Tour of the North Shore Women’s Ski Trip
March 13 – 17, 2025
Desire to ski with other like-minded women? Join Endurance Adventures for the upcoming women’s only Tour of the North Shore cross-country ski trip! Skiers will explore trails from Two Harbors all the way to Grand Marais, MN. Enjoy your ski-in ski-out lodging at the Bluefin Bay Resort with views of lake Superior and fine dining. Recover with a massage at the Bluefin Bay Spa or stay back at your Lake Side Guest Room for a whirlpool soak. Trip leaders Kim Rudd and Jan Guenther will provide expert coaching for beginner to advanced skiers. The ski itinerary will visit eight stops at various cross-country ski trail systems along the North Shore including:
- Pincushion Mountain, Grand Marais, 25 km
- Sugarbush Trails, Lutsen Township, 65km
- Tettegouche State Park, Silver Bay, 24 km
- Cascade River ( Norpine Trails) 65 km
- Gooseberry Falls State Park, 20 miles
- Korkki Nordic, Duluth/Two Harbors, 11km
- Erkki Harju Ski Trails, Two Harbors, 11 km
- Northwoods Ski Trail, Silver Bay, 20 km
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Ski-in ski-out lodging at Bluefin Bay Resort.
- Skate and classic technique video review and top-notch coaching.
- Daily guided ski outings at various North Shore ski venues.
- Appetizers and drinks with your new ski friends while taking in the majestic views of Lake Superior.
- Relax with a glass of wine at the North Shore Winery located just ten minutes from Bluefin Bay. Free shuttles provided by Bluefin Bay.
- Fine dining at various restaurants along the North Shore including Bluefin Grille
- Optional activities include: ice skating, snow shoeing, crafts, yoga and polar plunge (only for the brave)!
ABILITY LEVELS
All participants are required to have some prior Nordic ski experience. Trip leaders will break into smaller groups geared towards participants’ fitness/ability levels for the daily ski adventures. The focus of the trip will be exploring the trails at a variety of ski venues along the North Shore. There will be 20-30 minutes of daily classic and skate ski technique instruction along with some video feedback in the evenings. Some of the trails are classic only technique so we suggest bringing both skate and classic ski equipment.
Women can choose to ski once a day or twice a day depending on their hearts’ desire! Participants can choose to ski from a variety of shorter (10km) or longer (20 – 30km) distances for each ski outing depending on their fitness and ability levels. Trip leaders will provide a variety of ski itinerary options for all ability levels so that everyone can enjoy the trails at their desired pace. For more information on ability levels for trips visit our FAQ page.
LODGING
Participants will stay at the Bluefin Bay Resort ski-in ski-out lodging with views of Lake Superior and fine dining. Recover with a massage at the Bluefin Bay Spa or stay back at your Lakeside Guest Room for a whirlpool soak. Advance reservations are required for services at Waves of Superior Spa. Your accommodations include two private bedrooms, each with a queen-sized bed, adjoined by a hallway. Master bedroom enjoys fantastic views of Lake Superior. Guest bedroom views towards the hillside. Features full bathroom with double whirlpool tub in each unit.
Bluefin Bay has several complimentary guest activities which include:
- Ice skating at the Bluefin Bay Ice Rink.
- S’mores by the outdoor bon-fire along the Lake Superior shoreline.
- Snowshoe with your new trip friends on the tranquil North Shore trails.
- Take in a complimentary Yoga session at Bluefin Bay before or after your ski session!
- Feeling crafty? Attend one of the painting or wood carving craft sessions!
- Optional Bluefin Bay Spa massage (price not included in trip fee).
TRAVEL SCHEDULE
Schedule subject to change depending on snow conditions at various ski venues.
Arrival: Arrive at Korkki Nordic on Thursday March 13 at 1 pm for the first ski along the North Shore. A carpool list will be provided for those coming from the Twin Cities area. We will continue up the North Shore to ski at Erkki Harju Ski Trails in Two Harbors. Participants can check into their lodging at Bluefin Bay starting at 4 p.m. Option to arrive later for those who cannot join us for the earlier ski sessions.
Departure: Following breakfast the group will depart from Bluefin Bay on March 17 around 10:00 a.m. Optional ski session at Gooseberry Falls State Park. The trip will finish with lunch at The Rustic Inn Cafe located down the shore in Two Harbors. Depart for home around 1 p.m.
TRIP DETAILS
Trip fee includes the following:
- Four-night stay at the Bluefin Bay Resort with single occupancy rooms.
- Four dinners at various restaurants along the North Shore.
- Daily ski waxing tips and assistance with kick waxing.
- Ski technique review and coaching tips with coach Kim Rudd.
- Trailside snacks and appetizers during and after some of the ski outings
Trip fee does NOT include the following:
- Transportation to and from the Bluefin Bay Lodge and daily ski venues.
- Breakfast and lunch meals.
- All participants need to purchase their own Minnesota Annual Ski Pass for $25. Purchase your ski pass at the following link here.
COST
- $1,400 Before December 1, 2025
- $1,500 After February 1, 2025
- $500 Non-refundable deposit to hold your spot! If the trip is cancelled you will get a full refund!
REGISTRATION
Registration Opens November 1, 2025 (space is limited to 12 women). Request a detailed itinerary and registration link at the link below:
MEET YOUR TRIP LEADERS
Kim Rudd
Endurance Adventures was founded by Kim Rudd. Her passion for Nordic skiing started while racing in high school and being exposed to the famous Minnesota Finlandia. She continued to ski race in college at Bemidji State University where she met her soulmate and adventure partner Craig Rudd. Kim has enjoyed racing for Team Rossignol for the past thirty years in various ski marathons around the Midwest and internationally.
She also enjoys mountain biking and canoe/SUP adventures along with coaching youth and adults at the Loppet Foundation. Kim is certified as a level 200 BICP coach along with Level 200 USSA Nordic coach. She is excited to share her passion for travel, cycling, and Nordic skiing with other like-minded people! The highlight of her week is coaching the LNR women’s ski group at Wirth park. She has enjoyed coaching and encouraging other female athletes in their endurance endeavors for the last thirty years.
Jan Guenther
Already a successful store owner and athlete in both Nordic skiing and triathlon, Jan moved to Minnesota and founded Gear West with her husband and former Swix and Fischer ski rep Brian Knutson, in 1991. Jan Guenther has raced outrigger canoes in California and Hawaii, done a three-day cross-country ski race in Greenland and completed six Ironman triathlons. She has trekked across Finland on skis just for the experience, and paddled in flat-water canoe races across the Midwest. Jan’s athletic background has focused primarily on racing triathlons, XC skiing, and also on organizing events for both sports. She enjoys coaching the women’s LNR Nordic training group along with many other ski clinics in the Twin Cities and Hayward, WI area.