How to get to the Wintergreen Dogsled Lodge
Travel to Wintergreen Lodge by Car
Although Ely prides itself with being at the end of road, it's surprisingly easy to get here, even in the winter! Most of our guests from the Midwest choose to drive here (4 hours from the Twin Cities, 10 hours from Chicago). Scenic 4-lane divided highways bring you nearly all the way here; the last 45 miles are improved 2 lane. The roads are very well maintained (2-wheel drive vehicles are fine). In fact in our 30 years, no Wintergreen guests have ever been delayed by winter road issues! Your "Trip Kit" will include an Ely-area road map to the lodges. Check in time is 4-6 pm but if you arrive later, no problem, just call ahead and we'll hold dinner for you. Check-out on your last morning is around 10 but we can provide an earlier breakfast if your travel plans require it.
Travel to Wintergreen Lodge by Air
Arriving here by air is easy as well. Delta Airlines (www.delta.com, 800-225-2525) flies Minneapolis/St.Paul (MSP) to DULUTH (8 jet flights/day) and HIBBING (3 turboprop flights/day) as well as Detroit to DULUTH (2 jets/day). United Airlines flies twice daily direct Chicago O'Hare to Duluth. Allegiant Air offers twice weekly direct flights from Las Vegas, Scottsdale & Orlando to Duluth. Afternoon arrival and departure times are best but we're happy to accommodate late night arrivals and early morning departures. Duluth is 2 hours by taxi shuttle service from Ely, Hibbing is just over 1 hour. Round-trip fares last winter from major east/west coast hubs were $200-250 to Minneapolis, $300-$350 to Duluth and $350-$400 to Hibbing (and $250 round-trip Chicago-Duluth).
From the Duluth(DLH) or Hibbing(HIB) airports, ground shuttle to/from your lodge is available from Ely Cab (Kevin 218-349-1383) or Yellow Cab (Rita 218-365-6006). Their flat rate for up to 4 passengers per cab is about $175 each way from Duluth (2hr) or about $125 from Hibbing (1.5hr) and can be split among other Wintergreen guests sharing the shuttle. Ely Cab also has large van & luggage trailer for large groups. Upon booking your flights, be sure to book your shuttle as well because Ely & Yellow Cab often get booked up. Other options (more expensive) are Hibbing Taxi (218-263-5065) and Allied Taxi Duluth (218-722-3311). Car rental from Duluth (all brands) and Hibbing (ACAR 218-348-7446) is an option.
Travel to Wintergreen Lodge by Car and Air
If you don't mind driving (and it's a pleasant, scenic 4-hour drive largely on 4-lane divided highway), flying to Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and renting a car may be the best option. As of 10/1/12, airfare from east or west coast to MSP plus car rental totals about $400 each for 2 people. And, if you depart from the east or west coast 7-9am, you'll arrive in Ely 4-6pm. That's only slightly later than our guests on the DLH or HIB connecting flights who arrive in Ely by ground shuttle taxi 3-4 pm. From MSP airport, car rentals run about $40/day (intermediate size, 2-wheel drive is fine). This option is appealing for those who choose to extend their stay in Minnesota before or after their Wintergreen trip. Various Ely lodges offer discounts for Wintergreen guests and we're happy to recommend discount lodging options for a scenic overnight stay in Duluth or along Minnesota's beautiful North Shore Highway on Lake Superior.
Want to avoid driving AND connecting flights?
www.SkykineShuttle.com (888-354-2677) offers 6 van trips/day MSP-Duluth ($69 round-trip) where you can connect with an Ely or Yellow cab shuttle to Ely. Or if you have a group of 3 or more, we may be able to shuttle you MSP-Ely-return with the Wintergreen van (select dates only, $150/person).