy Molde/Google Reviews
If you prefer a little more adrenaline in your day, Alpine skiers and snowboarders flock to Lutsen Mountains, the largest ski resort in the Upper Midwest, for skiing and boarding with a view.
Ryan Mosby/Google
If you time your visit right, you can cheer on your favorite musher and team in the longest dogsled race in the Lower 48.
John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon/Facebook
In late January or early February, racers in the annual John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon mush their way through Lutsen.

You can learn a little more about these intrepid mushers and their amazing dogs in this YouTube video from PBS North:

Don't pass up on dinner at The Strand Waterfront Dining Restaurant. It's located at the venerable Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior.
Lutsen Resort/Facebook
Editor’s Note: The Lutsen Resort burned down in February 2024, though the owner is hoping to rebuild.
After dinner, enjoy a crackling lakeside fire on the resort's beach.
Lutsen Resort/Facebook
We think ​​Lutsen Resort is one of the best in Minnesota, and it is a worthy destination in its own right.
And as always, keep your eyes peeled for the northern lights.
Lutsen Township

While you’re spending time in the snowiest town in Minnesota, don’t forget to stop by the Lockport Marketplace and Grill to grab a tasty breakfast or lunch. We sure think that this is one of the best places to spend winter in Minnesota. Don’t forget – as the Scandinavians say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation, so be sure to pack all the winter essentials you’ll need before you head up to Lutsen. Along the same lines, if you’re heading out on the trails – whether snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter hiking, or snowmobiling – be sure to download AllTrails Plus, so you’ll have offline trail maps available for navigation.

Have you made it up to Lutsen in the winter? What are some of your other favorite snowy destinations in the North Star State? Be sure to tell us all about them in the comments!

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More to Explore

Things To Do In Winter In Minnesota

Trent Jonas | November 30, 2023

When winter rolls around in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it can last a while - usually several months - so we can't just sit around waiting for it to end. No, we've got to get out there and do stuff. Fortunately, there are many things to do in winter in Minnesota that will keep you occupied until the weather warms up.

Holiday Events - The holiday season in the Bold North is chock full of events, sights, and festivals to keep you busy throughout December - and well into January! These are some of our favorite things to do around the holidays in Minnesota:

 

Winter Getaways - Another awesome way to stay warm when the water freezes in the Land of 10,000 Lakes is to enjoy a winter getaway or two. Some of our favorite destinations for a getaway include:

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Lutsen, MN, USA