This longtime Duluth ski resort has expanded steadily over the past 10 years to offer year-round recreation that includes two thrill rides and a variety of trails that draw mountain bikers, winter fat-tire bikers, hikers and cross-country skiers. If you have to pick between the rides, Timber Twister, a self-controlled alpine coaster with fantastic views of the St. Louis River Valley and distant Lake Superior edges out Timber Flyer, a quick downhill two-seater zip-line. If your family prefers a slower, longer ride, take a scenic chair lift on the 700-foot Spirit Mountain.

Other warm-weather options include a nine-hole mini-golf course and a nicely wooded 14-hole disc golf course.

For downhill skiers and snowboarders, Spirit Mountain offers one of the Midwest’s biggest terrain parks plus a 250-foot-long halfpipe and 22 ski runs (including some of Minnesota’s highest) and snow tubing runs. The park several hotels.