Winter Play Day
February 25, 2023
Embrace winter at Winter Play Day!
Check out the full lineup of events, free activities, and learn how to get your free day passes and make online reservations for select free equipment rentals below:
- A festival at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
- Free rentals on cross-country skis, snowshoes and sleds
- Free activity passes for dog off-leash areas, cross-country ski trails and archery areas
- Discounted rates on tubing and downhill skiing and snowboarding at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area
- Free kicksled demos and campfires with s'mores at select locations
Festival at Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Join us at Hyland Lake Park Reserve for a festival event from 1–4:30 PM!
Featuring:
- Join free mini-lessons and demonstrations about snow-making and more
- Try a new activity with free walk-up rentals for snowshoes, cross-country skis and adaptive sit-ski equipment
- Browse a winter market featuring local vendors
- Participate in interactive nature education and exploration activities, including a trail ride and winter fun walk in the park
- From 1–3:30 PM, enjoy live music by Brotherhood of Birds, recently voted one of the best new bands of 2022 by First Avenue and The Current
- Warm up with warm beverages, food and local microbrews in the food tent and at the A'BriTin Hitch & Sip bar trailer. Bring your reusable mug or compostable cup for a free cocoa, cider or coffee from Lucky's 13.
- Warm up at bonfires throughout the festival
- Explore the park and look for the ice sculpture
- Have fun with snow in the Snow Play Area, where you can paint snow or explore the quinzhee (shelter built out of snow)
After dark, enjoy cross-country skiing through lantern-lit trails until 7:30 PM.
Free S'mores
Join us by the campfire to make s'mores, from 10 AM–3 PM, while supplies last, at the following locations:
Discounts on Winter Activities at Elm Creek
Get reduced-price tubing all day at Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area! Advanced reservations are required and can be made online starting Saturday, February 11. Subject to availability.
After 3 PM, get discounted lift tickets for snowboarding and skiing. Snowboard and downhill ski rentals are first-come, first-served.
Free Cross-Country Ski Passes & Rentals
Starting Saturday, February 18, reserve your free cross-country ski rental, and, on February 25, get your free day pass online.
Rentals are available at the following locations:
- Baker Park Reserve
- Carver Park Reserve
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Elm Creek Park Reserve
- French Regional Park
- Hyland Lake Park Reserve
Make sure to check trail conditions before you head out!
Free Archery Passes
Get your free activity pass on February 25 online.
Free Snowshoe Rentals
Starting Saturday, February 18, reserve your free snowshoe rental.
Rentals are available at the following locations:
- Baker Park Reserve
- Cleary Lake Regional Park
- Eastman Nature Center
- French Regional Park
- Gale Woods Farm
- Lowry Nature Center
- Mississippi Gateway Regional Park
- Richardson Nature Center
Have your own snowshoes? See the full list of parks with snowshoeing trails!
Free Kicksled Demos
Try a kicksled at the following locations from 10 AM–3 PM:
Learn more about kicksledding on our blog!
Free Sled Rentals
Sled rentals are available at the following locations:
See all sledding hill locations and conditions.
Free Dog Off-Leash Passes
Get your free day pass online on February 25! (A pass is required at all dog off-leash areas.)
Share Your Play Day with Us
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