Cross-Country Skiing
Ramsey County provides 25 miles of marked and groomed cross-country ski trails at five locations.
Ramsey County trails are funded in part by the Minnesota DNR Grant-In-Aid program.
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Trail locations and conditions
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. (Monday, March 11, 2019, 2:45 p.m.)
Firsthand trail reports are often available on skinnyski.com.
Trail rating guide
- Excellent: Track freshly set or in similar condition with consistent base. No bare spots. No ice.
- Good: Track in condition near to freshly set. Some bare spots not seriously affecting ski ability. Some icy spots.
- Fair: Track beginning to deteriorate, some areas of track obliterated. Some bare spots beginning to affect ski ability. Icy spots beginning to affect ski ability.
- Poor: Track deteriorated over much of trail. Lots of bare spots. Icy spots beginning to affect ski ability.
- Closed: Lack of snow or dangerously icy or extremely cold conditions.
Ski rules and trail guidelines
- Trail hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Skiing on lighted trails is permitted until 9 p.m.
- A Minnesota State Ski Pass is required to ski on all trails for skiers age 16 and above.
- Groomed trails are for cross-country ski use only. No snowshoeing, hiking, skijoring, sledding or pets.
- Skate skiing permitted at the Battle Creek West trail only.
- Motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails.
- Ski trails are one-way unless otherwise marked.
- Observe all arrows and do not enter signs.
- Ski only on marked and groomed trails.
Races and special events
Cross-country ski trails are available for use for team practices, races and other special events. A Special Use Permit is required for such events. Contact Parks & Recreation for more information.
Download the practice/meet request form. (PDF)
View cross-country ski meet schedules.
Battle Creek Regional Park East
Trail access is available from the parking lot at 2300 Lower Afton Road, Maplewood, MN 55119.
Current condition
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. (Monday, March 11, 2019, 2:45 p.m.)
Trail features
- 6K of classic (no skating) trails.
- Easier to more difficult.
Battle Creek Regional Park West
Trail access is available at parking lot located at 75 Winthrop Street S, Saint Paul, MN, 55106 (next to the City of Saint Paul's Battle Creek Recreation Center).
The Winthrop Street site was redeveloped to provide cross-country enthusiasts with one of the premier facilities in the metro area. Skiing events are regularly organized by Endurance United.
Current condition
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. (Monday, March 11, 2019, 2:45 p.m.)
Trail features
- 1K easier trails.
- 1.75K more difficult trails.
- 7K most difficult trails.
- Classic and skating trails.
- 4K of lighted trails. Trails are lighted from sunset to 9 p.m.
Grass Lake
Trail access is available from the parking lot at 500 Gramsie Road, Shoreview, MN 55126.
Current condition
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. Monday, March 11, 2019, 2:45 p.m.)
Trail features
- 3K two-way classic ski trail (no skating).
- Suited for novice skiers.
- Wooded areas and marshland.
Vadnais-Sucker Lakes
Trail is accessible from parking lots on the north and south sides of County Road F, two blocks east of Rice Street in Vadnais Heights.
Current condition
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. (Monday, March 11, 2:45 p.m.)
Note: Saint Paul Regional Water Services is removing buckthorn and dead and diseased trees from the east side of Sucker Lake throughout the 2017-18 winter. Trail access and conditions on the east side will be regularly impacted.
Trail features
- Two different two-way classic ski trails (no skating).
- Sucker Lake trail: 3K easier to more difficult loop.
- Vadnais Lake trail: 4.3K easier two-way loop
- Both trails are primarily wooded with lake views.
Tamarack Nature Center
Tamarack Nature Center is situated on 320 acres of beautiful prairies, woodlands and marshland.
Current condition
Ski trails are groomed and track has been set. Ski trails are in good condition. (Monday, March 11, 2:45 p.m.)
Trail features
- 4K more difficult loop.
- 3K easier loop.
- 1K practice loop.
- Beautiful prairie, woodland and marsh setting with abundant wildlife.
- Ski and snowshoe rental available during select hours.
- Ski and snowshoe lessons available.
Learn to ski
Cross-county ski and snowshoe classes are offered at Tamarack Nature Center for both youth and adults.