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Old 01-25-2010, 06:37 PM
 
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Does anyone know where are the closest places to Minneapolis one can go cross-country skiing AND rent the equipment (poles, skis..) on site? I live in the Uptown area. I see people skiing on the lakes but I assume they are usually using their own stuff.

Thanks for your help!
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Old 01-25-2010, 06:41 PM
 
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Woodlake Nature Center in Richfield has cross country ski trails, or at least they've had them in the past. I just checked their website and they also have ski rentals. Its a pretty good environment, 150 acres of mixed marsh, prairie and woodland.
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Old 01-25-2010, 06:44 PM
 
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I don't know about "closest" but Lebanon Hills County Park in Eagan has many trails and they rent equipment. William O'Brian St. Park out by Stillwater has great trails and you can rent equipment in Marine on the St. Croix-maybe at the park now too-it's been a while since I have been there.
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Old 01-25-2010, 07:22 PM
 
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I second the Woodlake option. I haven't been there recently, either, but they have a nice trail that goes around their lake and the rental rates were reasonable. Some of the 4 buses go there. It's flat -- nothing super exciting -- but pleasant.
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Old 01-25-2010, 08:01 PM
 
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I go to Woodlake. It's $8 per adult, $4 per child or senior (free for members--$50/year for a family). There's a 3 km loop and a really short one that's great for kids. They stop renting skis at 3:30.

Hyland Park Reserve also rents equipment and has at least two loops as well as some great lessons.
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Old 01-25-2010, 08:40 PM
 
Location: Chicago
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Theodore Wirth Park (in MPLS) has about 15km of groomed trails (both classic and freestyle), rental, snow making equiptment, and lighting on one of the loops. I ski there four days a week. It's really the best option short of the big regional parks out in the suburbs.

Como Park (STPL) is the other city park with rentals, but the trails are inferior to Wirth's.

Baker Park (in Medina) has the best trails in the metro area, but is a good 40 minutes from the city.
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Old 01-25-2010, 09:58 PM
 
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Not an answer to your question, but in case you haven't heard of it yet, the City of Lakes Loppet is fast approaching: City of Lakes Loppet. There are tons of events, including some for casual skiers, although I'm not sure if they'll have ski rentals available right in Uptown or not.
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Old 01-28-2010, 09:22 PM
 
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Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Sounds like I have some decent options.
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Old 01-28-2010, 09:29 PM
 
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Hmmm...can anyone say how Wirth park and Woodlake compare? We're both beginner skiers.
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Old 01-28-2010, 10:06 PM
 
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I've never skied at Wirth before, but can attest that Woodlake is very beginner-friendly. I believe Wirth Park has a greater variety of trails, while Woodlake is pretty much all accessible to beginners.

I know Wirth Park has beginner ski lessons, if you're interested; I don't know if Woodlake does.

There's still several months left of winter; plenty of time to check both out! (there's an attempt to look on the positive side of things, weather-wise...)
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