Your EdVenture includes:
• Visiting the Minnesota Zoo’s wolves and meeting their care staff.
• Participating in educational and entertaining programs at the International Wolf Center (IWC).
• Howling to the local wild wolf packs.
• Exploring and shopping in downtown Ely during free time.
• Exploring the Ely Winter Festival activities during free time.
• Snowshoeing or hiking through the snowy woods to a frozen waterfall.
• Dogsledding with Wintergreen
--- Wintergreen is owned and operated by Paul and Susan Schurke, and their son Peter.
--- Paul was a member of the first confirmed team to reach the North Pole without re-supply.
--- Expedia rated dogsledding with Wintergreen as one of the top “unexpected adventures you need to experience” in the country.
• Enjoying your stay at the Grand Ely Lodge Resort
--- Share a private room with your group or a roommate can be assigned for you.
--- Single supplements available for an additional fee.
• Dining at the best restaurants in Ely
--- Meals provided – Friday: L, D; Saturday: B, L, D; Sunday: B, L.
Notes:
• Transportation to and from Ely is NOT included.
--- If transportation is an issue or concern, email [email protected] to discuss options.
--- We highly suggest AWD/4WD vehicles, but a 2WD vehicle is usually fine. The main concern is the drive to Wintergreen for dogsledding. Though the road is plowed, it is a hilly, windy, and gravel road. Many 2WD vehicles have gotten stuck in the snow on this drive. If you don’t have an AWD/4WD vehicle, carpooling with Zoo staff or another guest with an AWD/4WD vehicle is encouraged for that activity. Parking is limited at Wintergreen, so they highly encourage carpooling as well.
• Tips for dogsled guides are NOT included.
--- We recommend $10 per guest per guide for tips

Date: February 6-8, 2026
Age: 13+ with an adult (18+); max of 2 youth per adult
Cost: $749/person; single room supplement available for additional $118.

Solo Travelers
You will either be assigned a roommate, or you can add the single room supplement to your order on the Add-on options page during registration. If you prefer a roommate, we will add you to the roommate list, and when another solo traveler requests a roommate, we will let you know. However, if another solo traveler is unavailable, you may be charged the single room supplement.

Registration Deadline: Friday, December 26, 2025

Activity Level
Easy | MODERATE | Challenging | Difficult
Reasons:
• Snowshoeing or hiking for about an hour and a half on a one-mile trail—trail is uneven, steep in spots, and can be slippery with ice and snow.
• Standing, holding, and balancing on to the back of a dogsled for about 2 hours with another person while driving the team.
• Persons over 250lbs and/or 6’ 6” tall may find it difficult to balance on the dogsleds.

Accommodations
The Minnesota Zoo will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all its programs, services, and activities. To request an accommodation, please contact us a minimum of two weeks prior to your EdVenture. Submit requests to Web: MNZoo.org/Accessibility, Phone: 651.539.6596 (voice) or 1.800.627.3529 (TTY), Email: [email protected].

Itinerary & Packing List
Check out the Tentative Itinerary & Packing List for this trip.

The itinerary may be altered due to weather, and suitable replacements will try to be scheduled. Refunds will only be made under extenuating circumstances. In case of severe weather, the EdVenture will be cancelled, and a refund will be issued.