Minnesota B&B Blog » Nordic Skiing

Candle Light Ski Lanesboro – Plan Your Winter Getaway

marvineggert — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:57:24 +0000

Lanesboro looks good in snow. We received a fresh covering in the past week that has transformed the Root River valley into a winter wonderland. The Root River Trail is groomed for cross country skiing for over 20 miles. There are also two great snowshoe trails nearby.

Lanesboro Decked out in Snow

Schedule your two night winter getaway at the Hillcrest Hide-Away B&B or Anna V’s Bed and Breakfast. We’re ready to help you with your winter getaway. Cedar Valley Resort rents cross country skis and snow shoes. Enjoy a horse drawn sleigh rides in the bluff tops. Savor a couples massage at the Prana Healing Center. Chef Brett from the Pastry Shoppe has his smoker going on weekends at the “Smoky River Barbeque”. It is a quaint joint near the river that has received rave reviews. You can check trail conditions at: http://www.lanesboro.com/lanesboro-rootrivertrail.php

In February Lanesboro begins to wake up from its winter hibernation.

Feb 4: 20th Annual Whalen Candle Light Ski - The Root River Trail is lit with candles for a mile with bonfires at both ends.

Feb 4: Flamenco, Pure and Strong at the St. Mane Theatre, with dancer Deborah Elias and guest singer Vicente Griego - feature raw, soul-baring solos, lustrous and spirited company dances and driving guitar rhythms.

Feb 4: Dinner on the Bluff Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center hosts dinner and and a presentation by Gene Merriam, of the Freshwater Society sharing the status of the protection, enhancement and restoration of our freshwater resources. Dinner menu include: strawberry-orange salad, roasted red pepper & tomato soup, trout, wild rice stuffing, roasted asparagus and cheesecake with assorted fruit topping.

Feb 10 7PM. Over the Back Fence - locals call this Lanesboro’s version of A Prairie Home Companion, An hour and a half of fun entertainment plus 30 minutes of pre-show live music.

Feb 10, 11, 14, 17, 18 The Old Village Hall features a special four course dinner with optional wine pairings to share with your special Valentine.

Feb 27, 28: Lanesboro Community Theatre presents: “Moon Over Buffalo”-upIt’s 1953 and a washed up acting duo, George & Charlotte Hay, are touring New York.. BUFFALO, New York. They just one shot at leading roles in a film by THE Frank Capra, and he’s coming to see today’s matinee! Everything goes wrong – with hilarious results! This plan is nothing less than a love letter to live theatre.

Lanesboro is a quiet destination for your winter getaway. Comfortable inns, great food, and beautiful scenery all await your visit.

Great Skiing along the Gunflint’s Banadad Trails

bct — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:47:42 +0000

You will find great skiing along the Gunflint. The entire 41 kilometer Banadad Trail system is now tracked and open for skiing. Located at the eastern end of the Banadad is Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B. The guesthouse also operate’s the Banadad Yurts and two ski-in cabins along the trail. According to skiers just returning from completing the entire Banadad, “the trails are in great shape!”

Great Spring Skiing on Gunflint Trail’s – Banadad

bct — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:06:41 +0000

Snow on Ground – 18 inches

Packed Trail base – 16 inches
New snow last 24 hours –6

New snow last 7 days – 8

Groomed and Tracked – Tracked Banadad East, Knapp, and Lace Lake- 9 Km.

Comments-Excellent skiing. With the fresh snow the trail is beautiful. Morning expect some icy conditions; warning conditions in PM. with softer track

For more information go to Boundary Country Trekking- or call 218-388-4487

Gunflint Trail’s Banadad Ski Trail Opened for Season

bct — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 12:47:41 +0000

A big holiday present to those waiting to ski Northeast Minnesota’s Banadad Ski Trails. On December 21, trail staff finally removed the last of the brush and down trees blocking the 41 Kilometer of the Banadad Ski Trail system. According to trail staff member, Jim Raml, “while we still have a bit more clean-up of some of the ice/snow cover brush over hanging the trail, at least you can get through. The Lace Lake, Tall Pines, Knopp and 4 kilometers of the east end of the Banadad Trails are tracked. Depending on snow condition the remainder of the Banadad should be traced by mid next week.”

Opening of the trail this year was delayed do to a wind storm in October that drop many large trees into the trail and a November rain followed by snow that bent over the side brush into the trail. It took trail crews considerable more time then usual to clear the down trees and side brush.

Most of the Banadad Trails are located within the BWCA and it is the BWCA longest track ski trail. The system is centrally located along the 200 kilometer Gunflint Nordic Trail System. Maintenance and grooming of the Banadad System is provided by Poplar Creek Guesthouse B&B .

St Croix Valley Bird Banding and Snowshoeing

Pam Thorsen — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 16:42:38 +0000

Bird banders at Carpenter St Croix Valley Nature Center in Hastings meet weekly to capture, record, band and release songbirds. Friday December 17th (8:30 AM to noon), the public is invited to watch. There is no admission fee but it is nice to call ahead (651-437-4359) to let them know you are coming. Donations of black oil sunflower seeds are especially welcomed this time of year. The tiny redbreasted nuthatch is a winter specialty at Carpenter’s and quite fun to watch as well as a variety of woodpeckers, the purple finch, white-winged crossbill and the American goldfinch and dark eyed junco. Trails and interpretive exhibits are open daily and a self guided trail map is avaialable. Guests of Classic Rosewood in Hastings and Afton House in Afton enjoy the trails even in the winter when snowshoe rental is available. Nearby is Afton State Park with snow shoe rental ($6) as well as groomed cross country trails.

Good Early Winter Snow on the Gunflint

bct — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:03:45 +0000

Get your skis out; winter has arrived on the Gunflint Trail. Over the last few days ten inches of additional snow have fallen on the Gunflint Trail. The groomers are out rolling and packing the ski trails in preparation to setting tracks. The Banadad and Central Gunflint Nordic Ski Trails now have fifteen or more inches of snow. Pincushion and the Upper Gunflint have a bit less. They expect that some tracks will be set by this weekend. Two b&b’s are located along the trails- Poplar Creek Guesthouse is on the Banadad and Pincushion is located on the Pincushion system. For current trail conditions go to ski trails.

Lanesboro Winter Escapades

marvineggert — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 23:58:07 +0000

Community Christmas Tree

Lanesboro invites you to their Winter Escapades

Downtown Shopping District

Lanesboro is ready for the Christmas holiday season! Join us for 3 weekends of fun during the month of December. See calendar_of_events for details.

All 3 weekends:
Shopping! Historic downtown district filled with specialty shops.
Theatre: Commonweal Theatre performances: “Little Women”
Dining: Three fine dining restaurants, some with special menus.
Lodging: Twelve Bed & Breakfasts to make your visit memorable.

Downtown Theatres

December 3-5:
Sat: free movie “Elf”
Sun: Christmas Inn Tour, Visit 15 historic inns decorated for Christmas and serving holiday delicacies
Tickets $20, Call 800 944 2670

December 10-12:
Sat: $1000 Medallion Hunt – advanced clues to lodging patrons.
Breakfast with Santa
Indoor/Outdoor Carnival
Torchlight Parade

Downtown Christmas Decorations

December 17-19:
Friday: Holiday sing along with Dan Chouinard and friends at the St. Mane Theatre.
Saturday: Christmas Tea
Free movie: “Muppets Christmas Carol”

There is so much more going on all three weekends. See schedule of events for more details. If we have snow, the state trail will be groomed for cross country skiing.

Take a break from the holiday rush to connect with friends and enjoy a leisurely weekend away.

Lanesboro: The Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota

MN Cross Country Ski by Candle Light

marvineggert — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:48:31 +0000

Lanesboro, the Bed and Breakfast Capital of Minnesota invites you to enjoy our winter wonderland in Southeast Minnesota. The Root River State trail is groomed with dual tracks and ready for cross country skiing.

: Candlelight Ski on the Root River Trail

Make plans now to join us February 5 – 7 for a “Flurry of Fun in February” highlighted by the 18th annual Whalen Candlelight Ski on Saturday evening. Start at the Whalen Town Hall at dusk, ski for a mile by candlelight and warm yourself by the bonfire. Then ski back to Whalen for another bonfire, homemade soups, sandwiches and hot beverages at the Whalen Town Hall. Skis can be rented at Cedar Valley Resort.

Lanesboro’s downtown district will be candlelit at dusk where restaurants, shops, Bed and Breakfasts and the Lanesboro Art Center await your visit.

Visit www.lanesboro.com and click on the Winter Weekend link to see a full calendar of events.

The beauty of Duluth and the Cutest Puppy Contest – a must see!

agthomsonhouse — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:01:13 +0000

For all of us that live in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or the northern region of the country, we know that winter not only feels long, but often is depending upon when that “last Spring storm” hits us. But what we all know from being able to live and work in this beautiful part of the country is that if you don’t embrace it, you will be miserable. That sentiment is one of our favorite things about Duluth and being able to live in, love, and be the caretakers of the A G Thomson House Bed and Breakfast. Year round, the city of Duluth offers so much to visitors and residents alike; from the extraordinary beauty of “our” Lake Superior to the shopping, dining, theaters, symphony, etc. There truly is no shortage of things to see and do up here; whether it’s dining at one of our many fine restaurants and cafes, or outside on one of our extraordinary nordic ski trails, or downhill on the slopes of Spirit Mountain! Not only are we Innkeepers and “concierge’s” for this great Lake Superior city, we are proud residents who love it here and are eager to share it with you!

And one of the great annual events during this beautiful season is coming up this weekend, January 29th. Events for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon begin this Friday, January 29th and runs to February 4th. One of the favorite and most popular events is the Cutest Puppy Contest on Saturday, January 30th. This is so adorable and a must see to help kick off the 27th Annual Event! So consider “embracing” what the beauty of this season, Duluth, and the A G Thomson House have to offer you on your next trip to Duluth! See you soon!!!

The ski and snowmobile trails are great here!

embracingpines — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:03:40 +0000

Enjoy our Winter Wonderland!

The ‘Great Christmas Snow of 2009′ was a gift for all snow lovers. If you like to cross country ski, or if you are more the kind that likes to have a motor on your sled, the ski and snowmobile trails are in great condition. When you come to the woods, there is a place to relax here at Embracing Pines Bed & Breakfast and a sauna waiting for you to warm after your day on the snow.