City of Duluth Cross Country Ski Trails are Groomed to Perfection

If you've been itching to get out and do some cross country skiing, the snow Gods have answered your prayers. The Sunday snow storm has dropped enough snow for the sport and the City of Duluth has been diligent in grooming the trails to perfection. Grab your gear and ENJOY the great outdoors at it's finest!

There are four cross country ski trails in the city that are groomed and ready. These trails provide a great skiing experience for every level of skier and pass through beautiful forest with tremendous views of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River valley.

Hartley Ski Trail: There are two access points to the Hartley trails. Fairmont Street, off Woodland Avenue and the intersection of Hartley and Woodhaven, off Arrowhead Road. There is a double looped 5.0 km ski trail that is groomed for traditional cross-country skiing at beginning and intermediate levels.

Lester/Amity Ski Trail: There are 18 km of trails groomed for both traditional and skate-style skiing. Every evening a 5.0 km loop is lit from dusk to 11:00 PM. To reach Lester/Amity, drive east on Superior Street to Lester River Road, left on Lester River Road, parking lot is a block up on the left.

Piedmont Ski Trail: The ski trail is a 5 km double tracked loop that is appropriate for traditional skiers of all levels and include some scenic overlooks of the St. Louis River valley. Take Piedmont Avenue to Hutchinson Road (two blocks up from the six-corner intersection). Turn left on Hutchinson Road and follow to Adirondack Street. Trail starts on the left of Hutchinson Road.

Spirit Mountain Trail: The ski trail consists of 22 kilometers of beautifully wooded cross-country trails, double tracked with skating lanes and 1K, 5K and 11 K loops. To get to Spirit Mountain take I-35 South, follow I-35 to Exit #249 (just 5 minutes south of downtown Duluth). Take a left at the top of the off-ramp and follow the frontage road around past McDonalds, the gas station, and the hotel. From there you’ll see the signs to follow to the CC Skiing parking lots. The Spirit Mountain Nordic Trails are now a joint endeavor of the city of Duluth, the Duluth Cross-Country Ski Club, and Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.

The Great MN Ski Pass is required for skiers age 16+ on trails that receive funding through the DNR Grants-in-Aid system. Passes are available online, from DNR licensing locations, and at state parks.

Great MN Ski Pass

Cross Country Ski Etiquette