Cook County

Winter Tracks

Here in Cook County, we do winter a little bigger, bolder and better than other places. And we bet you do, too.

So hold onto your hat and check out the Winter Tracks Festival, Feb. 1-10. Winter Tracks is a 10-day, family-friendly festival throughout Cook County, with plenty of ways to Unplug & Play. Featuring alpine skiing and snowboarding, snowmobiling, snow sculptures, luminary-lit ski trails, guided snowshoe tours, dogsled or horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music and more.

Make tracks today! See full events calendar

Printable pdf of Winter Tracks 2013 event schedule

We Do Winter Better
Cook County winter, by the numbers:
• 10 feet average annual snowfall
• 400 km of groomed cross-country ski trails
• 450 miles of groomed snowmobile trails,
• 4 mountains, 92 runs and 1,000 feet of vertical at Lutsen Mountains

The Big Events
With Winter Tracks, your biggest problem will be deciding what to do. Here are some of the special events:
• Lutsen Family Fun Fest, Lutsen Mountains
Fri., Feb. 1-Sun. Feb. 3
Family Olympic races, snowshoe tours, bonfire, roasted marshmallows, fireworks and more await you—along with 92 runs on four mountains overlooking Lake Superior.
• Winter Arts Festival, Countywide
Fri., Feb. 1-Sun., Feb. 10
A multifaceted celebration of snow and creativity comprising two unique events: the Snow Carving Symposium and Winter Plein Air (an outdoor painting extravaganza).
• Easter Seals Snowarama, Grand Portage
Sat., Feb. 2
Take a thrilling spin on the Grand Portage snowmobile trails while raising money for a good cause. Cap off the fun with dinner, an awards program, and a Saturday night dance.
• Ridge Riders Snowmobile Fun Run, Grand Marais
Sat., Feb. 2,
Explore the trails starting at Devil Track Resort, then stick around for food, bingo, raffles, prizes, games and great live music.
• Winter Biking Day, Lutsen-Tofte
Sat., Feb. 9, details TBA

See day-by-day event listing.

You Can Sleigh That Again
Events aren’t the be-all and end-all of Winter Tracks. Consider Winter Tracks your invitation to try one of those classic winter activities you’ve always wanted to experience, like dogsledding, ice skating, alpine skiing, ice fishing, taking a sleigh ride, taking an art or craft class, or snowshoeing by luminary-light. And don’t forget about shopping (no big-box stores here!) and eating out.