The Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club was organized in 1960 and became the first club of its kind in the USA. The Ely Igloos were also one of the founding members of the International Snowmobile Association (ISA), which later became known as today’s Minnesota United Snowmobile Association (MnUSA). Members of the club have developed trails in the Ely area, and each year in preparation for the upcoming snowmobile season, numerous club members volunteer their time to clear the trails of trees and branches. An important mission of the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club has been, from the very beginning, training of young snowmobile riders with a Snowmobile Safety Class taught each year. These classes teach boys and girls of at least 11 years of age about the proper etiquette of snowmobiling and the rules of the trail. In recent years, the Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club has taken on the task of grooming the Ely area trails. The club receives funding from the state to maintain and groom the grant-in-aid Tomahawk Trail. Other local trails like the Bianchi Trail (off the Taconite Trail), the Ely/Winton Railroad Grade, and the 13 Corners Trail are also groomed by our club. In addition, our club has taken on the task of staking and grooming numerous lake trails including Shagawa Lake/Fall Lake Trail, Burntside Lake Trail, Bass Lake Trail, White Iron Lake/Birch Lakes Trail, Little Long Lake Trail, Fall Lake/Cedar Lake Trail, Grassy Lake Trails and the Mud Lake Trail to Lake Vermilion.

The Wabbit is good place to grab an adult beverage after your trip into the Boundary Waters or to simply get off the beaten path. The bar is known for their friendly bar tenders, laid back atmosphere, 50 cent pool, and plenty of choices on the drink menu.

We’re a cozy little yarn shop, just off the beaten path, filled with natural fiber yarns. Our shop has been here since 1978 and has a very interesting history. Visit our website for class schedules, retreats, kits, and gift cards. Sisu (si’-soo) : A unique Finnish term meaning the ability to persevere through difficult times.

Stone Soup is a full service wedding and event planning company specializing in designing and coordinating your fairy tale wedding in the woods. From intimate gatherings to the most lavish of events, Stone Soup can customize any package to fit your needs and budget. Stone Soup also offers many party items for rent such as popcorn poppers, cotton candy machines, tents, large movie screens, projectors and much more.

On any of a number of Ely area lakes, we pursue a variety of species, both winter and summer. Lake trout, trophy pike, bass, walleyes and panfish are all on the menu. We fish out in the open in winter, as weather allows, but also fish out of heated portable hub shelters for client comfort, and in cold weather those shelters are set up in advance, so there’s no lingering outside in harsh temperatures. Lake trout, particularly in winter, are the most aggressive fish we’ve ever pursued through the ice. They will fly up and down the whole water column in pursuit of lures, and are strong and relentless fighters. There are crappies over 14″, pike over 40″ (with the largest so far 46.5″), and walleyes to 10 lbs. Summer rates are $350/full day and $250/half day for up to two anglers, with $50 for each additional angler. Winter rates are the same, except, because the days are short, only full day trips are offered. In all seasons, I provide all gear, so all clients need to bring is licenses and whatever they want to eat, drink and wear. Take advantage of 40 years of fishing experience and 25 years of teaching experience. Come on up and have the trip of a lifetime on some of the most beautiful lakes in the boreal forest. categories