News From The Gunflint Trail

Celebrate leap year weekend on the Gunflint Trail with the annual
Winter Tracks festival February 28 - March 2, 2008.

Now in its fourth year, Winter Tracks continues to grow. Over 50
events are scheduled during this year's festival. Gunflint Trail
resorts go all out to show visitors everything a northwoods winter
has to offer.

"Last year, folks had a blast," says coordinator Barb Bottger, "and
Winter Tracks is bigger and better this year."

Hosted by member lodges of the Gunflint Trail Association, Winter
Tracks combines indoor and outdoor activities from art exhibits to an
ice fishing contest. There is no admission fee for the festival, but
event participants register at a resort when they arrive. Drawing
visitors from near and far, Winter Tracks presents traditional winter
activities and fun events with a community focus.

"We want people to be out and about, enjoying winter," says Barb
Gecas of Heston's Lodge. "Winter Tracks has something for everyone."

Kids have lots to do, including participating in a Mini-Winter
Olympics at Gunflint Pines Resort. This fun competition includes
sledding, snowshoeing, and other events. Kids also enjoy the snow
fort and quinzee tour of frozen structures built at various resorts.
Their Winter Tracks "passport" is stamped at each lodge with an
animal track or animal image. While at the resorts, they can look for
the items listed in the kids scavenger hunt.

A range of adventurous outdoor activities are scheduled. Ski at no
charge, on the Gunflint Nordic Trail System on Friday and Saturday.
Lighted, nighttime skiing is available on trails originating from
Golden Eagle, Gunflint Pines, and Bearskin lodges. Learn about dog
sledding, skijoring, winter camping, ice skating, snowmobiling, and
ice fishing during participatory demonstrations at various
businesses. The annual Trout Derby is held at Gunflint Lake on
Sunday. Anglers who are quick with a corkscrew can compete in the
team ice auger drilling contest at Gunflint Lodge. Slippery sweepers
can join a pick-up broomball game at Tuscarora Lodge on Saturday.

Folks who want to rev it up can tour various resorts on a snowmobile
poker run. During Saturday night's festival banquet, the best poker
hand wins! On Saturday morning, the Cook County Ridge Riders
snowmobile club sponsors a radar run at Windigo Lodge. Sunday
morning, newcomers to snowmobiling can take an introductory tour at
Gunflint Pines Resort.

"Winter Tracks occurs during the prime snowmobiling season," says
Luana Brandt of Nor'wester Lodge. "Snowmobilers know they can come to
the Gunflint Trail when they can't find snow anywhere else."

Looking to release your inner artist? Snow blocks are available at
several locations for folks to try their hand at ice sculpting. If
you prefer more comfortable creativity, join fireside knitting at
Heston's Lodge and northwoods crafts at Gunflint Lodge. Find exhibits
by area artists at Gunflint Trail lodges.

Wherever you go, there's plenty to eat. Gunflint Trail lodges are
famous for excellent cuisine and Winter Tracks visitors will get a
taste of it. On the Saturday afternoon volks-ski along the Banadad
Trail, stop at the Tall Pines Yurt for a Mongolian Firepot buffet.
Trail Center, Gunflint Pines, and Windigo Lodge are offering food
specials throughout the festival. At Heston's Lodge, sample pizza
baked in a wood-fired brick oven.

The weekend's nighttime festivities begin Friday at Trail Center with
a 5 p.m. live broadcast of the popular Roadhouse program by local
WTIP Radio, followed by the Small Change trivia show. Musical
entertainers for the evening are local musicians Bump and Chris. On
Saturday evening, the Snow Boot Banquet and Dance rocks Gunflint
Lodge, featuring the popular local band Oversized Load. If you've
never danced in winter boots, here's your chance.

If you are ready for Winter Tracks and snowy cheer, make tracks for
the Gunflint Trail March 28-February 2. For more Winter Tracks
information and a schedule of activities, visit
<http://www.wintertracks.com/>www.wintertracks.com or call (1-800) 338-6932.

For general Gunflint Trail information, including snow and trail
reports, go to: http://www.gunflint-trail.com/

For additional press release information and pdf formatting of this
press release, go to:
http://www.gunflint-trail.com/pressreleases.html, select "login
area", use your email address and the password "Gunflint" to enter the site.


[Back to Press Releases Main]