Great Outdoors

Play It Again Sports Sees Increase in Sales as Sports Practices Resume

The new and used sporting goods store reopened fully to the public a little over a month ago and has been busy helping athletes get the gear they need.

DULUTH, Minn. – Play It Again Sports is mostly back to business as usual. “We closed down on March 27th and then offered curbside delivery/outdoor service and then reopened fully to the public the week after,” general manager of Play It Again Sports Steven Holappa said. The store, located in Kenwood Village in Duluth, is a new and used sporting…

Disc Golf Growing in Popularity in the Northland

There's a 9-hole course on UMD's campus on the corner of College St. and Kirby Drive. It's free for anyone to play on. 

DULUTH, Minn. – Disc golf is growing across the country, including right here in the Northland. “It’s essentially just going on a walk with an added bonus of throwing a couple discs around,” Taylor Noyes said. Disc golf is essentially traditional golf, but with a Frisbee. “You start from a tee box, you throw the disc and you try to…

Ski Hut Sees Increase in Outdoor Equipment

Due to COVID-19 and the nicer weather, many outdoor stores like Ski Hut are struggling to keep up with the high demand of outdoor gear.

DULUTH, Minn. – As the short Duluth summer approaches, people are getting outside in any way they can. “We’ve got a great outdoor scene, there’s so many trails and forests and lakes and rivers and streams to go explore,” Ski Hut manager Dave Neustel said. “There’s a lot of cabin fever. Now that we have warmer conditions and we’re loosening…

Shooting Summer League Season Underway at Old Vermilion Trail

Summer league started on Tuesday, June 2 and goes for 12 weeks.

DULUTH, Minn. – Old Vermilion Trail normally opens the Tuesday after Memorial Day, and now that the hunting preserve is up and running, many people are heading outdoors to take their best shot with their summer league. “Just need to shoot one score a week for 12 weeks. Can be shot on any day of the week or you can…

Angler Management Charter Preparing to Take People Out on Lake Superior

Angler Management will start taking customers out for trips starting on June 1.

DULUTH, Minn. – Charter fishing in Minnesota is now allowed to operate under Governor Tim Walz “Stay Safe MN” order but under different guidelines. “We’re just ready to open up a little bit and get people outdoors again and enjoy our summer,” charter captain of Angler Management Charter Alex Cuzzo said. When Cuzzo found out he could reopen, he was…

Minnesota Campgrounds Frustrated Not Being Open for Memorial Day Weekend

Campgrounds in Minnesota were hoping to open for Memorial Day weekend, but they will not be able to open until at least June 1 under the new "Stay Safe" mandate.

DULUTH, Minn. – In the new “Stay Safe” mandate from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, private and public campgrounds in the state will remain closed to recreational campers until at least June 1. For now, only remote camping or long-term camping is allowed. With Memorial Day weekend just a few days away, many campground workers are frustrated that they are still…

Great Outdoors: Trout Fishing

With the nicer weather and many businesses shut down, many people are using their free time to fish on Knife River. 

DULUTH, Minn. – With school classes virtual and many businesses shut down, many people are using their free time to fish on Knife River. “I don’t want to sit at home on the couch all day, I want to get out and do stuff because I’m getting bored with schoolwork and just sitting and watching Netflix,” said Justin, who was…

Great Outdoors: Green House of Carlton

The Green House is still offering their planter classes this year, but having less people in class to still practice social distancing.

CARLTON, Minn. – With greenhouses being considered an essential business in Minnesota, the Green House of Carlton is giving people the chance to spring into gardening. “Gardening is better than therapy…and you get tomatoes,” owner of Green House of Carlton Jim Fahrenholz said. With warmer weather on its way, gardening season is getting started. “It’s just kind of a good…

Northland Bikers Get Ready to Ride

DULUTH, Minn.– Duluth’s Lakewalk has been a busy place lately with more and more bikers showing up to ride. As the weather warms up, a lot of people in the Northland are anxious to get out and ride their bikes. Biking can be a great way for people to get around, lower stress, and get some exercise. The Lakewalk has…

Great Outdoors: Practicing Social Distancing at Jay Cooke

While a majority of businesses are shut down to COVID-19, state parks staying open gives people the chance to get out of the house and enjoy the nicer weather.

ESKO, Minn. –  It’s been one week since a majority of businesses have shut down due to COVID-19, but many state parks have remained open, giving people a chance to get outside. “The sun is shining and social distancing is a little boring, so we thought we’d make it interesting,” Kate Spaulding, who was visiting Jay Cooke with her kids,…

Great Outdoors: Ski Hills Prepare for Winter

DULUTH, Minn. – Winter temps are here — or at least they were here — but skiers and snowboarders don’t have to worry. The slopes are expected to be back open in the coming days. Winter sports fans have been going stir crazy since last winter, waiting for their chance to tear up the slopes. Now, the ski hill at…

Great Outdoors: Grandma’s Runners Prepare for Marathon

Duluth Running Company busy with runners getting gear

DULUTH, Minn. – Grandma’s Marathon runners will make their way down the North Shore this Saturday. Thousands will run 26.2 miles from Two Harbors to Canal Park in Duluth. Local shops are making sure the runners have everything they need to finish Grandma’s Marathon. “The energy is palpable, you can feel it. Everybody is really excited,” said Dayeton Tolle, a…

Great Outdoors: Hawk Ridge Embraces Spring Migration

Great Outdoors: Spring has just begun, but the birds are breaking records.

DULUTH, Minn.- The sun is shining, the birds are singing and Hawk Ridge is watching and counting. “After having two weeks of mediocre weather in the beginning of March, they’re all backlogged and here they come,” Spring count interpreter John Richardson said. Spring bird migration is especially busy for 2019. So busy, they broke the record for the North American One…

Great Outdoors: UMD’s Allworth Planetarium

Take Stargazing to a Whole New Level

DULUTH, Minn.- If you’ve ever wanted to soar through the stars, the rocket ship is closer than you think. UMD’s Alworth Planetarium will boldly go with you, where no one has gone before. The sound of lightsabers clashing echo down the hall. No, this isn’t a Star Wars attraction at Disneyworld. This is the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium’s fan favorite…