Skiers take to

state park trails

Flandrau conditions are best in years

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- A fair number of cross country skiers enjoyed the groomed trails this weekend at Flandrau State Park.

About 8 miles of hiking trails and 7 miles of ski trails have been groomed for classic/diagonal cross-country skiing at Flandrau. A skate ski trail is groomed around the perimeter of Nehls City Park at 1200 Summit Ave.

Flandrau ski conditions are among the best that Assistant Park Manager Tom Schmitz has seen in the past few years. Ideally, another 6 inches of snow would be good to maintain the trails over a longer period, Schmitz said. As more snow falls, the park staff will re-groom trails.

Attributes of the park include a variety of birds, plenty of hills and woods that afford skiers enjoyable views, tend to preserve snow and often provide shelter from the wind.

"This is a wonderful place to ski," Schmitz said. "We often get skiers from the Twin Cities that come down for the weekend to ski, shop, and eat here while staying overnight."

Schmidt added that a warm fire was burning in the Flandrau beach house for skiers to enjoy.

Shaun Hildebrandt of New Ulm, who recently moved here from Sartell, said she enjoyed her first time skiing in the park Saturday.

"It was wonderful," Hildebrandt said. "I hope to do it often. The paths are great, the view is nice and it's not crowded."

Hildebrandt enjoyed skiing with her friends that are sisters -- Cathy Forstner of New Ulm and Lisa Mahoney of Des Moines, Iowa.

Sister Sue Torgerson of New Ulm, who moved to the area several years ago from the Chicago area, said she was glad to see there is enough snow on the ground to ski and she appreciated the park.

"It's so nice to have this beautiful park here in New Ulm," Torgerson said.

Rental equipment is available at the park office. Skis are $4, boots $3, poles $2, snowshoes $6. Complete sets are $7.

Skiers age 16 and older need a ski trail pass. Daily passes are available in the park office at $3. Annual passes are $10 and three-year passes are $25. They can be purchased where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

Minnesota state park motorized vehicle entrance permits are $7 for one day and $25 for one year.

Wildlife at Flandrau include white-tailed deer, raccoons and many types of birds common to wooded, river-bottom areas. Maps are available in the park office.

State park winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 233-9800 or e-mail tom.schmitz@dnr.state.mn.us or gary.teipel@dnr.state.mn.us for more information.

Meanwhile, Fort Ridgely State park near Fairfax also offers ski trails and a sliding hill.

Five miles of cross country ski trails were reported to be in good condition and 11 miles of snowmobile trails and a long sliding hill were reported in fair to good condition at Fort Ridgely. The park is located 6 miles south of Fairfax or 10 miles north of Sleepy Eye on State Highway 4.

Fort Ridgely wildlife includes white-tailed deer, red and gray foxes, raccoons, minks, beavers, hawks, owls, Canada geese, wild turkeys, reptiles and many songbirds. For more information, call 507-426-7840.

For statewide DNR information, call 1-888-MINNDNR and visit www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks