Northern Lights

The best things about Minnesota are in Ely

(BPT) - Ever thought about what is the quintessential Minnesota getaway? We nominate Ely. What makes Minnesota Minnesota, our zeitgeist and spirit, who we are as a state — all of it's right here in Ely. We think Ely captures the best parts of Minnesota and is the quintessential Minnesota getaway…

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Ely lore and legend: Stories to tell around the fire

(BPT) - You're settled in front of the fire after a snowy, fun-filled day skiing, sledding or snowshoeing in the Northwoods. Beverage of your choice in hand, now's the time for some good, old-fashioned storytelling. Legends and lore are as much a part of the Ely region as the pines, the birches and…

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Ely Revised: Secret snowshoe spots in Ely

(BPT) - Yes, there is still snow on the ground in the early spring in Ely, and yes, you can still go snowshoeing. It's a great way to experience the great outdoors with very little prior skill required. If you can walk, you can snowshoe. Snowy spring in the Northwoods is this area's best-kept…

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Stars, the moon and utter silence: Night skiing in Ely

(BPT) - The quiet that comes with skiing through the woods on an Ely winter's night will restore your soul. Imagine it: an inky black sky filled with stars, the moon illuminating your trail, the utter serenity that comes from completely unplugging from the modern world (if only for a while), and no…

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If you're not the lead dog, the view is all the same: Mushing basics

(BPT) - Dashing through the snow, on an eight-dog open sled — there is absolutely nothing like the breathtaking joy of it. Whether you're riding with an experienced driver at the helm or driving a team of the happiest dogs you've ever seen, the sheer exhilaration of dog-sledding is one of the most…

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Incredible state parks near Ely

(BPT) - The first state park in Minnesota was established at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, at Lake Itasca. That was over 125 years ago, and since then, the state parks system has grown to include 75 parks and recreation areas. From Blue Mounds in the southwest to Grand Portage near the…

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Geocaching in Ely? A fun adventure to try on your next trip

(BPT) - Long before people were staring at their phones trying to find where the Pokémon were hiding in their neighborhood, people were scouring the world looking for waterproof boxes containing a simple logbook to sign. It’s called geocaching, and for the past two decades it has become something of…

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