Ely , Minnesota is a town of approximately 3,700 that sits four hours north of the Twin Cities, on the northernmost edge of an area called the “Iron Range.” Originally built around the industries of logging and mining, Ely has evolved into a well-known tourist destination.

Known as the “Gateway to the Boundary Waters,” the town is home to a variety of canoeing, fishing, and dogsledding outfitters. Summer in Ely brings an influx of paddlers and nature enthusiasts eager to explore the miles of unspoiled wilderness stretching to the Canadian border and beyond. The Boundary Waters is one of the nation's most beloved nature preserves; people come from all over to test their survival skills by paddling and portaging canoes, to catch a glimpse of moose or Great Blue Heron, and to hear the loon's strange calls in the summer twilight. There are also a lot of summer camps in the area; for some children, the week or two they spend in the Boundary Waters will be the only wilderness they will see throughout childhood. In the winter months, canoes give way to dogsleds strapped to trucks as local mushers take to the winding trails over frozen lakes.

Winter is a favorite season in Ely. The cold dry temperatures make outdoor activity quite pleasant (when dressed appropriately!). Ice houses dot the local lakes, snow mobile tracks parallel the county roads, skiers train for local races, and the ice rink fills for pick-up hockey. The Ely Winter Festival is an annual highlight, drawing snow carvers from around the world, and visitors from far and wide. It has been an Ely tradition since 1984 when it began as a cross-country ski race from Ely to the neighboring town of Tower. Since then, it has evolved to include dogsled rides, snow carving, an annual art walk, and a huge calendar of events held throughout the Ely area. Here’s what this year’s Ely Winter Festival had to say for itself:

“Welcome to Winter!

Welcome to a land where the sky is so blue and the sun shines so bright that you forget that the temperature has descended past freezing long ago. Where snow is carved into beautiful shapes and where the town itself becomes an art gallery.
Welcome to the Ely Winter Festival!

You might remember it as the Voyageur Winter Festival. But Ely is so much more than its French history. We share our land and our economy with the Native brothers and sisters who lived here first. We are miners and children of miners, resorters, artists, and lovers of the natural area we inhabit. And that includes winter: snow, ice, and all that comes with it!

Most of all, we love to PARTY! And that's what the Winter Festival is, a big party. Won't you come and join us?”

A highlight of the festival in recent years has been the annual Mukluk Ball . It’s the local dance event of the year – an opportunity for the Ely residents to get dressed up, strut their stuff, and listen to some good music. This year’s Ball hosted a send-off party for Will Steger and his 2007 Baffin Island Expedition Team. Will brought his entire crew up on stage and introduced them to the cheering, mukluk-wearing crowd. (Yes, they really do dance in those mukluks!)

Along with its love of wilderness, the Ely community has a thriving arts scene. Several well-known artists live and display their work in Ely, including National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg and Minnesota photographer Deb Sussex . Brandenburg’s photo essay Chased by the Light, a conceptual work in which he limited himself to one photo per day for ninety days, is a beautiful exploration of the changing seasons and the living landscape. Local art is featured in over 50 businesses in downtown Ely during the annual Ely Art Walk , February 1-11.