Minnesota's North Shore offers a variety of activities and accommodations. You can winter camp in a tent at a state park campground, or stay at a ritzy resort with stone fireplace, pool, hot tub and other amenities.Here are some ideas:Snow/trail conditionsThere's snow all over the state, but most places -- including the North Shore -- could use more. Check ahead. For the latest state park trail reports, see www.startribune.com/a1819. Cross-country skiers need a state ski trail pass, and snowmobilers need a trail sticker.Getting gearIf you want to snowshoe, cross-country ski or alpine ski but don't have the gear, you can rent it. Cross-country skis are available at a few places, including at Lutsen and the Gunflint Trail. Downhill gear is available at and near Lutsen Mountain. And three state parks offer snowshoe rentals: Grand Portage, Tettegouche and Split Rock. (You can snowshoe virtually anywhere, but officials say to stay off the groomed cross-country ski trails.)Tettegouche cabinsThe four rustic cabins at Tettegouche State Park are popular and usually reserved months in advance. For more information about them and other camping and lodging options at Tettegouche, see www.startribune.com/a3796. For lodging or camping reservations at Tettegouche or any state park, see www.stayatmnparks.com.Some helpful Web sites:-- exploreminnesota.com (operated by Minnesota Tourism, 888-868-7476 or 651-296-5029)-- The Lutsen-Tofte Information center is at americasnorthcoast.org, 888-616-6784-- For Lutsen Mountain, see lutsen.com or 218-663-7281(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)
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