Both downhill and cross-country skiers will discover plenty of opportunities to enjoy their winter sports on the Lake Country Scenic Byway. There are premier trail systems in the Byway’s parks, forests and the Chippewa National Forest. Many shorter trails, both interpretive and natural, can be found throughout the Byway area.

DOWNHILL

Detroit Mountain in Detroit Lakes offers downhill & cross-country ski hills with slopes and a half-pipe for snowboarders.

CROSS-COUNTRY

Cross-country skiing is a wonderful way to discover the beauty of northwoods nature in winter. Trails take skiers on voyages ranging from the challenging to the beautiful, through interpretive areas to quiet, winter-hushed corners of the woods you never knew existed. Cross-country ski trails abound in the eight state and national forests and state park along the Lake Country Scenic Byway routes.

Winter Wonderland Trail System

66 km. of groomed and ungroomed trails through hardwood forests, lakes and the Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge. Near Detroit Lakes.

Itasca State Park

58 km. of groomed trails through areas with large red pine, historic sites, Lake Itasca, wildlife, the North Country National Scenic Trail, the Headwaters and wilderness areas. Chippewa National Forest - Near Walker

Hiram Trail — 8 km

Shingobee Recreation Trail — 12 km

Maplelag Trail

53.0 km of trails. Trail runs through maple and basswood forest and around several lakes; trails range from beginnerto expert. Located 20 miles NE of Detroit Lakes.

Soaring Eagles Trail

12.0 km trackset. 1.5 km skate-ski. Groomed trails run through 480 acres of state land, with rolling hills, red pine, maple and birch forest. Maps along trail. Located north of Park Rapids.

North Country National Scenic Trail

68-mile hiking trail, part of North Country National Scenic Trail that threads its way around numerous lakes and wetlands in a pine and hardwood forest. Near Walker. The trail is not finished through portions of Hubbard County.

Goose Lake Recreation Area

14.7 miles of groomed trail. Mostly beginner level trails that wind over gently rolling hills of mature red pine and new pine plantings, and wetlands around Goose Lake. Located near Walker.

Dunton Locks Trails

5.6 km of ski trail located near Detroit Lakes.

East Frazee Trail

16.0 km trackset of mostly beginner trails. Trail runs through forest and meadows. Located on the east side of Frazee.

Rainbow Resort Cross-Country Ski Trails–Located on Little Bemidji Lake

Over 10 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails. Groomed 12 feet wide, for classic and skate skiing.

AREA EVENTS

MARCH

Lotvola Cup Cross-Country Ski Race at Maplelag, Detroit Lakes

For more information contact the local chamber of commerce:

Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber:
http://www.visitdetroitlakes.com

Park Rapids Area Chamber:
http://www.parkrapids.com

Leech Lake Area Chamber:
http://www.leech-lake.com

Itasca State Park:
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us