Boundary Waters Winter Adventure
Price
Activity Level
Between 2-3
We rate trips on a scale from 1 (leisurely) to 5 (avid), with a range of activity levels in between.
Overview
Enjoy the splendor of winter in the North Woods while sampling the activities it has to offer. Dogsled across frozen lakes. Cross-country ski through snow-covered pine boughs. Snowshoe under the stars. Enjoy the benefits of a wood-fired Finnish sauna, followed by a cold plunge in the lake. Relax at night by a cozy fire in the lodge, recounting the day’s adventures.
Included/Excluded
- Skilled Outdoor Leader guides
- Delicious, healthy meals and snacks
- Double-occupancy or group rooms by gender or request
- Limited single-occupancy rooms available for extra cost
- Equipment for all outdoor activities
- Park permits & fees
- Transportation to & from trip activities
- BWCAW permits & fees
- Transportation to and from trip start and end location (including airfare)
- Optional trip insurance
- On-your-own activities, food, and shopping
Location Map
Day 1 – Arrive at Camp Menogyn and participate in dogsledding orientation.
The trip starts in the late afternoon at Camp Menogyn near Bearskin Lake in the BWCAW. You will hike about a mile across the frozen lake to access the lodge. Upon arrival, settle into your accommodations before enjoying dinner. Afterwards gather around the wood burning stove for introductions to dogsledding and learning how to dress for the weather.
Day 2 – Dogsled under the towering pines through backcountry trails before an afternoon hike to Caribou Rock.
After breakfast and great coffee you will break into groups for half or full day activities. Options include dogsledding, hiking to Caribou Rock, snowshoeing down the Back Trail, cross-country skiing to Rose Falls, or trying your luck ice fishing (don’t forget your license). Enjoy dinner with the group before experiencing the stillness of a North Woods winter evening. You’ll have the option to sleep under the stars in a quinzhee tonight!
Day 3 – Enjoy a morning snowshoe adventure before relaxing in the lakeside sauna.
If interested, rise early to assist the mushers with feeding and caring for the dogs. Try a new adventure or develop a recently learned skill as you decide between half or full day activities. A relaxing afternoon by the lodge’s wood burning stove is always an option too! Enjoy one last dinner and then brave the sauna and polar-plunge in the lake, if you dare.
Day 4 – Enjoy one last outing and then say farewell to your trip mates.
Early risers can enjoy one last ski or snowshoe outing before breakfast. After, pack and transfer personal gear back across the lake for the trip home. The trip officially ends in the late morning before lunch. If you use Wilderness Inquiries van transportation, you can expect to arrive back in Minneapolis by evening.
Our Approach to Accessibility
Wilderness Inquiry takes a creative and multifaceted approach to accessibility on trips and programs. Understandably, an ADA-level accessibility may not always be available in wilderness and even international settings. That is why we utilize Wilderness Inquiry’s Universal Program Participation Model (UPPM) to guide our approach to accessibility by leveraging key resources such as adaptive equipment, support personnel, itinerary and activity choices, and weighing in unique environmental factors to create experiences that can be accessible to many individuals. While our trips may not follow a one-size-fits-all approach, our team does its best to ensure a variety of travel and program options that offer differing levels of accessibility for a variety of needs and abilities. If you have questions about your ability to participate on a Wilderness Inquiry trip or program, our team is always willing to explore options and solutions that suit a traveler’s interest and ability – don’t hesitate to reach out!
What is included in the trip price?
Trip fees cover all of your needs while you are traveling with us — including equipment, food, guides, permits, etc. You are responsible for bringing personal clothing and hygiene supplies. Gear such as sleeping bags, pads, and cots can be checked out during the booking process for no additional fee.
Could the itinerary change after I sign up?
Your trip is dependent on weather, availability, and potential other unforeseen circumstances. All itineraries online are “sample” itineraries that are subject to change. Please check your confirmation packet for the most up-to-date information.
There are many different route choices available within our trip locations for hiking and paddling. The routes will be chosen by Wilderness Inquiry Outdoor Leaders based on availability and the strength of the group.
What type of food will I eat during the trip?
Typical menus for overnight camping trips include pesto pasta, burritos, stir-fry, avocado caprese wraps, brats and burgers, apple cobbler, and plenty of snacks. The exact menus vary trip-by-trip. On longer wilderness expeditions, we bring more nonperishable foods that keep well for days without refrigeration. On international trips, we tend to eat the local cuisine. We can accommodate most dietary restrictions and preferences — please note this information on your registration form.
I or a member of my family has a disability. Can I/they still participate?
We strive to put accessibility at the forefront of our programs so that individuals of all abilities, including people with disabilities, can successfully participate in our trips. If you or a member of your family has a disability, you will have an opportunity to confidentially share more during the registration process for your trip. A member of our team will connect with you further over the phone to make sure we are able to provide the appropriate support or accommodations you need to have a safe and rewarding experience on your trip.
Do you offer scholarships or financial aid?
Yes! We believe the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors should be available to everyone. To keep our programs as financially accessible as possible, each year we raise funds to support need-based scholarships. Certain restrictions apply. Financial aid is available for a select number of trips and is typically not available for international trips. Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more and apply.
What is your cancellation policy?
Trip deposits are due at the time of booking and are generally non-refundable.Â
- Within five weeks prior to trip departure (0-34 days):
- You are responsible for 100% of trip fees. No refunds issued.
- Five to ten weeks prior to trip departure (35-70 days):
- We will refund up to 50% of your trip fee, minus your deposit.
- Ten weeks or more prior to trip departure (71+ days):
- We will issue a refund of all trip fees paid, minus your deposit.
- The deposit may be credited to a future trip.
To view our full cancellation policy, please click here.
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