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Because life's too short to stay home …
Favorites for Winter
Living in a lighthouse
Around the Great Lakes, volunteers keep the light on for tourists.
Walking on ice
Even when trails are slippery, you can grip the moment with a good pair of crampons.
Where eagles land
Near winter gathering spots, towns capitalize on the birds' popularity by throwing festivals.
Fun in the fast lane
Need speed? Here's where to ski or snowboard in the Upper Midwest.
The best in snow tubing
With their multiple lanes, conveyor lifts and snow-making, these aren't your grandma's hills.
Owls, owls, everywhere
Influxes of magnificent birds have birders hurrying up north.
Snow heaven on the Gunflint Trail
On the edge of the Boundary Waters, Nordic skiers find snow that sparkles into April.
Ski the UP
At snow-blessed Michigan resorts, skiers and boarders get the drift.
Serious reservations
Here's a guide to the lodgings, campsites and permits you should nail down early.
In the Upper Midwest, travel can be competitive.
Many festivals are so big and so fun that everyone wants to go. If you do, too, you'll have to act fast to stay ahead of the crowds.
And sometimes, you also need to know when not to visit a certain area, so you can avoid sold-out hotels or sky-high rates.
Staying warm in winter
If you know what to wear, getting through winter is a breeze.
In this chilly region, smart men are on to Victoria's Secret.
Shopping at the mall, they breeze right by the silk nighties, the gold bracelets, the dainty perfumes. Because what Victoria secretly wants for Christmas are merino-wool undies, a goose-down parka and moosehide mukluks.
When I was a newcomer to Minnesota, my boyfriend was a smart man. Our first Christmas, he gave me a bulky down parka that made me look like the Michelin man.
Cross-country skiing 101
There's no better way to enjoy the winter scenery, and anyone can do it.
The snow is back — a lot of it.
You can whine about it and hide indoors, or you can go out and have fun. Ever thought about cross-country skiing? That's fun.
If you haven't tried the sport, here's how to get started.
Ski, snowshoe or hike by candlelight
In the winter, follow twinkling lights through snowy forests in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois.
If you do only one thing outdoors in winter, do it by candlelight.
Nothing is more magical than a forest full of flickering lights. I got hooked when I skied in Minnesota's Mille Lacs Kathio State Park.
The coolest days of winter
Ditch the indoors for one of these great festivals in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois.
There's no use hiding from winter — it lasts too long, and eventually, that living room gets old.
Many of the tourist spots we love to visit in summer work hard to lure us back when it's cold, offering festivals with lots of fun in the snow, plus bonfires and chili feeds to warm us up afterward.
If you've always wanted to see the Winter Olympics, see the next best thing at ski-jumping competitions in Westby, Wis., or Iron Mountain, Mich.
Best of winter
Here are dozens of ways to savor the chilly season.
There's a reason why winter is the favorite season of many photographers — it's gorgeous.
You've seen this region's icicle-draped sea caves, volcanic Great Lakes waves and dancing northern lights on social media. Now get out there and enjoy the scenery yourselves.
Snowshoe up frozen river canyons, barrel through the woods behind a team of huskies and go to bock festivals at breweries. Learn to ice fish, track wolves and look for bald eagles.