Winter Activities

Northern Minnesota Winter fun right here at the resort!!!

Brave the cold for the best fun winter activities at a northern Minnesota resort. Loon Point Resort offers sledding, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and more with cozy FULL log cabins!

Our boat ramp serves as our sledding hill in the winter!!

We provide sleds!!!

Cross-Country Skiing

The Grand Rapids area offers more than 212K of skiing on 19 groomed trail systems. There’s a variety of terrain for the beginner, intermediate and expert, both classic and freestyle.  Don’t let winter keep you indoors…cross-country skiing is a fantastic sport for the whole family to get out and enjoy Minnesota’s nature.

Cross-Country Skiing Trails located near Loon Point Resort:

  • Stoney Ridge Trail – beginner to intermediate loops – 10 km
    • The Stoney Ridge County Trail is located on county tax forfeited land amongst large tracts of state and county land in the George Washington State Forest.  Three loops traverse the rugged terrain offering beginning and intermediate skiing.  Sherry Lake can be found at the very end of the last loop.  The Stoney Ridge Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
  • Thistledew Trail – beginner to expert – 18 km
    • The Thistledew Trail is located within the George Washington State Forest.  The variety in topography, vegetation, and animal life contribute greatly to the quality of the recreational trails.  Ski trails exist in the forest, providing loops to challenge the experienced skier as well as those that suit the novice.
  • Scenic State Park – intermediate – 16.1 km
    •  The trail travels through pristine virgin pine shore land, offering beautiful views of the lake and the wildlife through the park. Click here for trail conditions.
  • Wabana Trail – beginner to intermediate – 9.7 km
    • The Wabana County Trail offers skiers five loops to choose from within a mixed forest and wildflower sanctuary.  Especially beautiful is the river loop that follows the Wabana Creek. Clearwater Lake lies to the south of the trail system.  Wabana is one of two designated county wildflower sanctuaries.  The Wabana Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
  • Trout Lake Trail – intermediate – 10 km
    • Double-tracked classic ski 3 miles into Historic Joyce Estate (a 1920 lumber baron estate) and return, or venture off into the Doan Lake trail that is connected.
  • Amen Lake Trail – beginner to intermediate – 7 km
    • Located south of Amen Lake and west of Long Lake the Amen Lake County Trail features challenging trails through rolling hills and mixed forest. A spur trail at the far end of the loops connects to the southern portion of the Suomi Hills Recreation Area in the Chippewa National Forest. The Amen Lake Trail is located on county tax forfeited property that is managed for timber, wildlife, and dispersed recreational use by the County Land Department.
  • Suomi Hills – intermediate to expert – 34.3 km
    • The rolling topography offers cross-country trails for intermediate and advanced skiers. The trails are
      groomed and track-set in the winter.  The hilly terrain winds through forest and lakes. South trail connects to Amen Lake trails.

Trail Conditions:

  • Go to Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club – this is an excellent link with information about the trails and an interactive Google map for easy location of trails.

OTHER LINKS

Skinnyski.com – most current trail conditions.  Scroll down about 1/4 way down the page to Iron Range area.

Minnesota Ski Pass

A Minnesota Ski Pass is required on all grant-in-aid trails. Some trails require a Great Minnesota Ski Pass which may be purchased at any electronic licensing agent. Funds generated by the sale of ski passes help local, county and state organizations maintain trails. Trails are maintained by the Itasca County Parks & Trail Department, Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Trails & Waterways division, and the Northern Lights Nordic Ski Club volunteers. Your support to help maintain the trails is appreciated.

The Department of Natural Resources offers three ways for cross-country skiers to get the Great Minnesota Ski Pass. Cross-country skiers aged 16 and older must have a ski pass on most public ski trails.

  • Purchase online
  • Phone: You can purchase licenses by phone: 1-888-665-4236 (1-MN-LICENse). Call any time of day or night, seven days a week. This toll-free call provides immediate licensing by way of a license identification number, which will be issued at the time of the call. The license identification number is valid until you receive an actual license in the mail. All purchases must be made by credit card. There is $3.50 convenience fee per call.
  • In Person: You can purchase a pass over the counter at any electronic ticket agent in the State system – anywhere you can buy a fishing license, you can also purchase a ski pass. In the Grand Rapids area that includes most convenience stores, L&M Fleet Supply, Glen’s Army Navy, Rapids West End Marketplace, and Reed Drug.

Ski Passes Cost $6.00 per person for a day pass, or $20 for a full season pass that is valid everywhere in Minnesota.

Ice Fishing – Angling & Darkhouse

Darkhouse spearing is as much a tradition as it is a sport for those who participate.  Wasson Lake offers a fantastic opportunity for the spearing enthusiast due to its water clarity and lake structure.  Access to the lake is by snowmobile or ATV only.

DARKHOUSE for rent:  New aluminum 6’x6′ darkhouse with a 36″x30″ spearing hole.  Daily rate $100.00 with a minimum 2 day rental Weekly rate $400.00.   Includes heater, spear, and decoys. Every morning we will go out and get the house ready for you.   

Mt Itasca

MT ITASCA WINTER SPORTS CENTER – The Mt Itasca Winter Sports Center is a beautiful ski center located just minutes from Grand Rapids and Loon Point Resort.  The facility has Cross Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Skiing, Snowboarding, and tubing.  Take the kids tubing, skiing, or snowboarding.  Ski and snowboard equipment can be rented.  What fun!!  Equipment is available for rent.  (218) 245-3487

2018-2019 Tubing Schedule:      Open Weekends Dec 4 – March 13 (contingent upon satisfactory weather)

Hours:  Saturdays 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sundays   10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Holiday Schedule:   Open Jan 17 & Feb 21

Rates: $15.00 for 2 hours

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a great opportunity to get out into the tranquil north woods during the winter.

There is no better way to begin snowshoeing than just going out and doing it.  If you enjoy hiking in the summer months, you will love snowshoeing as a winter activity. Whether you like short walks or to go for miles, looking for a fun family activity or a little solitude.

When deciding where to go for the day, note that most cross country ski trails double as snowshoeing trails.

An excellent trail to snowshoe is the Joyce Estates trail.

Dog Sledding

Stay at Loon Point Resort in the Winter and you can experience the thrill of dog sledding with a professional musher. He can be contacted for pricing and availability to coordinate with your stay at Loon Point Resort.

SUOMI HILLS KENNEL – Suomi Hills Kennels is devoted to sharing the joy of a sled dog experience and the beauty of Minnesota’s wintry landscape.  For your sled dog tour and adventure, please contact Suomi Hills Kennel at 218-244-1265.

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