Where to Cross-Country Ski Near Minneapolis
For cross-country ski lovers in the Minneapolis metro area, winter brings more than just cold—it brings miles of beautifully groomed trails tucked into regional parks, city woodlands, and suburban hills. Whether you're training for the Loppet, the Birkie, or just learning how to glide on skinny skis, Minneapolis is home to one of the most robust urban Nordic ski networks in the country. Below is our guide to five great XC ski spots, all groomed regularly and all within roughly 45 minutes of the Twin Cities. Minneapolis skiing is also strongly supported by snowmaking. Almost all of the locations we will cover employ some snowmaking system and thus are fairly reliable, even in the driest winters.
We’ll cover: Theodore Wirth Park, Hyland Hills, Elm Creek, Battle Creek, and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. For bonus points or for those looking for a day trip, we will also cover a few greater Minnesota/Wisconsin iconic locations, such as: the American Birkebeiner trail, Maplelag Resort, the Vasaloppet Nordic Center, and the Gunflint Lodge.
One thing to note before we dive in: the midwest is full of ski areas. Most summer hiking trails and golf courses are groomed in the winter and there are at least a hundred or so trailheads between Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the upper peninsula of Michigan; all within a maximum six hour drive of Minneapolis-St. Paul airport.
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Theodore Wirth Park
Location & Access: Just west of downtown Minneapolis (~4 miles); trailheads at Wirth Beach, the Chalet, and The Trailhead building.
Pass Required: YES – price depends whether you’re interested in natural or man-made snow access. More info at loppet.com.
Website: Loppet.org
Total Groomed Kilometers: 50+ km classic & skate, depending on natural snowfall and including the full chain of lakes ski trail network; ~7.5km of snowmaking.
The crown jewel of urban Nordic skiing in the Midwest. Wirth Park is not just close—it’s competitive and world class. Having recently hosted a FIS World Cup in 2024, Wirth is the pinnacle for grooming, snowmaking, and ski community. Wirth is also home to the the Loppet Foundation, an outdoor-focused non-profit that hosts year-round programs, training groups, kids camps, and outdoor advocacy campaigns. The Loppet maintains the trails, the trailhead, and all facets of operations that allow Wirth to operate as one of the top XC ski destinations in North America, all within a stones throw of downtown Minneapolis.
From a trail perspective, the park features everything from lighted beginner loops to steep and punchy climbs through the back 40. Trail grooming is top-tier, often turning a dusting of snow into a skiiable surface. And when the snow doesn’t cooperate? They make it. Wirth features one of the most extensive man-made snowmaking systems for Nordic skiing in the country. Fair warning, the snowmaking loop does get crowded when natural snow is not available. Be ready to navigate skiers of all ages, abilities, and awareness levels during peak hours.
If nature cooperates, the natural snow trail network at Wirth is a truely unique experience. You can ski from the Trailhead building, around the old public golf course, across Bassett Creek, under a state highway, across a frozen lake, pop out next to the oldest public wildflower garden in the United States, go through a bog, over an interstate highway, and across four more frozen lakes. All of this is through the heart of an urban center with a population of nearly half a million. This is by far one of the most unique and interesting trail systems in the United States.
Even in good snow years, expect crowds, especially on weekends and race days (pro tip: check high school race schedules either on SkinnySki.com or the Midwest Nordic Facebook page). Parking can also be a challenge if you plan to ski at the main trailhead during a busy time of day. Come prepared with a back-up plan to either park at the old golf chalet down the road or, if natural snow trails are open, park at Wirth Lake and ski those trails. And if you're hungry afterward? The Mill Valley Market, housed within the Trailhead, serves locally-roasted coffee, beer, and paninis—because why not après ski in the city?
Amenities: Chalet with rentals, café, restrooms, warming space, sauna (for a fee, operated via 612sauna society),
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Hyland Hills Regional Park
Location & Access: Bloomington, MN (~15 miles southwest of Minneapolis); just off I-494.
Pass Required: YES – Three Rivers Park District Ski Pass
Website: https://www.threeriversparks.org/
Total Groomed Kilometers: 15 km classic & skate
Don’t be fooled by the downhill slopes and ski jump that dominate Hyland’s “skyline” as you approach—this park also has a tucked-away Nordic trail network that’s well-maintained, quiet, and surprisingly hilly. The terrain is ideal for beginner to intermediate skiers looking for a workout. Trails are wide, machine-groomed, and lit at night—perfect for an after-work loop in the dark months of January. There are also a fair amount of narrower natural snow trails that traverse rolling hills, modest woods, and a nice sized pond. When the snow cooperates, these trails can provide a northwoods feel.
Because it shares a campus with Hyland Ski & Snowboard Area, it benefits from excellent infrastructure. Parking is not really an issue. The only cramped areas here are the small chalet and the snowmaking loop that can see heavy traffic in the evenings and weekend mornings.
Amenities: Warming house, rentals, lighting on many trails.
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Elm Creek Park Reserve
Location & Access: Maple Grove, MN (\~20 miles northwest of Minneapolis)
Pass Required: YES – Three Rivers Park District Ski Pass
Website: https://www.threeriversparks.org/
Total Groomed Kilometers: 20+ km classic & skate (including snowmaking loop)
The OG snowmaking hub of the twin cities! Elm Creek is a bit out of the way and not really worth the drive but used to be your only option some winters.
Elm Creek is often considered the most beginner-friendly XC ski area near the Twin Cities. With reliable grooming, a 2.5km lighted snowmaking loop, and a variety of terrain that dips in and out of forest and prairie, Elm Creek offers something for every level. This is where many schools and clubs train, but the wide trails keep congestion low even on busy weekends.
Its reliable snow and early-season open dates (thanks to snowmaking) make it a great first destination when you're itching to get on skis in early December.
Amenities: Chalet with rentals, wax benches, lockers, restrooms, and vintage third ring suburb access to things like Dave & Buster’s for apres ski-ball.
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Battle Creek Regional Park
Location & Access: East side of St. Paul (\~15 miles from Minneapolis)
Pass Required: YES – Ramsey County Ski Pass
Total Groomed Kilometers: ~15 km classic & skate (with snowmaking)
Battle Creek is the East Metro’s go-to training ground, and it has the quad-burning hills to prove it. This is the top choice for skiers looking for elevation change and technical terrain. Grooming is managed by Ramsey County, and snowmaking covers key trail sections.
While it’s not as wide or polished as Elm Creek or Wirth, Battle Creek has a scrappier, wilder vibe with tighter turns and sudden climbs. It's also a hub for high school and collegiate race training, so don’t be surprised to see spandex-clad teenagers zipping by on weeknights.
Amenities: Trailhead with parking, portable restrooms, and those crisp St. Paul vibes
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Lebanon Hills Regional Park
Location & Access: Eagan, MN (~20 miles south of Minneapolis)
Pass Required: YES – Dakota County Ski Pass
Website: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/parks/parksTrails/LebanonHills
Total Groomed Kilometers: ~10 km classic & skate
Lebanon Hills rounds out the list with a mellow and scenic trail system great for classic skiers and families. Loops wind around frozen lakes and through wooded hills, creating a peaceful, nature-immersive experience. The grooming here isn’t quite as frequent as at the more competitive parks, but the trails hold up well due to their lower traffic.
This is a great place to introduce someone to Nordic skiing or to enjoy a quiet Saturday glide. Just don’t expect lighting, snowmaking, or high-end amenitied; it’s old-school skiing, and that’s part of the charm.
Amenities: Parking, trailhead maps, porta-potties; no rentals on-site.
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Beyond the Metro Area…
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American Birkebeiner Trail
### Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for technical climbs (Battle Creek), snowmaking reliability (Wirth or Elm Creek), or peaceful nature loops (Lebanon Hills), the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area offers an embarrassment of riches for Nordic skiers.
For daily training, Wirth Park is unmatched in convenience and performance. If you’re chasing snow early or late in the season, Elm Creek is your best bet. And if you just want to ski until your legs fall off—Battle Creek will happily oblige.
With world-class trails inside city limits and dozens more in the surrounding metro, Minneapolis just might be the best big city in America for cross-country skiing.
