January 2010
Celebrate winter
We have 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails through the woods. Snow conditions are excellent with a 12 to 14″ base.
Cross country skiing is great at Soaring Eagle Ski Trail and Itasca State Park. Both have warming facilities.
Ice on our lakes is 12 to 14″ thick so ice fishing is great. Do use caution, however, on lake areas where there is standing water or flowage.
So…If your New Year’s resolution is to come out of hibernation and celebrate winter, you’ve come to the right place.
A foot of snow whitens the landscape, making a picture perfect scene anywhere you look. But it’s not just pretty to look at. Hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile and cross country ski trails take visitors to scenic vistas and hidden parts of the forest. Or if ice fishing is more to your liking for winter fun, our lakes have enough ice to plant a fish house and drop a line in pursuit of a fresh catch.
Winter lodging facilities offer a cozy place to warm up by the fire or in the pool, hot tub or sauna at day’s end. And you will find fine dining, fun shops and more to do, too.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources updates snow and trail conditions in weekly reports updated after 2 p.m. every Thursday at www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html. And our Chamber Website provides information about trail riding and cross country skiing possibilities as well as available lodging, dining and other things to see and do while you’re here. If you time your stay, you can sample one of the following fun winter activities:
Soaring Eagle Fun Day is planned from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Soaring Eagle Ski Trails. Fun Day will be a low key family friendly event for both new and experienced cross country skiers. Organizers plan to have games for kids, door prizes, a campfire, cookies and hot chocolate in the warming house. Bring your own skis or check-out the new ski equipment. For more information please call Janine at 218-732-4589 or visit www.itascatur.org. In case of extremely cold weather, Fun Day will be rescheduled.
The Northern Light Opera Company will present “The Old Maid & The Thief” at Long Lake Theater in Hubbard. Enjoy the production at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 & 16 and at 3 p.m. Jan. 17. Tickets are on sale at Beagle Books in Park Rapids or contact Paul & Pat Dove at 218-732-7096.
Menahga’s Family Fishing Derby on Spirit Lake offers prizes and a day of fishing fun Saturday, Jan. 23. For more information, call Dorothy Ollanketo at 218-564-47545.
In the evening Saturday, Jan. 23, the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club hosts the annual SnoDeo Weekend Dance at the Eagles Club in Park Rapids. For more information, please call Cheryle Wilke at 218-732-5992.
A Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoe event is planned from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 at Itasca State Park. Participants are invited to gather at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center where the park naturalist will guide you to the trail to ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon. This event is dependent on weather and snow. For more information, please call 218-699-7251.
Tickets are now on sale for the 12th annual Community Fishing Contest on Fish Hook Lake Saturday, Feb. 6. The grand prize in this year’s raffle is a 2010 XLT Ford Truck. Sixty other raffle prizes will be awarded. Fishing prizes – for the 10th largest fish caught in any category – are an Ice Castle Fish House. In conjunction with the fishing contest, the American Legion also sponsors a Medallion Treasure Hunt, starting Jan. 7. Tickets for the fishing contest at $40 each are available at the American Legion or call 218-732-3360. For more information, go to www.parkrapidsfishingderby.com.
A new year brings new beginnings. If you’ve resolved to come out of hibernation and need help planning a memorable and affordable visit or if you have questions, call our friendly staff at 800-247-0054 to learn more.