The Wirth Winter Recreation Area is now closed for the season and cross-country ski trails are no longer being groomed. See you next winter!
With 20 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails, the Minneapolis Park System has a trail for skiers of all ages and abilities.
The Wirth Winter Recreation Area offers 15 miles (25 km) of trails that are groomed daily for both classical style and skate skiing, depending on conditions.
The difficulty of trails range from beginner to advanced. Trails vary from open sections along the Theodore Wirth Par 3 Golf Course with spectacular views of Downtown Minneapolis, to wooded trails overlooking scenic Twin Lake.
The cross-country ski trails connect to 5 additional miles of groomed Chain of Lakes trails, allowing you to ski from Golden Valley to Uptown! Explore the groomed trails at Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha Golf Clubs, and around Brownie and Cedar Lakes, and Lake of the Isles.
When there is adequate snow coverage on ski trails throughout Wirth Park, skiers with their own equipment are encouraged to park at Wirth Lake (3200 Glenwood Ave. N), where access is available to the trail system throughout Wirth Park. Wirth Lake serves as a parking option in addition to the parking lots located adjacent to the Wirth Chalet and Par 3 building, which may reach capacity with use by skiers and other winter park users.
Required on all Minneapolis ski trails for individuals ages 13 and older
A Cross-Country Ski Pass is your ticket to enjoying all of the groomed ski trails throughout the City of Minneapolis. Pay for your daily or season pass online and pick up in person at the Wirth Chalet or Wirth Par 3 Clubhouse.
Season Pass: Now $25 + tax through the end of the season (regularly $45 + tax) Additional Season Pass: $25 + tax Daily Pass: $8 + tax
Buy an Annual or Daily Ski Pass Online** or call 763-522-4584 for more information. ** Upon paying for a ski pass online, please present your receipt at the Wirth Chalet or Wirth Par 3 Clubhouse to acquire the pass.
Classical Cross-Country Ski Lessons
Saturdays 1-3 pm
You don't have to be an experienced skier to take advantage of the trails. Whether a novice, expert or recreational skier, there are multiple cross-country ski options available at the Wirth Winter Recreation Area. Sign up for a classical style cross-country ski lesson to learn how to ski your way through the Wirth Winter Recreation Area and all of the connecting trails. Maximum of 10 people per session.
Cost: $30 Equipment: Bring your own boots, skis, and poles, or rent at the Wirth Par 3 Clubhouse for an additional fee prior to lesson.
For more information contact Head Instructor Greg at gregklave@msn.com or call 763-228-2899
Cross-Country Ski Equipment Rental - Now Closed for the Season
Don't have your own gear? We offer ski, boot and pole rental for children and adults in the Wirth Par 3 Clubhouse. A deposit of a driver's license or $5 per person or group is required.
School's Out Instructors have a day of fun planned for your kids at the Wirth Winter Recreation Area. Camps include beginner cross-country ski lessons, beginner Learn-to-Ride snowboard instruction, snow tubing, rental equipment, plus lunch and warm refreshments in the Wirth Chalet.
Cancellation: 24 hours' notice is required for School's Out Camp cancellations. Call the Wirth Chalet at 763-522-4584.
Skijoring
Head out for some exercise with your four-legged friend this winter! Skijoring a growing winter sport in which a dog assists a cross-country skier. The skier and the dog each wear a harness, and are connected by a length of rope. Skijoring is available in the Front-9 and in the J.D. Rivers/Wirth Lake areas. For safety reasons, skijoring is not allowed on the remainder of the Wirth Winter Recreation Area trails.
The "Back-9" 2 km advanced and 2.5 km intermediate
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.
Parking: Wirth Chalet Parking Lot or Par 3 Parking Lot
The "Front-9" 3 km gently rolling easy terrain
Across the street from the main Chalet, the Front-9 offers a spectacular view of downtown Minneapolis and connects to the South Wirth Trails via an easy path that takes skiers underneath Highway 55.
Parking: Wirth Chalet Parking Lot or Par 3 Parking Lot
J.D. Rivers/Wirth Lake Trails 4 km beginner to intermediate
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.
Parking: Wirth Beach Parking Lot
Eloise Butler/Erickson Trails 4 km intermediate to advanced
loop
This is a unique wooded area that takes skiers around the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and through the Bryn Mawr and Anwatin School grounds. The trail is 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.
Parking: Wirth Beach Parking Lot
Quaking Bog/Norm Oakvik Trails 1.5 km intermediate loop and 2.5 km advanced loop
Enjoy two distinct loops: a 1.5 kilometer intermediate trail to the north trail to the south. Wooded and remote-feeling, the Norm Oakvik Trails are reminiscent of skiing in northern Minnesota with stands of pine along the way. These trails lead directly to the Chain of Lakes trails via a unique connection across Interstate 394, and through the Brownie Tunnel.
Parking: Wirth Beach Parking Lot
Ski 0.5 kilometers through the Erickson/Eloise Butler trails to the Wirth Parkway road crossing, or ski up from the Chain of Lakes trail.
Parking and Passes for the Cross-Country Ski Trail System:
Wirth Chalet Parking Lot Wirth Parkway and Plymouth Ave. between Highway 55 and Duluth St./Golden Valley Road
Trail passes are available in the Wirth Chalet
Wirth Par 3 Parking Lot Just south/west of the Wirth Chalet
Trail passes and rentals are available in the Wirth Chalet and the Wirth Par 3 building.
Wirth Beach Parking Lot Glenwood Ave. between Wirth Parkway and Xerxes
There are no indoor facilities or ski passes available at this location.
Volunteer Ski Ambassadors
Our Ski Ambassadors check ski passes and patrol the cross-country ski trails throughout the Minneapolis parks.
Ambassadors are needed at Wirth, Hiawatha, Gross and Columbia parks.
Cross-Country Skiers Enjoy Winter on the Minneapolis Trails
"One of the highlights of the coming winter will be introducing my husband and 3- and 5-year-old boys to the joys of cross-country skiing. They've never done it and I want them to love it as much as I do. We're in striking distance of Wirth and can't WAIT to get out on those trails!" - R.R.
"I consider Wirth one of best . . . I love how close to the city it is, yet it still has the feel of the quiet Northwoods. Bring on the powder!" - A.P.
"I love skiing at Wirth because it's the hilliest and most varied terrain you can find within a half-hour drive from my house. With the short, fast climbs, it reminds me a bit of skiing World Cup race courses in Europe." - P.E.
"My favorite Wirth memories include skiing in circles around my dad with my brother when we were in high school, to skiing the Loppet with my kids and watching them race there while they were in high school. I also enjoy running into friends almost every time I ski there." - C.S.
Parking and Passes for the Cross-Country Ski Trail System: