we don't stop. we just dress warmer.
Gear up for a Wild Winter.
Photo © hashtag photography
Adventure Sports Thrill
IN THE ST. CROIX VALLEY
Snow sports lovers rejoice. Your season is here. Historically, over 50 inches of snow makes its way to Taylors Falls, MN and St. Croix Falls, WI during winter. To some, that means packing it in and dreaming of spring, but not here. Here, we unpack. We bust out skis and snowboards and get ‘em waxed and ready. We inflate snow tubes and fat bike tires. We rev up snowmobiles and gas their tanks. We dust off winter jackets, snowpants, long underwear, hats, gloves, mittens, wool socks, boots… Here, we gear up. Winter is upon us and we have no intention of hibernating. If snow and ice are your passion and cold air feeds your fire, gear up and join us this winter. In the St. Croix Valley, adventure awaits around every corner.
The trails and parks of the St. Croix Valley are some of the best in the nation for snow sport enthusiasts of all methods of enjoyment and levels of experience. Some of the world’s most unique geology is found here, creating some interesting terrain and phenomenal views. Just make sure to slow down every once in a while and take it all in!
Take it to the limit with the perfect blend of speed and control on a run that seems exactly manicured to your ability and excitement expectations. Trollhaugen and Wild Mountain combine to offer 50 runs and eight freestyle terrain parks catered to all skill levels.
World class Nordic ski trails span over 160 kilometers in the St. Croix Valley area, expertly groomed for classic or skate-style skiing. Hotspots trailhead along the St. Croix River from William O’Brien State Park in Marine on the St. Croix, MN to Wild River State Park in Center City, MN, with lots more to discover in between. Experience a variety of terrain and elevations and enjoy night skiing on lighted loops.
Excitement for the whole family! These chute-style runs are groomed specifically for tubing. Each hill has either a conveyor belt or tow rope to get you back up to the top and ready for your next run.
Soar through some of the St. Croix Valley’s exquisite geology on one of our world class snowmobile trails. The Gandy Dancer Trail’s former rail bed surface provides smooth sailing for 48 miles throughout Polk County. Or map your ride from over 550 miles of prime trails that crisscross throughout the area.
Whether you’ve been biking fat for years or just getting involved in this growing sport, the St. Croix Valley has just the trail for you. Many of the Woolly Bike Trails that traverse St. Croix Falls, WI are groomed specifically for fat bike use in the winter. Hop on a fatty and extend biking season to a year-round affair.
A true test of grit and determination, the Balsam Lake Snowshoe Race covers 5K of beautiful wooded trails, starting from Pine Park. The top three men’s and women’s finishers receive awards and door prizes are open to all at the culmination of the race. Competitors may also run/walk the trail, but awards are reserved for those who snowshoe. Be sure to check our event page for the most upcoming dates for these popular events. Make a weekend out of your adventure to the St. Croix Valley: Taylors Falls, MN & St. Croix Falls, WI.
This article was written by Karen Lawrence and produced by Linda Shober Marketing + Design, a marketing firm located in the St. Croix Valley specializing in providing content, strategy, management, design, and creative for digital and traditional marketing projects.