Lake Superior's North Shore is a cross country skier's paradise.
Between Duluth and Grand Marais there are at least 700 kilometers of groomed trails. Until now, learning about - and locating - the 35 trail systems in the region was next to impossible.
There and Back Books, publishers of regional guidebooks, announces the publication of "Skiing the North Shore: A Guide to Cross Country Trails in Minnesota's Spectacular Lake Superior Region," by Andrew Slade.
The 160-page guidebook features 35 fabulous groomed trail systems from Duluth-Superior north to Grand Marais and the Gunflint Trail.
The book describes all 700 kilometers of ski trails - from short loops in Duluth city parks to the massive trail networks of the North Shore Mountains to Minnesota's beloved state parks, including Jay Cooke State Park.
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For each trail system, the book provides driving directions to trailheads, difficulty ratings, fee and pass requirements, and trailside lodging options. Author Slade also gives his top picks for best trail grooming, best wildlife viewing, even best trail views of Lake Superior. The book includes 44 detailed trail maps plus nearly 30 sidebars to give the reader fun facts on the natural and human history of the North Shore.
"We are fortunate, here on the North Shore, to have an amazing variety of cross country trails. That's why this book is just what we need," writes Duluth News Tribune columnist Sam Cook in the book's foreword.
"This is the skier's ultimate resource," said author Andrew Slade. "Information about groomed ski trails, from Jay Cooke State Park to the Gunflint Trail, is all in one place. I set out to ski the entire shore one winter and ended up writing a guidebook, because I wanted a book like this for myself."
Slade is the original editor of "Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail" and author of "White Woods, Quiet Trails." He has been exploring the North Shore of Lake Superior his entire life, both personally and professionally, most recently as executive director of Sugarloaf, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring the preservation and restoration of the North Shore.
"Skiing the North Shore" sells for $15.95 and is available in bookstores, gift shops and at outfitters. It is also available from distributor Adventure Publications at 800-678-7006.
