Whether you live in Bloomington, Minnesota, or are just visiting, you should take advantage of the winter weather and enjoy a day of cross country skiing. There are several excellent spots in the area to explore while on your skis.
Como Park Ski Center
Como Park Ski Center features more than five kilometers of groomed cross country trails. Rentals are available for skiers who don’t own their own equipment. The center’s friendly and knowledgeable staff offer lessons for all ages and skill levels. After a day spent skiing on the beautiful, snowy trails, you can warm up at the ski center’s chalet with a cup of hot chocolate.
Carver Park Reserve
Carver Park Reserve offers a variety of trails for skiers of different skill levels. Sugar Bush Trail and Sky Trail are two short trails that are excellent options for beginners. Both trails traverse gorgeous wooded scenery. Advanced skiers should check out King Trail. The 3.7-kilometer trail features a creek and beautiful sunset views from a hill overlooking Lundsten Lake.
Baker Park Reserve
Baker Park Reserve is another cross country ski area offering options for all skill levels. Beginners will enjoy the Evergreen Trail. It’s quiet so you can concentrate on improving your skiing. Island Trail is slightly more difficult but still provides a peaceful and serene setting. If you’re looking for a real challenge, you can take the Island Trail to the Hill Trail and then finish up on the Prairie Trail. These trails combined give you nine kilometers of cross country skiing.
Elm Creek Park Reserve
If you’re a beginner cross country skier looking to try some slopes, check out the Northern Lights Trail in Elm Creek Park Reserve. It has some relatively easy uphills and downhills. Advanced skiers will want to take on the challenging terrain of Creek Trail. For an extended ski session, start on the Valley Trail, then follow up with the Lake, Eagle, Creek, and Northern Lights trails. This 8.9-kilometer trek will take you through woods, long climbs, and long descents. Keep an eye out for area wildlife.
Hyland Lake Park Reserve
The Lake Trail at Hyland Lake Park Reserve is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate skiers. The 3.3-kilometer trail has lighting so that skiers can venture out after dusk. Best of all, the trail offers stunning views of the lake. While the reserve’s Boulder Ridge Trail is only 0.9 kilometers long, it is extremely challenging with a long climb and steep descent.
French Regional Park
If you really want to make a day of it, head to French Regional Park, which has 16.5 kilometers of ski trails. Four kilometers of those trails feature lighting. The ski area also features a variety of terrain, including meadows and hills. If you want to explore the park even further, you can strap on a pair of snowshoes and venture into the wetlands.
These are just some of the excellent spots for cross country skiing in the Bloomington area. No matter which one you choose, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.
Image courtesy Pixabay.com
Connect with us
