REGIONS: NORTHEAST WINTER FUN IN DULUTH By Hansi Johnson Duluth offers every variety of winter sport– I experienced three in just a single day! My idea of a perfect Duluth winter day is to complete the “snowfecta” of ice climbing, cross-country skiing and fat biking before sunset. I start the day with a hearty breakfast at the perky Sunshine Cafe , a small diner in West Duluth that produces great home-style meals. Fortified for action, I then head over to nearby Quarry Park for some breathtaking ice climbing. This former industrial site has been re-imagined and is now one of Duluth’s most amazing winter sports hubs. The ice tools make a satisfying thump as I swing them at the imposing 80’ wall of verglas. My heart hammers, while my adrenaline propels me up the climb. Topping out, I swing lazily back down on my rope, much to my belayers adulation, against a backdrop of waterfalls and, below, the city of Duluth. Stoked, I hop in my truck and roll down to the blossoming Lincoln Park Craft District and the Dovetail Café for a warm-up and a bump of espresso. Time for a fast-paced Nordic ski at the Grand Avenue Nordic Center (GANC)! Guaranteed snow and daily grooming make GANC the top choice for an exhilarating skate ski. I push off and glide across the pristine snow, loving the fresh corduroy under my feet. My front teeth tingle as the cold kisses my extra wide smile, my breath streaming behind me as I fly up the trail. Famished, I’m glad Northern Waters Smokehaus is just a short jaunt away. I savor a masterpiece of a sandwich while staring out the window of the deli and watch snowflakes filter down through the sunlight and people bustle through Canal Park . I can see my fat bike dangling off the back of my truck in the parking lot, begging me for a fast ride at the Mission Creek trail system. As the sun sets, a glowing spray of powder spins off the front wheel of my bike. Silently, I float on Mission Creek’s hard-packed singletrack trails through mature stands of White Pine and Birch trees, a Great Grey owl swooping away as I pass. I load my bike on my truck and daydream of a tasty pint and warm bar at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. , where I’ll sip and plan another snowfecta day in Duluth. @visit_duluth A DAY OF Nordic skier at the Grand Avenue Nordic Center 100 | EXPLORE MINNESOTA .COM
Explore Minnesota Travel Guide 2021 Explore Minnesota Travel Guide: Page 101
