Dog Sledding and Winter Fun

Destination: Tofte, MN

| Activities: Winter Sports: Dogsledding, Snowshoeing, Cross-Country Skiing

Combining lots of outdoor activity, natural beauty, and four nights in an award-winning resort, this wintertime adventure vacation is the perfect interlude in your daily life that is at once invigorating and deeply relaxing. The invigorating part comes from the very fun activities of dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The rest of the trip is for relaxing! It's not just the hot tub or saunas, or even the optional massages. It's also the beauty and quiet of the condos with their windows looking out over Lake Superior, delicious meals that you don't have to plan or cook, and the camaraderie of other wonderful women. We guarantee that by the end of these six days you will have completely escaped the daily grind. Maximum group size: 10

Highlights

  • Experience the exhilaration of mushing a team of sled dogs through pristine winter wilderness
  • Learn or improve upon cross-country skiing skills on endless miles of well-groomed trails
  • Snowshoe the loop on Oberg Mountain with its 8 marvelous overlooks
  • Luxuriate in your beautiful condo with the waves of Lake Superior lapping at your backporch
  • Explore the quaint and charming town of Grand Marais
  • Relax your tired muscles in the hot tub and sauna

Departures and Prices

February 07 to February 12, 2025
$3295.00 - FULL
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February 14 to February 19, 2025
$3295.00 - FULL
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Inclusions

  • 1 - 2 experienced AGC guides based on group size
  • Lodging in Duluth the first night
  • Four nights lodging with a private bedroom in the condos at Bluefin Bay
  • All meals from breakfast on Saturday through lunch on Wednesday
  • All equipment needed for skiing and snowshoeing, ski passes
  • Round-trip transportation from Duluth, MN
  • One full day of dog sledding with two women per sled
Not included: Transportation to/from Duluth, alcoholic beverages, guide gratuities, packing list items, pre- or post-trip lodging

Trip Info

This trip is for any woman who wants to experience a variety of winter activities while staying in wonderful accommodations. This trip can be as relaxed or active as you choose! If you want to do every activity offered, some prior conditioning is definitely a good idea. Rating: [1] [2] [3] 4 5

Winter fun at its best! On this trip we'll try a variety of winter sports: dogsledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Whether you're totally new to these winter sports or already experienced, the guides will give you the instruction you need to get to the next step. Relaxing in the sauna or outdoor hot tub is an equally important part of the Minnesota winter experience.

The first night will in Duluth at the Inn on Lake Superior. "If you were any closer to the lake, you'd be in it!" The Inn has a fitness center, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub, and roof top pool and nightly s'mores by the fire. We will then spend four nights at the award-winning Bluefin Bay resort. Bluefin is a collection of well-designed, comfortably appointed seaside vacation resort condos located right on the lake. Each condo has a fireplace, jacuzzi, and stunning views. They also boast a year-round outdoor pool and hot tub, two saunas, indoor pool and whirlpool/spa and an exercise room. We've reserved two and three bedroom condos, each with either one king or queen-sized bed in every bedroom and 2 shared bathrooms. You can see the floor plan here.

Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.

DAY 1
Today is arrival day! Arrive in Duluth by 3pm today. It's a lovely city, right on the shores of Lake Superior, and an interesting place to spend some time if you can arrive early. Lake Superior is considered the "Greatest of the Great Lakes" boasting the largest body of freshwater on earth! Our introduction and orientation dinner will be this evening. More details about the meeting place will be in the pre-trip letter. (D)
DAY 2
We will get a quick breakfast and drive up to Tofte, about two hours from Duluth, and share a lunch at the Coho Cafe - a local gem! After checking into our condos, we'll stretch our legs with a snow shoe walk on nearby Oberg Mountain (weather permitting). Following a short climb to the top, there is a relatively flat loop trail leading to 8 different overlooks, offering a perfect introduction to the area. We'll end our day with a hearty dinner and afterwards enjoy relaxing in the hot tub or sauna, or just sit in our comfortable living room in front of a cozy fire and gaze out the window at the vast frozen lake. (B, L, D)
DAY 3
This morning we'll go for a cross country ski near Bluefin Bay. The trails are appropriate for a variety of skill levels, including those who have never been on skis before. Your guides will provide the instruction you need to learn and improve your skiing techniques. In the afternoon you may choose to relax and read at the condos, do some snowshoeing, or perhaps go out for another ski. Those wanting down time are welcome to relax at the resort and take advantage of its many amenities. (B, L, D)
DAY 4
Today is our dog sledding day! We get up early to meet our dogs and guides. Sled dogs are some of the funniest, friendliest, quirkiest dogs around and they love running through the wintry woods. After learning how to harness and hook them up, we're off for a full day of sledding. We'll drive the sleds across lakes and over gentle rolling hills, learning how to assist the dogs by "pedaling" and “scootering”. We will experiment with shifting our weight on the runners to help the sled turn as well as jumping on and off the runners when we're going uphill. After an active morning we will take a break and cook lunch over an open fire. With two women in every sled, you have the opportunity to switch between the active position of driving the sled and the more relaxing activity of sitting cozily bundled in the sled and watching the spectacular winter scenery go by. We guarantee that if you love dogs, you'll adore this adventure! We’ll return to our condos in time to freshen up prior to our dinner out at Bluefin restaurant. (B, L, D)
DAY 5
We plan to ski at Pincushion Mountain, a great cross-country ski area with a variety of trails on the North Shore. Or, if more snowshoeing is what you desire, we will explore a scenic trail at George Washington Pines. While playing in the snow, we’ll enjoy a picnic lunch at a nearby warming hut before finishing our activity. Any remaining time for the day can be spent exploring the shops and galleries of Grand Marais or exploring more trails by ski or snowshoe. Grand Marais is a charming and friendly town and well worth a visit. We'll head back to the Condos at Bluefin for appetizers, conversation and our last shared dinner together. (B, L, D)
DAY 6
Today we'll hike along a nearby gorge, giving us the chance to see the winter beauty of the river and experience the power and majesty of nature in this spectacular frozen season. We will plan to share a final lunch and leave Tofte by 1PM. We will be back at the Duluth airport no later than 3:30 PM. The Duluth Airport is small and easy to navigate; you can plan to fly out any time after 4:30 PM. (B, L)

4.8

(66 reviews)
4.8 Food
4.8 Lodging
4.9 Safety
5
(56)
4
(9)
3
(1)
2
(0)
1
(0)

*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.

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Katherine A.
6 months ago

Charlene S.
10 months ago

The great guides and the dogsledding.

Janet C.
10 months ago

The guides were very accommodating and flexible in working with the participants and the weather conditions. The food was good and plentiful. The accommodations were lovely.

Susan T.
10 months ago

I loved this trip! It was well organized, and, considering the less than optimal weather conditions, our guides were able tweak plans to provide options suited for everyone. The food was fantastic! I liked that at breakfast we discussed plans for the day, and at dinner we reviewed the day.

Carol L.
1 year ago

The dog sledding was the highlight of my trip for sure!

Pamela M.
1 year ago

The dog sledding, fellow travelers & guides Deb & Chloe

Sarah P.
1 year ago

Kathy E.
1 year ago

The guides were outstanding, accommodations were 5-star condos right on Lake Superior, weather was sunny and unseasonably warm, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing were great activities in beautiful places but the dogsledding was totally awesome and the trip highlight! It could not have been a better trip. Beautiful morning sunrises over Lake Superior we’re the icing on the cake.

Sharon S.
1 year ago

It was a really nice mix of winter activities. Lots of fresh air in a really beautiful part of the country, and of course, there were dogs!!

Terry S.
1 year ago

The guides were excellent. I've never been on a non-camping trip where the guides did the cooking before. It seems like a lot of work but they did it with grace and a smile. Dog sledding was amazing. I would have liked to do more of it.

Pamela W.
1 year ago

This is the trip I can't stop thinking about. The pure beauty of being right on Lake Superior with all of the pristine snow was incredible. All of the activities were new to me and it was so fun to challenge myself to learn how to do them. Anne and Inger were so great in teaching us first the basics and then offering additional help as we decided how far we wanted to go with it. I enjoyed going to so many different areas / trailheads for each activity. And then there was the dog sledding. I don't think I will ever forget it. Everything up to launch happened so fast because the dogs were ready to GO! Then once we got going it was magical. I found a beautiful rhythm while standing on the footboards / runners. The accommodations were beautiful, the food was outstanding, the knowledge offered was impressive and the Guides were the best. I highly recommend this trip. In fact, this trip has opened my eyes to new adventures other than just hiking. I will definitely be considering some other multi sport trips and more things I've never done before.

Barbra G.
1 year ago

Obviously, the dog sledding is a bucket list goal that all of us thought was a huge highlight of the trip. But just being in this lovely winter landscape, relearning how to snowshoe and cross-country ski, and the companionship of this great group of women was reason to try this rather counter-intuitive adventure!

Ashley B.
1 year ago

I love every moment of the trip (except for the flight home…). Leaders were supportive and full of knowledge of the various activities that we were embarking on. Having never cross country skied or driving a dog sled Anne was full of tips on how to do both. Additionally, Anne also suggested that i practiced skiing what i had recently learned versus getting frustrated on something I was unable to master on the second day. The food was fabulous, and all the women were so supportive. The latter is one thing I love about AGC versus other mixed sex companies that I occasionally travel with.

Jennifer S.
1 year ago

EXCELLENT guides— Anne and Inger were knowledgeable, friendly, hardworking, and fun. These ladies are the best in their field in my opinion! Also — Pacing of activities was good— busy but not overwhelming. Great food and comfortable accommodations

Becky A.
2 years ago

I think I have filled this out already. But in case I have not- so many things made it excellent. The group of ladies all bonded well, Anne and Chloe were great guides and did everything they could to make the trip the best it could be. SNOW! We had so much snow- it was awesome. Getting to dog sled and do all the planned activities was great. I know winter weather can sometimes impact the planned itinerary. The accommodations were great. Loved having my own room and bathroom and the setting right on the lake was amazing. Food was great every day! I would highly recommend this trip to anyone.

Alma W.
2 years ago

WOW! Totally out of my comfort zone. I don’t like winter especially being cold. The packing list helped - as well as Multiple pre trip consultations with Janie ( who is incredibly patient). While on the trip, the knowledge, guidance and patience of Chloë and Ann made it comfortable, exciting and FUN!!

Sarah W.
2 years ago

The guides!

Katherine P.
2 years ago

Anne on her home turf, showing us her “backyard” Defying the “big cold” - and I’m Canadian :-) - and going out to do activities despite it Learning skills and about gear for outdoor winter activities

Lisa B.
2 years ago

Jinous S.
2 years ago

Cross country ski, snowshoeing and dogsledding, all were very unique experiences.

Mary K.
2 years ago

It was special to get to be "in the elements" reconnecting with activities I once enjoyed (XC skiing and snowshoeing) and getting to do something brand new -- dog-sledding!

Carolyn W.
2 years ago

The dog sledding was fantastic but I really enjoyed the tips and tricks that Deb gave me on cross country skiing. She was a great teacher and motivator. Kaitlin was wonderful as well, very personable and they both wanted to make it a fantastic vacation for all of us.

Emily W.
2 years ago

Dog sledding, great group leaders

Linda B.
2 years ago

Teri L.
3 years ago

The trip exceeded my expectations and I contribute that to all the planning, organization and preparedness of the guides. There had to be accommodations made for the cold tempertures and the amount of time we were exposed to the elements. Having the most fun is knowing when it stops being fun! Having experienced guides who live in Minnesota and have guided this trip many times was the key to its success. I know they were making adjustments to best accommodate the conditions and their care and concern was much appreciated. They truly always not only had our safety foremost, but making sure everyone was achieving what they hoped to achieve on this trip. My personal goal was to try some new winter sports and I was most looking forward to the dog sledding. I developed a new perspective and appreciation of the outdoors and nature in the winter. The North Shore of Minnesota was absolutely beautiful. From the minute we pulled into the dog yard you could feel the energy and excitement of the dogs barking and howling to get to work. The opportunity to harness the dogs and place them on the gang-line reinforced our bond with the dogs. There is an awe in watching working dogs in action. From the high energy take-off and through the quiet wilderness and across frozen lakes there is no experience like it. Now, on another note, my musher. (a.k.a, my daughter), fell off the sled and I didnt notice. Not sure she will ever let me forget that one, so there is that.

Cynthia R.
3 years ago

Carole M.
3 years ago

Yes, indeed! It exceeded my expectations. Each day was unique and active and the area was gorgeous. I have never been to Minnesota and have certainly never been in such freezing temps! I don't think I will EVER be cold again. I picked dog sledding because it was such a different activity- something you can't just go do anywhere-- and it did not disappoint!

Anne C.
3 years ago

Had no idea of what to expect but the expectations were Superior (ha ha)

Linda U.
3 years ago

The order of activities was well thought out.

Marta B.
4 years ago

I enjoyed seeing the snow. It was great to see snow without it causing panic. I enjoyed the activities. It was a beautiful area. Being outdoors and active with other women is a bonding experience. Dog sledding was a great experience.

Sue H.
4 years ago

All activities were great as well as the location for the. But really enjoyed the dog sledding and being able to drive the sled.

Claudia P.
4 years ago

Dog sledding was spectacular. The scenery, dogs, weather, and guides were way beyond my expectations. It is an experience not to be missed!!! Dog sledding was not the reason I was interested in this trip, but it would be the reason I would strongly encourage others to pursue this experience.

Anne P.
4 years ago

Deb and Anne, and help from Julie, were amazing! Of course all the activities were amazing, the food was delicious, and the people on the trip were fun!

Sara D.
4 years ago

I really enjoyed meeting new people and trying activities I had never done or had not done in a while.

Cynthia F.
4 years ago

Emily L.
5 years ago

Dogsledding day was awesome! Just an amazing experience overall. Hard to describe. I really enjoyed that we had options whether to ski or snowshoe a couple of days and we got lucky and had fresh snow which was awesome for skiing. Anne and Deb made sure everyone was prepared for the day as far as staying warm and what to wear. Food was great as well, good variety and accommodating to peoples needs.

Loretta B.
5 years ago

The trip exceeded my expectations. Our guides were amazing. They were very helpful and friendly. The activities were fun and well chosen!

Penny S.
5 years ago

I chose this trip because I have had little exposure to winter activities except downhill skiing. I have never been in weather single digits and below. I was expecting the worst in terms of being cold but although it was cold, snow shoeing, x-country skiing warmed me up. The dogsledding was amazing - a bucket list experience for me. I really liked the comradery with the women on the trip and Ann and Deb were fabulous. I would do another trip with either one in a heartbeat. I would even do this trip again.

Karen B.
5 years ago

I loved all the activities that the trip included. The dog sledding was awesome, snow shoeing was fun and trying to cross country ski was a good challenge. The scenery was beautiful. The guides were awesome, and so were the other participants.

Brook B.
5 years ago

At the top of Oberg mountain, looking out over the hilly snow swept landscape and being able to see for miles was absolutely breathtaking. an image I will hold in my mind for many years.

Jan M.
5 years ago

Learning new skills; time spent with a young friend made on another trip; time spent with our group; time spent with two very special guides for whom MN is home; shared meals

Diane M.
6 years ago

The highlights are hard to choose as everything was wonderful. Of course, the dog sledding was the absolute pinnacle of the trip. It was incredible. Plus I loved all the snowshoeing opportunities, cross country skiing, and meeting new people. The guides were AWESOME! Anne and Deb are both kind, patient, knowledgeable and lots of fun! Wonderful time, all around.

Ellen J.
6 years ago

The dogsledding was awesome. So much more fun than I had imagined. the guides were great. We had a great mix of people on the trip - discovered I really like snowshoeing.

Lynda K.
6 years ago

Cross Country skiing

Marjorie B.
6 years ago

Really enjoyed the mix of activities. Equipment was excellent. Guides very organized. I liked the snowshoeing best.

Marjorie B.
6 years ago

Really enjoyed the mix of activities. Equipment was excellent. Guides very organized. I liked the snowshoeing best.

Patricia C.
6 years ago

Dog sledding!! And very nice people...

Abigail P.
7 years ago

Absolutely loved the dog sledding. I will be considering a longer dog sledding trek in the future.

Cindy N.
7 years ago

Trip was even better than I expected. Dogsledding was soooo much fun. Enjoyed that each hike we took was slightly different...the traills were in relatively close proximity to each other but were quite different. Liked the fact that we went to a place (Ted Tofte Lookout or Peak...not sure what it was called) that neither Anne nor Margi had been before. That hike was probably my favorite. Also enjoyed that we finally got to snowshoe (rather than use traction devices) on the final day. Snowshoeing was so peaceful. Wish the conditions had been better the second time that we went cross country skiing. Even so, it provided entertainment and funny stories.

Danielle A.
7 years ago

Dog sledding was a highlight, but we also did this trip with a group of new and old friends, so that made it special as well!!

Christie E.
7 years ago

It is hard to pick out a highlight, the entire trip was beyond my expectations. I was super impressed in the way the guides taught and spent time with everyone making sure everyone knew what to do and were able to do the activities they preferred.

Deborah M.
7 years ago

Every day was a treat - it's impossible to pick a favorite. Loved visiting snow again.

Karen R.
7 years ago

Dog sledding and interaction with the dogs.

Molly F.
7 years ago

Jacquelyn D.
7 years ago

the guides were lovely, very knowledgeable. they were so accommodating in every way. the participants were all wonderful. everyone was friendly and ready to assist the next person the day trips were very well planned and executed.

Patty B.
7 years ago

This trip far exceeded my expectations. Deb and Anne are awesome in every way, shape, and form. One of the highlights for me was having so much fun in all that snow. It has been a long time since I've even seen that much snow and even longer since I've gotten to play in it. How white, fluffy, soft, peaceful, and beautiful it is. A second highlight was learning how to XC ski. Anne and Deb are excellent teachers and I appreciated their patience very much. And, of course, the dogs. That was such a great experience.

Nannette C.
7 years ago

Kayaking was just amazing! Snowshoeing in the quiet pines - so serene and magical. I loved every part of the trip - everything was perfect! Of course the dog sledding - what an experience - the dogs are exactly how you describe them.

Kathy M.
7 years ago

Wonderful guides. Beautiful scenery. Enjoyed the condo. Loved the camaraderie of the group. Loved developing my winter outdoor skills. Had a wonderful time dog sledding.

Trish M.
7 years ago

dog sledding, scenery everywhere was beautiful

Sandi K.
7 years ago

It was a surprise trip organized by my wife. She and I have traveled with other outfitters before and AGC did a superb job with this trip. I think it's safe to say, everyone who went had a terrific time to the extent we've been heavily discussing our next AGC trip since returning home.

Cathy H.
7 years ago

Dog sledding was absolutely amazing. But I do have to say, Minnesota and Lake Superior was simply beautiful. I never would have though about going to Minnesota for a vacation. Since I have been back home, I have told everyone to visit.

Katherine M.
7 years ago

Everything was well planned and organized. It was nice to go on vacation and not have to make decisions like "what is for dinner?" The dogsledding was the highlight for me!

Joanne S.
7 years ago

I enjoyed all of the activities, but I think the things that I enjoyed most were the camaraderie of the group and the fabulous outdoors of Minnesota. I'll be frank when I say that going to Minnesota in the winter was no where near my bucket list, but I will return there sometime, for sure!

Kathy J.
7 years ago

The people, the guides, the organization of everything...great time management. The days were full but not overfilled. The equipment was in good shape, no issues.

Venetia S.
7 years ago

The guides provided plenty of flexibility with activities, yet kept us plenty busy!

Delonna F.
7 years ago

Everything about this trip was spot on. It allowed us to experience all of the activities that we have never tried. The location was awesome and the weather was amazing. Both Anne and Maureen where amazing. Very knowledgeable and just a joy to be around. It was hard to say goodbye.

  1. Where do we eat?

    The guides will be cooking breakfasts and some dinners at your lodging; other dinners will be at restaurants where you can order off the menu. At breakfast the guides will put out 'fixings' for lunch and you will pack your own lunch and snacks.
  2. What dietary preferences or restrictions can you accommodate on this trip?

    If we know well in advance, we can accommodate vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-sensitive diets. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten-free diet and we cannot provide a kitchen guaranteed to be free of cross-contamination. If you are vegan, we ask that you bring some additional protein bars; and if you are gluten-sensitive, please bring some gluten-free snacks. If you have severe allergies, Celiac disease, and/or other significant dietary restrictions, please call the office before you register.
  3. I will be coming by myself. Do I need to pay a single supplement?

    You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room the first night of the trip. Otherwise we will stay in condos where everyone has her own bedroom. Some bedrooms will have their own bathroom and others will share a bathroom (maximum 2), rooms will be assigned randomly.
  4. What if I don't have boots that are as warm as the packing list suggests?

    As long as you have boots that will work for snowshoeing, AGC will rent you boots for the dogsledding portion. We can also rent you a parka and wind pants for dogsledding and you can purchase extra hand & toe warmers there.
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