Cook County Blog

Cook County is a mecca for serious snowmobilers who enjoy a long ride with delicious food and beverages along the way.  With 450 miles of snowmobile trails and an array of dining and lodging available at every turn, Cook County is the perfect destination for a snowmobile adventure. 

The perfect winter adventure awaits you in Cook County, where in one place, you can find the largest cross-country skiing network in North America, 450 miles of impeccably groomed snowmobile trails, and the rugged Sawtooth Mountains rising above Lake Superior offering alpine skiing and snowboarding at the Midwest’s largest ski resort, Lutsen Mountains. 

Winter is full of magical experiences and snowshoeing in Cook County is one of the most incredible ways to explore our dramatic landscape. Our favorite time to get out on the trails is early in the morning after an overnight snowfall, just as the sun rises above the horizon. The utter silence you’ll experience is indescribable – that is until the birds awaken to serenade you. Take the opportunity to strap on a pair of snowshoes and explore miles of trails this winter! 

Winter means something different to everyone. Up in Cook County, Minnesota, it means freedom. Freedom to explore. Freedom to push your limits. Freedom to adventure to your heart’s content, and then relax and recuperate for as long as necessary. No judgment! Up here, winter slows things down, so you can focus on whatever you need in the here and now.

So… what winter adventures do you want to tick off your bucket list on your next stay in Cook County? Here are just a few for inspiration.

For many, seeing the northern lights is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a chance to experience the mystical, feel connected with something almost otherworldly and experience natural beauty at its utmost perfection. There is simply no comparison to seeing the northern lights with your own eyes.

Beware the Gales of November

Fall is a tumultuous time of year along Minnesota’s North Shore. We’re battered by huge, icy swells that pommel our shoreline. Every day is a gamble. Will the Gales of November make it impossible to take to the water? Or will the lake be still as a sheet of glass? Every year, Lake Superior sees about 30 inches of precipitation, most of which falls May through October. Over the years, we’ve had some truly incredible storms pass through the region, wreaking havoc, sinking ships and making the news.

The Minnesota Sea Grant has conducted extensive research into why, exactly, so many epic storms develop around Lake Superior. It all has to do with climate, and what is going on in the air above the big lake. The experts explain that “collisions between belts of low and high pressure from the Gulf of Mexico and Canada generate the region's wildest storms and blizzards.”

During November, the winds really start to pick up. This is caused by low-pressure systems passing over the lake, bringing on the Gales of November. During this time, wind speeds can easily reach 50 miles per hour, and gusts can exceed 100 mph. In Cook County, this natural phenomenon is a cause to celebrate.

Downtown Grand Marais has been hit by major early winter lake storms going back to the turn of the 20^th century. In the spirit of the Storm Season🌊, we asked local historian and seasonal Information Center guru, Dan Helmerson, to share some of his favorite stormy season photos and stories he could find from the Cook County Historical Society. We hope you'll enjoy this photographic journey through history. 

Spring is in the air, and it is time to plan a getaway. Whether you’re looking to escape the confines of your everyday life for a few days or even a week, planning can come with a tinge of sadness when it means leaving your four-legged family members behind. Finding a dog sitter or taking family and friends up on offers to keep your dog company while you’re away is all well and good, but up in Cook County, Minnesota, we say bring your fur-babies, too… the more, the merrier!

With so many dog-friendly activities and a wealth of lodging options that welcome canine family members and pet-loving locals everywhere you turn, Cook County is a fun destination on two legs and four.

February is a great month to warm up your hearts again! The calendar may still say winter, but there is really no reason you can’t warm up with your sweetie in one of our romantic getaway locations, and the quiet and secluded hideaways of Visit Cook County will definitely speak to your heart’s desire.  During the winter, our summer crowds are absent, assuring couples have the opportunity for peace and tranquil rejuvenation, while discovering spectacular scenery in an area that contains more wildlife than people!

The Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts in Tofte offers top notch romance and relaxation packages.  With units complete with fireplaces and hot tubs, directly overlooking the Lake Superior shoreline, you can enjoy your picturesque and tranquil haven, or use it as your home base while you explore the area on ski, snowshoes, or skates!  At the Waves of Superior Spa, true nurturance is on the menu, and the holistic treatments are in line with the breathtaking natural surrounding – our forests, Lake Superior, and the snow and ice covered rocks.  Individual and couples packages are available.