Discover the fun of snow sports on National Winter Trails Day, Saturday, Jan. 8

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Discover the fun of snow sports on National Winter Trails Day, Saturday, Jan. 8
(Released January 6, 2011)


A special event at Fort Snelling State Park from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 - which is National Winter Trails Day - will provide opportunities for people to discover the fun of snow sports and try them out for free, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Event calendar: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/events/index.html?keywords=stpk&month=1&year=2011

 
Outdoor experts from the park, REI, and other local organizations will show park visitors of all ages how to snowshoe, geocache, and ice fish, as well as how to camp and keep warm in cold weather. Visitors can also take a hike with a naturalist, learn about skijoring and dogsledding, build snowmen, make ice luminaries, and enter a sweepstakes to win a new pair of snowshoes. Between activities, they can warm up with hot cocoa around a bonfire.

Fort Snelling State Park is located on Post Road off State Highway 5, just west of the main terminal exit for the International Airport in St. Paul. Demonstrations and activities will take place at and around Picnic Shelter A.

All of the Winter Trails Day activities are free, but a vehicle permit is required to enter Minnesota state parks. Permits - $5 for the day or $25 for unlimited access to all 73 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas for 12 months - are available at the park office. The new annual permit features Bear Head Lake State Park, which was voted America’s Favorite Park in August.

For more information about National Winter Trails Day activities at Fort Snelling State Park, call 612-725-2724.

For information about activities taking place at other Minnesota state parks and recreation areas on Jan. 8 - including cross-country ski lessons at Glacial Lakes State Park, a snowshoe-lacing class at Lake Bronson State Park, and a program on winter trout fishing at Whitewater State ParK - call the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.