A number of people ski on a snowy trail outside a chalet.
skiers glide past a large ski chalet
snowboarder going over a rail
A ski instructor teaches two young kids how to downhill ski.
kids in snow tubes
A snowboarder in mid-air over a pipe
two women pose for picture holding ski poles
Snowboarder coming off a jump

Douglas F. Bryant Winter Recreation Area

The Winter Recreation Area at Elm Creek features a lighted tubing hill with lifts and snowmaking, a beginner-level downhill ski and snowboard hill and almost 18K of cross-country ski trails.

Main Number:

763-694-7894
12400 James Deane Parkway
Maple Grove, MN 55369

Cross-Country Ski Trails

Monday–Sunday: 5 AM–10 PM

Chalet & Cross-Country Rentals

Monday–Friday: 9 AM–9 PM

Saturday & Sunday: 8 AM–9 PM

Season Update: Cross-Country Ski Trail and Chalet Now Open!

The first 2K of cross-country ski trail is now open! The chalet and cross-country rentals are available during regular business hours:

  • Monday–Friday: 9 AM–9 PM
  • Saturday & Sunday: 8 AM–9 PM
A winter seasonal employee smiles at the camera. They are wearing a bright yellow winter hat, brown hooded sweatshirt, yellow and orange high-visibility vest, and a black walkie-talkie.

We're Hiring At Elm Creek's Winter Recreation Area!

We're hiring seasonal employees for the 2024-2025 ski season at Elm Creek's Winter Recreation Area, particularly:

Get great benefits, including a free season pass, competitive wages, a fast-paced environment, flexible hours and more. 

Come work where you play!

Apply Now
A ski instructor wearing a blue winter jacket, a black helmet and ski goggles smiles as she kneels in front of a child wearing a black jacket and snow pants.

SnowSports Academy

Three Rivers' SnowSports Academy offers private, semi-private or public skiing, snowboarding and telemark skiing lessons for all ages and abilities. 

You can review the Elm Creek SnowSports brochure for all offerings during the 2024-2025 ski season.

Ready to hit the slopes? Sign up for SnowSports lessons available at Elm Creek, or view all public SnowSports lessons and private SnowSports lessons. 

Learn More

Interactive Map of Elm Creek

Elm Creek PDF Maps

Find printable maps of the park on the Elm Creek Park Reserve page.

Hours, Rates & Passes

View hours, rates and season pass information for all winter activities. 

Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding

Hours, Rates & Passes

The Winter Recreation Area offers downhill skiing and snowboarding hills for beginners. View hours, rates and season pass information.

SnowSports Academy

Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, the expert instructors at the SnowSports Academy are experienced in teaching skiing and snowboarding to all ages and abilities. Choose from private, semi-private or public lessons. Check out our full offerings.

Terrain Park Development Programs

Elm Creek offers development programs for young, intermediate riders looking to advance their skills in the terrain park.

Register for Elm Creek's Team Elm – TwinTip or Team Elm – Snowboard starting Monday, September 16.

Safety on the Slopes

Three Rivers Parks is committed to promoting slope safety. Observe Your Responsibility Code and other guidelines for a great snow sports experience.

Hyland Hills Ski Area

Downhill skiing and snowboarding at Elm Creek is suitable for beginners and lessons. For more challenging hills, visit Hyland Hills Ski Area.

Minnesota Ski Area Association

MN Ski Association logoThe Winter Recreation Area of Elm Creek is a member of the Minnesota Ski Area Association. 

Cross-Country Skiing

Trails

Elm Creek offers 18.3K of groomed cross-country ski trails, including 5.8K with lights and 2.5K with snowmaking. Lessons are available! Learn more about cross-country skiing at Three Rivers, and check trail conditions before you visit.

Passes

Get your annual pass today!

Tubing

Speed down the tubing hill at Elm Creek and catch a ride back to the top on a moving sidewalk. Learn more about tubing at Elm Creek.

Sledding

What's better than the thrill of flying down a snow-covered hill on a chilly winter day? Grab your sled and head to the Winter Recreation Area for hours of fun. Check hill conditions here before you head out.

Upcoming Winter Recreation Events

Minnesota Nordic Ski Opener

Dec. 7 | Elm Creek
Celebrate cross-country skiing at this free festival! Enjoy a day of ski tours, lessons, rentals and more.

Learn More
A ski patroller in a red jacket, blue goggles, and black helmet goes down the snow-covered hill on skis.

Volunteer

Three Rivers Alpine Patrol

Three Rivers Alpine Patrol is a unique volunteer opportunity in the Twin Cities for individuals aged 15 and above who are proficient in their alpine activity. The trainings to become a patroller are hosted locally and take about a year to complete.

Participants will:

  • Obtain National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care certification, following successful completion of the program. No medical experience is required.
  • Sharpen their skills through Alpine and toboggan handling certification.
  • Enjoy Park District and National Ski Patrol discounts once they complete the training program and become a full patroller. 

Prerequisite information sessions will be held in late November or early December and late February. More information to come on the dates and times for these sessions.

Questions? Email skipatrol@threeriversparks.org for more information.

LEARN MORE