Theodore Wirth Park, 1339 Theodore Wirth Parkway, is a winter sports-lover’s paradise with 25km of trails. Depending upon conditions, trails are groomed for both classical style and skate skiing. There are a range of trails from beginner to advanced. The Back-9 section includes the Hap Lutter Loop - a 2.5 kilometer lighted loop with snowmaking capabilities. Call Theodore Wirth Chalet for details, 763-522-4584.

• Hap and Judy Lutter Trails: Just outside of Wirth Chalet, the Back-9 includes the Hap Trail (lighted with snowmaking capabilities), the Judy Loop, a 2 kilometer advanced loop, and the Back-40/Prairie Loop – 2.5 kilometers of intermediate skiing. Trails vary from open golf course sections to wooded trails overlooking scenic Twin Lake.

• The Front-9: Across the street from Wirth Chalet, the Front-9 includes 3 kilometers of gently rolling terrain with a spectacular view of the city skyline. The Front-9 connects to the South Wirth Trails via an easy path that takes skiers underneath Highway 55.

• J.D. Rivers/Wirth Lake Trails: Off Glenwood Ave., enjoy 4 kilometers of beginner to intermediate terrain. The J.D. Rivers section is mostly open with the Jar Hill section on the west side of Wirth Lake providing a wooded section around a small prairie area.

• Eloise Butler/Erickson Trails: This is a unique wooded area bounded by Interstate 394 to the south, Glenwood Ave. to the north, Wirth Parkway to the west and the Bryn Mawr Neighborhood to the east. A 4 kilometer loop on intermediate to advanced trails takes skiers around the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and through the Bryn Mawr and Anwatin School grounds.

• Quaking Bog/Norm Oakvik Trails: Enjoy two distinct loops: a 1.5 kilometer intermediate trail to the north and a 2.5 kilometer advanced trail to the south. Wooded and remote-feeling, the Norm Oakvik Trails are reminiscent of skiing in northern Minnesota with stands of pine trees along the way. These trails connect directly to the Chain of Lakes, with a unique connection across Interstate 394 and through the Brownie Lake Tunnel.

Columbia Golf Club, 3300 Central Ave. NE, features an 8km trail, equipment rental and concessions inside the Clubhouse. Call Columbia Clubhouse for details, 612-789-2627.

Gross National Golf Club, 2201 St. Anthony Blvd., has a groomed 3.7km trail. Clubhouse is closed during winter, but trail is open. . Call Theodore Wirth Chalet for details, 763-522-4584.

Hiawatha Golf Club, 4553 Longfellow Ave., features a gentle 4.1km classic and skate trail with a great view of the Minneapolis skyline. Clubhouse is closed during winter, but trail is open. Call Theodore Wirth Chalet for details, 763-522-4584.

SKI PASSES
Maintaining and grooming the ski trails, and making snow are costly endeavors. A ski pass is required on all groomed trails in the Minneapolis Park System for individuals age 12 and up. Purchase passes online at www.theodorewirth.org or at the Theodore Wirth Chalet, the Theodore Wirth Par-3 Clubhouse or the Columbia Clubhouse. Daily Ski passes are $7, season passes are $40.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL
Ski equipment is available for rental at the Wirth Chalet and Columbia Clubhouse: Skis- $5*; Poles- $2*; Boots- $4*; Package- $10*

Supplies are limited, especially in children’s sizes.

*Deposit of a driver's license or $5 per person or group is required.

LESSONS
Never been on skis before? Wirth Winter Recreation Area offers lessons for beginners of all ages. Lessons are available on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Beginners take one lesson designed to teach the very basics. Lessons are 1½ hours in length. Registration prior to scheduled classes is recommended because a minimum of four students is needed to hold a lesson. Walk-ins are welcome if there is room in an unfilled class. The lesson fee is $20. Call 612-370-3926 for registration and class time availability.

SKIJORING
Skijoring (a dog pulling the skier) is available in the Wirth Front-9 and in the J.D. Rivers/Wirth Lake areas. For safety reasons, skijoring is not allowed on the remainder of the Theodore Wirth trails. Skijorers are required to leash and pick up after their dogs, subject to City of Minneapolis ordinances.

NOTES:
Wirth Chalet regular season (Jan. 2-Mar. 7) hours: Monday-Friday 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Season preview (Dec. 19-Jan. 1) hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sundays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Holiday and school release day hours: Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 25, closed; Jan. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 15, and Feb, 26, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Columbia Clubhouse hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, Minneapolis public holidays and school release days.

There is no equipment rental at Gross and Hiawatha Golf Clubs and Clubhouses are not open during winter.

Meadowbrook Golf Club and Clubhouse are closed during winter; cross country skiing is not available at Meadowbrook.

For more information visit www.minneapolisparks.org – Activities & Programs – Outdoor Winter Recreation – Cross Country Skiing or call 612-230-6400.