Why So Many Groups Make Ely Their Annual Winter Tradition
Winter Trips Don’t Happen by Accident — They Become Tradition
There’s always that one weekend every winter.
The one people don’t cancel.
Not for the cold. Not for the snow. Not for the long drive.
It’s the group trip — the same crew, same cabin, same laughter, same icy beers lined up in the snowbank.
And for a surprising number of those groups?
That tradition happens in Ely, Minnesota.
Because Ely isn’t just “a place to do winter things.”
It’s one of the few towns left where winter still feels real.
Not staged. Not polished. Not Instagram-perfect.
Just… deep snow, clear stars, woodsmoke, and the kind of cold that makes you feel awake.
Photo: Ely Area Tourism Bureau — Snowmobiling in Ely
Why Winter in Minnesota Belong in Ely
Some winter towns feel like they’re trying too hard.
Ely doesn’t.
Winter in Ely isn’t a “season.”
It’s an identity.
Snow builds earlier. It stays deeper. It doesn’t melt every other week. The trails stay rideable. The lakes freeze solid and stay that way.
And because Ely is tucked up near the Boundary Waters, there’s a kind of quiet here that you don’t find in more tourist-heavy winter destinations.
You can hear your own boots crunching.
You can see your own breath hanging in the air.
And if you're traveling with a group?
That kind of winter makes memories stick.
The Real Reason Groups Come Back: It’s Easy to Be Together Here
Winter group trips usually fall apart for predictable reasons:
Not enough space
People get bored
The logistics are exhausting
Someone gets cranky (it’s always someone)
Ely solves most of that without trying.
Because here, the winter activities aren’t something you schedule.
They’re something you just… do.
Snowmobiling? It’s right there.
Ice fishing? Same.
A little day trip? A quick drive.
And at the end of the day, everyone ends up back inside, warm, tired, hungry, and happy.
That loop — adventure, warmth, food, laughter — is the backbone of tradition.
Snowmobiling: The “Main Event” for a Lot of Groups
For many annual winter groups, snowmobiling is the reason they started coming in the first place.
Ely is a hub for it.
The area connects into major groomed trail corridors (including the Taconite State Trail) and has plenty of on-trail stops for fuel, food, and warm-up breaks.
And just as important: Minnesota’s groomed snowmobile system is largely maintained by local clubs and volunteers through the state’s Grant-in-Aid program, which is why it can feel so reliable when conditions cooperate.
If your group rides, Ely makes it simple.
If your group doesn’t ride, Ely still works — because there’s enough else to do that nobody feels left out.
The Cabin Factor: Where Traditions Actually Form
Let’s be honest:
You remember the rides.
You remember the fish.
You remember the cold.
But you really remember the cabin.
Because that’s where the stories happen.
At Timber Trail Lodge, groups keep coming back because the setup is built for them:
Cabins with multiple bedrooms
Full kitchens (so you’re not eating out every meal)
Space to spread out without feeling isolated
Fire rings, saunas, and places to gather
And when it’s twenty below?
That matters.
A group trip needs a place that feels like a basecamp — not just a roof.
Photo: Timber Trail Lodge & Resort — Winter at Timber Trail Lodge
What Groups Love About Timber Trail Lodge in Winter
It’s not fancy.
It’s not trying to be.
It’s comfortable. It’s warm. It’s easy.
It’s the kind of place where:
someone’s always making coffee
boots pile up by the door
the sauna becomes the evening plan
and nobody cares what time it is
Groups also love that Timber Trail Lodge sits on Farm Lake — which means you’re close to Ely, but still tucked away.
You get access without the noise.
Ice Fishing: Not Just for “Fishing Guys”
A funny thing happens with winter groups:
Someone always says, “I’ve never tried ice fishing.”
And then they do.
And then they’re the one posting the photo of their first fish like they just won a trophy.
Ice fishing works for groups because it’s social.
You’re not hiking ten miles.
You’re sitting together — talking, laughing, watching the hole.
Some people fish. Some people snack. Some people just sit in the silence.
And it still counts as doing something.
The “Extra Stuff” That Makes It Feel Like a Trip (Not Just a Weekend)
Tradition depends on texture.
Not just activities — but the little things that make the weekend feel different from normal life.
In Ely, that might mean:
a stop at a local café before riding
a night walk under stars you don’t see at home
woodsmoke drifting across the lake
a frozen shoreline you can wander without a plan
It’s also why Ely feels safe for groups: there’s enough to do, but not so much pressure to “make the most of it” every second.
You can breathe here.
Planning a Winter Group Trip? Here’s What Helps
If your group is thinking about making Ely your annual thing, here’s what makes it go smoother:
1. Pick a date early
Winter calendars fill fast — especially for groups.
2. Decide your “anchor activity”
Snowmobiling weekend? Ice fishing weekend? “Cabin and sauna” weekend?
Pick the main thing, then let the rest happen naturally.
3. Pack like a Minnesotan
Not like someone who hopes winter will be mild.
4. Build in downtime
Some of the best parts of the trip won’t be scheduled.
A Note on Weather (Because Someone Always Asks)
Yes, it can be brutally cold.
That’s the point.
But Ely winter isn’t just cold — it’s steady.
You’re not dealing with constant thaw/freeze cycles the way southern Minnesota sometimes does.
And that stability is what makes the trails, lakes, and snowpack feel more dependable when winter is behaving like winter.
Winter Traditions Are Earned, Not Given
If your group has been doing the same trip for years, you know this already:
Tradition takes effort.
It takes showing up when it’s inconvenient.
It takes committing when everyone’s tired.
But once it’s established?
It becomes the weekend everyone talks about all year.
And if your group is looking for a place to build that kind of winter tradition?
Ely makes it easy.
Timber Trail Lodge makes it comfortable.
And together, they create the kind of winter rhythm that people keep coming back for.
Want to Start Your Own Winter Tradition?
If you’re thinking about making Ely your annual winter weekend, Timber Trail Lodge is a solid place to start.
Cabins are set up for groups, winter experiences are close, and the vibe is exactly what you want after a long day outside.
You can check availability and options here:
👉 Check availability
FAQs
What’s the coldest month in Minnesota?
For much of Minnesota, January is typically the coldest month, with February close behind. (For example, Twin Cities climate normals show January as the lowest mean temperature month.)
Is Minnesota the coldest state in the U.S.?
Alaska is the coldest overall. Minnesota is one of the coldest states in the Lower 48, especially in the northern regions.
When does it usually start snowing in Ely?
You can see snow as early as October, but consistent snowpack typically builds through November and December.
What are the best winter activities for groups in Ely?
Snowmobiling, ice fishing, sauna + polar plunge, skiing/snowshoeing, and just hanging out in a cabin with good food.
What’s the snowiest place in Minnesota?
Snow totals vary year to year, but the **Lake Superior snow
